Tooth Extractions In San Diego

At Harbor Family Dental, we will always try to save your tooth whenever possible. But in some cases, a tooth extraction may be the best option for removing a troublesome tooth, eliminating your pain and discomfort, and preventing further complications. Dr. Ryan Wallrich provides gentle, pain-free extractions in San Diego. Contact us now for an appointment or read on to get more information. 

Why Do I Need A Tooth To Be Extracted?

The improper growth and eruption of the wisdom teeth is the most common reason for tooth extraction. The wisdom teeth come into your mouth between the ages of 17-25, but many people do not have enough room for them. 

This leads to issues like impaction (wisdom teeth not erupting completely), wisdom teeth growing in sideways, and other such problems. If your wisdom teeth are not growing into your mouth properly, they usually must be extracted. 

Teeth may also need to be extracted if they are very damaged and can’t be saved. For example, an infected tooth that can’t be treated with a root canal may need to be removed, or a tooth that has been broken by oral trauma may need to be extracted.

Finally, extractions are sometimes required for some other dental procedures. To get a set of full-mouth dentures, for example, you must have all of your remaining teeth pulled. 

Will It Hurt To Have My Tooth Pulled?

No. Your mouth will be completely numb during the procedure, and we also offer sedation dentistry at Harbor Family Dental to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable during your treatment. 

You will feel some pain and discomfort as your mouth heals from the extraction process, but you will not feel any pain at all during the procedure, so you can get the treatment you need from Dr. Ryan Wallrich with confidence. 

How Long Does It Take To Heal After An Extraction?

It will take around 1-2 weeks to completely heal and recover after an extraction. Dr. Wallrich will provide you with a comprehensive set of instructions to follow as you recover to ensure that your mouth can heal without complications.

Will I Need Implants To Replace My Tooth? 

If you have lost one of your teeth due to gum disease, a tooth infection, or trauma to the tooth, Dr. Wallrich will usually recommend that you get a dental implant to replace your tooth. In most cases, the implant process will begin as soon as your tooth extraction site has healed.

Getting an implant immediately after losing a tooth ensures that you can quickly restore your smile and your bite, and you won’t have to worry about the effects a missing tooth will have on your appearance, or your ability to eat and speak.

In addition, getting an implant right away will help preserve your oral health, and prevent bone loss after losing a tooth. You can lose up to 25% of the bone mass below a missing tooth within the first year of tooth loss. Implants stimulate and preserve this bone, keeping your jaw healthy and strong. 

Types of Extractions

Basic

A basic extraction is when a fully erupted tooth is removed. These teeth can be seen when you smile because they have erupted through the gums. This means no surgical incisions are required to access the tooth. 

After numbing the mouth, the tooth is rocked back and forth with a dental elevator to loosen it in the socket. After it has been fully loosened, we use forceps to remove it. Then, you’re all done! A basic extraction usually takes 20 to 40 minutes unless multiple teeth need to be removed. Healing is typically 3 to 4 weeks.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that begin to erupt between the ages of 17 to 25. Despite popular belief, wisdom teeth do not inherently need to be removed. 

If there is enough space in your jaw to accommodate them and they aren’t causing any issues, then you may never have to remove them. However, if you experience recurrent infections, pain, and difficulty cleaning these teeth, then you may need to have them extracted.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Impaction due to lack of jaw space is the most common reason for wisdom teeth removal. This prevents the teeth from fully erupting through the gums. 

Symptoms that indicate your wisdom teeth are impacted include swollen and tender gums, jaw pain, bleeding gums, a foul taste in the mouth, bad breath, and difficulty opening the mouth all the way. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, they will need to be removed surgically. 

Under anesthetic, we will make an incision into your gums to reveal access to the tooth. The tooth will be sectioned into small fragments and removed similarly to a basic extraction. It can take 1 to 3 months to fully heal from a surgical extraction. 

Tips For Healing After An Extraction

The general healing timeline following an extraction is anywhere from 1 to 3 months depending on the type and location of the extraction. It’s important to carefully follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions which will help you promote faster healing, prevent infection, and prevent dry socket. 

Immediately following the extraction, your priority should be to stop the bleeding. You’ll need to bite down on the gauze for a half hour to an hour and if bleeding continues, you’ll need to change to fresh gauze. You’ll need the rest of the day to rest. 

Most of the first day will consist in trying to form a blood clot at the extraction site, placing a cold pack at the site to reduce swelling, and getting pain relief from taking anti-inflammatory pain medication. 

Avoid strenuous activity, smoking, and all forms of suction. You cannot eat any hard foods for at least a week. In the first day or 2, you’ll mostly need to consume a liquid diet but then you can incorporate soft foods that require a little more chewing.

Are Extractions Covered By Insurance?

Your dental insurance will typically cover a certain amount of preventive and restorative treatments which are deemed medically necessary. This includes extractions that are necessary due to impaction, tooth decay, infection, or some other oral health problem that would worsen if you did not get the extraction. 

Contact your insurance provider directly to find out if they cover extractions and if they have a limit. If you don’t have insurance, we offer financing options that can help you finance your treatment.

Schedule Your Extraction Consultation Today!

If you need an extraction, contact us at Harbor Family Dental today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ryan Wallrich. Extractions are completely painless because they’re performed under anesthetic, where your mouth is totally numbed. We can also administer additional sedation if desired.