A tooth extraction is recommended when a tooth is too broken, infected, loose or crowded to save. The area is fully numbed, so you feel pressure but not sharp pain, and a simple extraction usually takes well under an hour. Most people feel back to normal within a few days, while the socket continues healing for several weeks. Replacing the tooth afterward, often with a dental implant, keeps nearby teeth from shifting and protects the jawbone. Wisdom teeth usually do not need to be replaced.
Can the Tooth Be Saved First?
Our first goal is always to keep your natural tooth. Many painful or damaged teeth can be restored with a filling, a root canal or a dental crown. Extraction becomes the better choice when the tooth cannot be repaired predictably, or when keeping it would put your health or nearby teeth at risk.
Common Reasons for a Tooth Extraction
- Severe decay that has destroyed too much of the tooth to restore.
- A crack that extends below the gumline or into the root.
- An infection or abscess that cannot be resolved with a root canal.
- Advanced gum disease that has left a tooth very loose.
- Impacted or problem wisdom teeth.
- Crowding, when a tooth needs to come out to make room for orthodontic treatment.
- Preparing for implant-supported dentures when the remaining teeth are failing.
Simple vs. Surgical Extractions
A simple extraction removes a tooth that is fully visible above the gums. The dentist gently loosens the tooth and lifts it out. A surgical extraction is needed when a tooth is broken at the gumline, has curved roots, or has not fully come in, as with many wisdom teeth. It may involve a small opening in the gum or removing the tooth in sections.
Both are routine procedures at our office and part of our oral surgery and tooth extraction services.
What Happens During a Tooth Extraction
- Exam and digital X-rays: Dr. Schaar checks the tooth, its roots and the surrounding bone.
- Numbing: the area is fully numbed with local anesthesia, and nitrous oxide is available if you feel anxious.
- Removal: you will feel pressure and movement, but you should not feel sharp pain.
- Bone grafting, if needed: if you plan to replace the tooth with an implant, a graft may be placed in the socket to preserve the bone.
- Gauze and instructions: you leave with gauze in place and clear aftercare steps.
Tooth Extraction Recovery Timeline
- First 24 hours: some bleeding is normal. Bite firmly on gauze, rest with your head elevated, and use a cold pack on your cheek in short intervals.
- Days 2 to 3: soreness and swelling usually peak, then begin to ease. Stick to soft foods.
- Days 4 to 7: most people feel close to normal and return to their usual routine.
- Weeks 2 and beyond: the socket keeps filling in with new tissue and bone. Keep the area clean as instructed.
What to Eat and Avoid After an Extraction
Good choices for the first few days
- Yogurt, applesauce and pudding
- Mashed potatoes, soft scrambled eggs and well-cooked pasta
- Lukewarm soup and broth
- Smoothies, eaten with a spoon rather than a straw
Avoid until you have healed
- Straws, spitting and smoking, which can dislodge the healing blood clot
- Crunchy, hard or chewy foods such as chips, nuts and popcorn
- Very hot drinks, spicy foods and alcohol
Warning Signs to Call Us About
Dry socket happens when the blood clot is lost before the socket heals, exposing the bone underneath. It most often appears two to four days after an extraction. Call us if you notice:
- Pain that gets worse after the first few days instead of better
- Pain that spreads toward your ear on the same side
- A bad taste or odor from the socket
- Fever, increasing swelling or pus
If symptoms come on suddenly, our emergency dental care team will work to see you as soon as possible.
How Much Does a Tooth Extraction Cost?
Cost depends on the tooth, whether the extraction is simple or surgical, and whether you need imaging, sedation or a bone graft. These broad national estimates are not Schaar Dental Wellness fees, but they show the typical range:
- Simple extraction: commonly about $75 to $300 per tooth.
- Surgical extraction: commonly about $200 to $650 or more per tooth.
- Impacted wisdom teeth: often more, depending on how deeply the tooth sits in the bone.
Because extractions are usually medically necessary, many dental plans cover part of the cost. We explain your options and pricing before treatment begins.
Should You Replace an Extracted Tooth?
Wisdom teeth do not need to be replaced. For most other teeth, replacement is worth considering. When a tooth is missing, the teeth beside it can drift into the gap, the opposing tooth can move out of position, and the jawbone in that spot slowly shrinks. A dental implant replaces both the root and the visible tooth, which helps protect the bone and keeps your bite stable. For pricing details, see how much dental implants cost in Victoria, TX.