Careful tooth removal when a tooth cannot be saved, with local anesthetic and sedation options to keep you comfortable.
Tooth Extractions in San Diego, CA
Sedation Available
Gentle Technique
Same-Day Appointments
A tooth extraction removes a tooth that is too decayed, broken, loose, or crowded to keep. Most extractions are done with local anesthetic in a single visit, and most patients are back to their usual routine within a few days. We only recommend removal after checking whether the tooth can be saved, and we plan how to replace it, if needed, before it comes out.
At Sunrise Dental Arts in Hillcrest, Dr. Andy Keith performs simple and surgical extractions as part of our restorative dentistry in San Diego. If dental work makes you nervous, nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation are available, and nobody here will judge how long it has been since your last visit.
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Common Reasons a Tooth Needs to Come Out
Decay and gum disease cause most extractions. A 2020 cohort study of adult patients, published through the National Library of Medicine, found that caries and periodontal disease were the most common reasons teeth were removed. Before recommending removal, we use an exam and X-rays to see whether a filling, crown, or root canal could save the tooth instead.
We may recommend an extraction for:
- Severe decay: A cavity that has destroyed too much of the tooth for a filling or crown to hold.
- Advanced gum disease: Bone loss from gum disease that has left a tooth too loose to stabilize.
- Impacted or crowded teeth: Teeth with no room to come in, most often wisdom teeth.
- Broken teeth: A fracture that runs below the gumline or into the root.
If there is a reasonable way to keep the tooth, we will explain it, along with the trade-offs, so you can decide.
Simple and Surgical Extractions
A simple extraction removes a tooth that is fully visible above the gum. After numbing the area, Dr. Keith gently loosens the tooth and lifts it out. You will feel pressure, but you should not feel sharp pain.
Surgical Extractions
A surgical extraction is used for a tooth that is broken at the gumline, has curved roots, or has not fully come in. A small opening is made in the gum, and the tooth may be removed in sections to protect the surrounding bone. Stitches are sometimes placed, and recovery takes a little longer than with a simple extraction.
Staying Comfortable During an Extraction
Local anesthetic numbs the tooth and the gum around it before anything begins. For patients who feel anxious, we also offer sedation dentistry, including nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. With IV sedation, many patients remember little of the procedure.
If you choose oral or IV sedation, plan for someone to drive you home. We go over eating, medications, and what to bring before the appointment so the day goes smoothly.
Recovery After a Tooth Extraction
Your Extraction Step by Step
Exam and X-Rays
We examine the tooth and take X-rays to see the shape of the roots, the bone around them, and how close the tooth sits to nerves or the sinus. This tells us whether a simple or surgical extraction is needed.
Comfort Planning
We review your medical history and medications, then choose the anesthetic and any sedation that fits you. If you take blood thinners or have a condition that affects healing, we plan around it in advance.
Removing the Tooth
Once the area is fully numb, the tooth is loosened and removed with care to protect the surrounding bone and gum. Gauze is placed to control bleeding, and stitches are added if needed.
Aftercare at Home
You leave with written instructions on bleeding, pain relief, eating, and cleaning. Take it easy for the rest of the day, keep your head slightly raised, and start gentle warm salt water rinses the next day.
Follow-Up and Next Steps
If you had stitches or a surgical extraction, we see you again to check healing. This is also a good time to plan a replacement tooth, such as an implant or bridge, if you have not already.
Replacing a Tooth After an Extraction
An empty space can let neighboring teeth drift and the bone in that area shrink over time, so it helps to plan a replacement before the tooth comes out. Dental implants replace the root as well as the tooth, and depending on the bone, an implant can sometimes be placed soon after the extraction. A dental bridge or a partial denture are other options.
Back teeth that you rarely see still matter for chewing, so we talk through the function and cost of each choice. We are in-network with Delta Dental and can bill most other PPO plans out-of-network. Cherry and CareCredit financing can help spread the cost.
Book a Tooth Extraction Consultation in San Diego
If a tooth is broken, loose, or painful, Dr. Andy Keith can examine it and tell you whether it can be saved or should come out, and what replacing it would involve. Our office is at 3645 Fourth Avenue in Hillcrest, open Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Contact our office or call (619) 291-2980 to request an appointment.
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FAQs
What can I eat after a tooth extraction?
For the first day, stick to cool or lukewarm soft foods such as yogurt, applesauce, smoothies eaten with a spoon, and mashed potatoes. Avoid straws, very hot drinks, and crunchy or spicy foods that could disturb the socket.
When can I go back to eating normally?
Many patients move to soft solid foods like pasta, eggs, and fish after a few days, then return to their usual diet as the area feels comfortable, often over a week or two. Keep chewing on the other side until the socket is no longer tender.
How long does it take to heal after an extraction?
Soreness usually eases within a few days, and the gum closes over the socket in the following weeks. The bone underneath keeps filling in for a few months, which is why we sometimes wait for healing before placing a replacement tooth.
What is dry socket, and how can I avoid it?
Dry socket happens when the blood clot in the socket breaks down or comes loose too early, leaving the bone exposed and causing pain a few days after the extraction. Not smoking, avoiding straws, and following your aftercare instructions lower the risk. If pain gets worse instead of better after a few days, call us.
Will I be awake during my extraction?
With local anesthetic alone, you are awake but the area is numb. If you prefer, we offer nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation to help you relax. Dr. Keith will help you choose the option that fits your health and comfort.
How long does a tooth extraction take?
It depends on the tooth. A simple extraction is often fairly quick once you are numb, while an impacted or broken tooth takes longer. We will give you an estimate at your consultation so you can plan your day.
