Removal is
the last resort.
Dr. Maz will always try to save your natural tooth first. But when a tooth cannot be saved, removing it quickly protects the rest of your mouth. Extractions here are done with local anesthesia or IV sedation, so the visit stays comfortable from start to finish.
time per tooth
appointments
for every case
When is extraction actually necessary?
Most teeth can be saved. Root canal therapy, retreatment, and apicoectomy all exist to keep your natural tooth in place. Dr. Maz will exhaust those options first every single time.
But some situations leave no safe alternative. In those cases, removing the tooth quickly is what protects the surrounding bone, gums, and neighboring teeth from further damage.
Three situations where removal is the answer
Accidents and trauma
A fall, a sports injury, or a hard impact can fracture a tooth below the gumline. When the break goes too deep, there is no structure left to rebuild on. Removal becomes the only safe option.
Severe infection
When infection destroys most of the tooth structure or the tooth cracks vertically through the root, a root canal cannot fix it. Leaving it in place lets the infection spread to the bone.
Impacted wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to come in. When the jaw has no room for them, they grow sideways and press into neighboring teeth. That pressure causes pain, crowding, and infection.
What actually happens on the day
Most extractions take between 10 and 60 minutes depending on the tooth. Here is what to expect.
Numb the area
Local anesthesia is given first. You feel pressure but no pain. IV sedation is available if you would rather sleep through it entirely.
Loosen the tooth
The gum tissue is separated from the tooth. For impacted or broken teeth, a small incision is made to reach it properly.
Remove and clean
The tooth is lifted out of the socket. The site is cleaned thoroughly to prevent infection from developing afterward.
Close and heal
Stitches are placed if needed, and gauze controls the bleeding. You leave with clear aftercare instructions and a follow-up plan.
Does it hurt? Not the way you think.
Most people are surprised. The infected or damaged tooth is what was causing the pain in the first place. Removing it brings immediate relief for the majority of patients.
Recovery takes a few days
Expect some soreness and swelling for the first two to three days. Ice helps. Pain medication is prescribed when needed. Stick to soft foods at first, then return to normal eating after a couple of days.
Avoid smoking, alcohol, and strenuous activity while healing. These are the main causes of dry socket, which is the most common complication and is almost entirely preventable.
Replacing the tooth matters more than you think
A gap is not just cosmetic. Your jawbone needs the pressure of a tooth to maintain its density. Without it, bone loss starts and your bite slowly shifts.
Waiting makes it worse
An infected tooth does not heal on its own. If the pain suddenly stops, that usually means the nerve has died, not that the infection is gone. It keeps spreading toward the jaw and surrounding bone. Call us the moment you suspect a problem. Dr. Maz sees emergencies 24/7.
Patients trust him with the hard cases
Extraction questions, answered plainly
- They are fully impacted under the gum and causing pain
- They are partially erupted, which makes them hard to clean and prone to infection
- They have severe decay or recurring cavities
- You are preparing for orthodontic treatment or protecting existing results
- Keep the area clean as directed
- Eat soft foods for the first few days
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, and strenuous activity
- Finish any antibiotics you are prescribed
Not sure if your tooth can be saved? Ask us first.
Book a consultation →
Let's see if the tooth can still be saved
Before you agree to an extraction anywhere else, get Dr. Maz's opinion. He has saved teeth that other dentists gave up on. Same-day and 24/7 emergency appointments available.