Extractions
For a tooth that cannot be saved, and for deciding what fills the gap.
An extraction is the removal of a tooth that is too decayed, broken or loose to repair with a filling, crown or root canal. Dr. Malik takes it out here in the office, and tells you before he starts what your choices are for the gap it leaves.
Any of these sound familiar?
- A tooth has broken off at the gum line, or is cracked down into the root.
- Decay has gone too far for a filling, a crown or a root canal to hold the tooth together.
- Gum disease has loosened a tooth so that it moves when you press on it.
- An abscess keeps flaring up and you would rather the tooth came out than have a root canal.
- A tooth has to go before braces start, or before a denture can be made.
Start to finish.
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01
Looking at the tooth
Dr. Malik checks how much sound tooth is left and takes an X-ray to see the roots and the bone around them. He tells you plainly whether it can still be saved, what saving it would take, and what each way costs.
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02
Deciding about the gap
Before anything comes out, we talk about what goes back: an implant, a bridge, a denture, or nothing at all if it is a back tooth you can manage without. Teeth on either side tend to drift into a gap over the years, so this is worth settling early.
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03
Numbing and nitrous
Freezing goes in and is checked before anything moves. Nitrous oxide is available if you would rather not be fully alert for it.
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04
Taking the tooth out
The tooth is loosened in its socket and lifted out, and what you feel is pushing and pressure rather than sharp pain. A broken tooth or a curved root may need a small opening in the gum, or the roots separated, and a stitch or two after. Dr. Malik did a residency in oral surgery and does this work himself, and we stop if you need a break.
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05
Healing at home
You bite on gauze until the bleeding settles, then go home with written aftercare and a prescription if you need one. Rest for the day, eat soft food, and keep away from straws, smoking and hot drinks while the clot forms.
What it costs, and who pays.
A single extraction is usually one visit. What it costs depends on whether the tooth lifts out simply or has to come out surgically, and the estimate says which one Dr. Malik expects. Most dental plans cover part of an extraction. If you are replacing the tooth, the estimate covers that stage as well, so you see the whole cost before the first appointment.
Ask for a written estimateExtractions, answered.
How long does it take to heal after a tooth is pulled?
The gum closes over the socket in a week or two, and most people feel back to normal after three or four days. The bone underneath fills in over a few months, which matters if an implant is planned for the spot.
Can I go to work the next day?
Most people do after a simple extraction. After a surgical one, take the rest of that day quietly and skip heavy lifting and the gym for two or three days.
Do I have to replace the tooth?
Not always. A back molar can sometimes be left alone, but a tooth further forward changes how you chew and speak and lets the others drift. Dr. Malik tells you which kind yours is before it comes out.
I take blood thinners. Can I still have a tooth out?
Usually yes, and most people are told not to stop their medication. Tell us everything you take at the exam; for some medications Dr. Malik checks with your doctor first. He works with a lot of older patients on long medication lists.
