Tooth Extractions in Culver City

Tooth extraction might sound intimidating, but it is NOT painful. We use anesthetic options tailored to the patient’s needs to ensure zero pain throughout the extraction process. Some patients prefer sedation to help with oral surgery, and we can review these options in your treatment plan. We take every measure to make sure even minor surgical procedures are as comfortable as possible.

Some teeth are removed more easily than others, but the team at The Smile Artists takes pride in helping every patient get numb with modern anesthesia.

Once the anesthesia takes effect, our doctors use specialized instruments to elevate the tooth out of place. In some cases, we may need to first break up the tooth. Some wisdom teeth removal procedures may be more complex, particularly for deeply impacted teeth.

For simple extractions, you may not even need stitches. Complex extractions and wisdom teeth removal usually do require sutures. We usually use a unique kind of stitches that will come out on their own, saving you the inconvenience of a follow-up visit.

You will receive specific post-op instructions to help you care for the area after your procedure. Simple extractions can heal surprisingly quickly. Many patients can return to work and most activities within a day or two. For more complex extractions and most cases of wisdom teeth removal, patients may need to take a few days off from work or school. Some key points include:

• Swelling and discomfort are normal but should gradually fade.
• You can manage any pain with OTC pain medication.
• Avoid creating any suction in your mouth (e.g., spitting, using straws).
• Rinse as directed.
• Stick to soft foods until healed.

While our immediate concern is the short-term management of your care, we will also discuss your long-term plans for replacing missing teeth. Leaving a space is always an option, but spaces in your smile can create appearance and function challenges that are important to consider. Teeth slowly shift or migrate into open spaces and minimizing the effects of an unbalanced bite now can prevent issues later in life.

Patients can replace a missing tooth with either dental implants, dental bridges, or dentures. The right choice depends on your oral health, goals, and individual situation.

With wisdom teeth removal, you do not need to replace these teeth. Your dental health will progress just as well without these final molars.

Although our primary goal is to help your teeth stay healthy and functional, an extraction is sometimes the best way to preserve the overall health of your mouth. Since teeth help nourish our bodies and support our confidence, we always preserve them when possible. However, keeping a tooth might pose an issue in some cases. We usually recommend extraction when:

• You have an infected tooth that a root canal cannot save.
• A tooth has been severely damaged beyond repair due to injury or decay.
• You need to remove a tooth for orthodontic treatment or other dental procedures.
• You do not have room for your wisdom teeth (or they became impacted).

A simple tooth extraction typically costs between $150 and $300 out of pocket. A surgical tooth extraction takes longer and can cost $300 to $800, depending on the complexity of the case. The final cost of the procedure may also vary depending on whether you require additional procedures, such as X-rays or sedation. Most dental insurance plans cover tooth extractions, but the coverage amount depends on the type of extraction and your specific plan.

Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth to be removed. In fact, some people may live their entire lives without their wisdom teeth causing any issues. Dentists usually recommend removing wisdom teeth in the following cases:

• Your wisdom teeth are completely hidden underneath the gumline (impacted wisdom teeth) and cause pain and inflammation of the gum tissue
• Your wisdom teeth are partially hidden underneath the gum (partially impacted wisdom teeth), causing pain, irritation, and become infected
• Your wisdom teeth have recurring cavities because their position makes it challenging to clean them properly
• Your wisdom teeth are severely infected
• In preparation for an orthodontic treatment or to preserve the results of a previous treatment

Uncomplicated tooth extraction visits can take as few as 10 to 15 minutes, with the extraction itself taking just a couple of minutes, and the rest of the time spent waiting for the anesthetic to take effect. Procedure time may increase if you need to remove several teeth, the extraction is complicated (for example, when impacted teeth are extracted), or if you opt for sedation. 

Cases in which the tooth is clearly visible, can be easily accessed, and is intact (not severely damaged by infection or broken) are referred to as simple tooth extractions. A surgical extraction involves your dentist making an incision in the gum to access an impacted tooth, or to extract a tooth broken at the gumline or one with a complicated root structure.

In the majority of cases, tooth extraction complications can be easily avoided if you follow your dentist’s recommendations closely and take proper care of the extraction site. The two main complications after a tooth extraction are infection and dry socket: 

• Infections may occur if your post-procedure oral hygiene and extraction site care are insufficient.
• Dry socket happens when a blood clot that forms within the socket after the procedure is disturbed. This can happen if you brush your teeth or swish water in your mouth too aggressively, smoke, use a straw when drinking, or engage in strenuous activities too soon after tooth extraction. 

A local anesthetic is most commonly used for tooth extraction. Modern local anesthetics work extremely well and completely numb the procedure site, meaning that you will not feel any pain during the procedure. The injection of a local anesthetic may feel slightly unpleasant, like a sting or burning sensation. Still, it takes only a couple of seconds and usually does not cause any significant discomfort. The anesthetic typically takes effect within a couple of minutes.

Sedation options are also available for patients who experience acute dental anxiety that prevents them from having a procedure or find it challenging to remain in one position for the duration of the extraction. Types of sedation used in dental offices typically include oral sedation, nitrous oxide, and IV sedation.

Ask your dentist about sedation options if you anticipate that local anesthesia is not going to be enough in your case.