When Do You Need a Tooth Extraction?
We always try to save your natural tooth first. But sometimes pulling it is the healthiest choice. You may need an extraction if you have:
- Severe tooth decay that has gone too deep to fix with a filling or crown
- An infection that cannot be cleared up another way
- A broken or cracked tooth that cannot be repaired
- A tooth that cannot be saved even after a root canal attempt
- An impacted tooth that is stuck under the gumline or growing in crooked
Not sure which one fits you? That’s okay. Dr. López will examine your tooth, go over your options, and help you decide on the best next step.
The Two Types of Tooth Extractions
There are two basic kinds of extractions. Here is a simple way to tell them apart:
- Simple Extraction: This is for teeth you can see above the gumline, often adult teeth with decay or infection. The tooth is loosened and gently removed.
- Surgical Extraction: This may be necessary when a tooth is impacted, broken below the gumline, or difficult to remove with standard extraction techniques. Dr. López may need to make a small incision in the gum or divide the tooth into smaller sections to remove it safely.
Splitting a tooth might sound scary, but it is a common technique. Removing a tooth in smaller pieces is often easier than trying to take it out all at once.
What to Expect During Your Tooth Extraction
Knowing what will happen can take away a lot of the worry. Here is how a visit usually goes:
- Exam and talk. Dr. López looks at your tooth, reviews your options, and answers your questions.
- Comfort first. We numb the area so you stay comfortable. If you feel anxious, ask us about sedation.
- The extraction. Using modern tools and techniques, Dr. López removes the tooth.
- Aftercare plan. We give you simple instructions for healing at home and answer any questions before you leave.
Our extractions and other procedures are done right here in our office, so you stay with the team you know and trust.
Anxious About the Dentist? We Can Help
Dental fear is very real, and you are far from alone. Many of our patients felt the same way before they came in. Our team is known for making nervous patients feel at ease, and Dr. López is licensed to provide oral sedation for patients with dental anxiety. Learn more about our sedation dentistry options.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare: How to Heal Faster
The first few days matter. Always follow the instructions Dr. López gives you, and keep these general tips in mind:
- Protect the blood clot. A clot forms where your tooth was. It helps the area heal, so be gentle with it.
- Skip the straw and hard spitting for the first day or so. The suction can loosen the clot.
- Eat soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, soup, and mashed potatoes. Avoid anything hard, crunchy, or very hot at first.
- Rest. Take it easy for the first day or two.
- Do not smoke. It slows healing and raises your risk of problems.
- Keep your mouth clean, but be gentle around the area. We will tell you when to brush and rinse near it.
When to call us: Contact our office if bleeding continues despite following your aftercare instructions, pain becomes worse instead of gradually improving, or you develop a fever or increasing swelling. Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms should be evaluated promptly.
Replacing a Missing Tooth After an Extraction
After an extraction, you may want to consider replacing the missing tooth, especially if it affects your ability to chew or the appearance of your smile. A gap can also allow nearby teeth to shift over time, depending on its location. Dr. López can discuss whether replacement is recommended and which option makes sense for your oral health.
- Dental implants, which replace the tooth with a strong, natural-looking option
- Dental bridges and crowns, which fill the gap using the teeth beside it
- All-On-X, a full-arch option for people missing many or all of their teeth
- Partial dentures, which can replace one or more missing teeth
We can walk you through each option, including the pros and cons, so you can pick what fits your needs and budget.
Why Spokane Families Choose Summit Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
- Experienced dentist. Dr. López earned his dental degree from Marquette School of Dentistry in 2009. He has been treating patients in Washington for more than 17 years and keeps learning through continuing education in areas like dental implants, sedation, and cosmetic dentistry.
- Straight answers. Patients tell us they appreciate that we explain their choices, with the pros and cons of each.
- Everything under one roof. From fillings to extractions to implants, you can get care in one convenient place.
- Bilingual care. Hablamos Español.
- Serving Spokane since 2011. We are proud to be your neighbors.
- Accepting new patients. New patients are always welcome.
Tooth Extraction Cost, Insurance, and Payment Options
The cost of a tooth extraction depends on the tooth’s condition and whether a simple or surgical procedure is needed. After examining your tooth and discussing your treatment options, our team can explain the expected costs before treatment begins.
We work with many major dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife, Regence, and Premera Blue Cross. Coverage varies by plan, so our team can help you review your benefits and understand your estimated out-of-pocket costs.
Visit our Financing & Insurance page for more information on financing your dental care, or call (509) 466-1200 with questions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth Extraction
We use local anesthesia to numb the area before beginning your extraction. You may feel pressure or movement during the procedure, but you should not feel sharp pain. Some soreness and swelling are normal afterward, and the amount of discomfort depends on the tooth and type of extraction. If you feel anxious about treatment, ask Dr. López whether oral sedation may be appropriate.
It depends on the tooth. A simple extraction is often quick. A surgical extraction can take longer because the tooth may need to be reached through the gum or removed in pieces. Dr. López will give you an idea of what to expect at your visit.
A simple extraction is for a tooth you can see above the gumline. A surgical extraction is for teeth that are impacted, broken, or growing in crooked, and may involve a small opening in the gum.
Stick to soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, soup, and mashed potatoes for the first few days. Avoid hard, crunchy, spicy, or very hot foods, and skip the straw at first.
Healing is different for everyone, and depends on the tooth and how it was removed. Follow the instructions Dr. López gives you, and call us if anything feels wrong.
A dry socket can happen when the blood clot where your tooth was comes loose too soon. To protect it, avoid straws, smoking, and hard spitting, and follow your aftercare instructions. If you have increasing pain a few days after your extraction, call us.
Ready to Get Relief? Schedule Your Tooth Extraction Visit Today
Dental pain and damaged teeth should not have to wait, and the team at Summit Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is ready to provide fast, gentle relief. Conveniently located on West Francis Avenue, our bilingual team proudly provides tooth extraction care to patients across Spokane, Spokane Valley, Mead, and Nine Mile Falls.
We’re accepting new patients—call our Spokane dental office at (509) 466-1200 or request your appointment online today. Hablamos Español.