While preserving your natural teeth is always the goal, tooth extraction is sometimes necessary to protect your overall oral health. Our Newport Beach dentists may recommend a tooth be removed when damage, infection, or other issues cannot be resolved with restorative care. We understand that the idea of losing a tooth can be stressful, but we’re here to guide you every step of the way – and help you explore your options for restoring your smile, if needed.

Common Reasons for Tooth Extraction
Tooth Extraction Procedure
Tooth Extraction Recovery
Tooth Replacement After Extraction

What Are the Most Common Reasons for Tooth Extraction?

Although tooth extraction is typically considered a “last resort,” some of the most common reasons it may be necessary include:

Severe decay or damage that compromises the structure of the tooth
Advanced gum disease
Impacted teeth (e.g. wisdom teeth)
Infection or abscess
Crowding or orthodontic concerns
Injury*

Our dentists will thoroughly evaluate your tooth and discuss all viable treatments before determining that an extraction is the best option.

How Is a Tooth Extraction Performed?

Depending on your unique needs, our dentists may send you to an experienced oral surgeon; alternatively, we may perform the extraction at our practice. Prior to the extraction, you may be administered advanced sedation dentistry methods to make the experience as comfortable as possible for you. From there, your oral surgeon or dentist will numb the treatment area with a local anesthetic before gently loosening and removing the tooth. If the tooth is broken or impacted, small incisions may be necessary. The entire process is generally very quick and relatively painless.

What Can I Expect from Tooth Extraction Recovery?

Some mild swelling, discomfort, or bleeding is normal in the first 24 to 48 hours after an extraction, but most patients find that over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication is enough to manage these side effects.

To promote a prompt recovery and avoid complications like dry socket, it’s important to:

Avoid smoking or using straws
Stick to soft foods for a few days
Keep the area clean without brushing directly over the extraction site
Follow all post-operative instructions and take medications as directed

Recovery time can vary, but most patients feel back to normal within a few days to a week. As always, we welcome you to reach out to our office with any questions as you heal.

Should I Replace an Extracted Tooth?

If the extracted tooth leaves a gap in your smile, we may recommend a dental implant to restore both function and aesthetics. In addition to providing a durable, natural-looking tooth replacement, dental implants can prevent bone loss and help maintain the alignment of your surrounding teeth. If you desire, our dentists can discuss whether implants or another type of restoration is right for you.

At Newport Beach Dental, your comfort and care are always our top priorities. If you have questions about tooth extraction or would like to schedule a consultation, feel free to contact our office.

Resources

Cleveland Clinic