Tooth Extractions in Las Vegas
Safe, gentle tooth removal when a tooth can’t be saved.
Our first goal is always to save your natural tooth. But when a tooth is too badly decayed, cracked or infected to repair, removing it is often the healthiest choice — it takes away the source of the infection and protects the teeth around it.
At A Great Smile Dental in northwest Las Vegas, Dr. Ben Yaghmai and Dr. Brian J. Polidori explain why an extraction is recommended, what your other options are, and how the space can be restored afterward, before any treatment begins.
When Is a Tooth Extraction Needed?
Tooth extraction is performed when a tooth has a poor long-term prognosis. If restoring the tooth is unlikely to succeed, extraction is recommended to eliminate the bacterial source and prevent the spread of infection. Common reasons include:
- Severe decay that has destroyed too much of the tooth for a filling, crown or root canal to hold.
- A cracked or fractured root, such as a vertical root fracture, that can’t be repaired.
- Advanced gum disease that has loosened the tooth in the bone.
- Wisdom teeth that are impacted, coming in crooked or causing pain, crowding or infection. Read more in Understanding Wisdom Teeth and Their Removal.
- Crowding, when a tooth needs to come out to make room for orthodontic treatment.
- Injury that has broken a tooth beyond repair.
What to Expect
We start with an exam and x-rays to see the tooth, its roots and the bone around it. Before the extraction, the area is numbed with local anesthetic so you feel pressure but not pain.
A simple extraction removes a tooth that is fully visible above the gum. A surgical extraction is used for a tooth that has broken at the gum line or hasn’t fully come in, such as an impacted wisdom tooth. If your case calls for a specialist, we’ll explain why and help you with a referral.
Afterward we’ll give you written aftercare instructions and make sure you know how to reach us if you have any concerns.
Recovering After an Extraction
Most patients feel back to normal within a few days. To help the area heal:
- Bite gently on gauze for the first hour to help a blood clot form.
- For the first 24 hours, don’t rinse hard, spit forcefully, smoke or drink through a straw — these can dislodge the clot and lead to a painful dry socket.
- Use a cold compress on your cheek to reduce swelling, and take pain relievers as directed.
- Stick to soft foods and chew on the other side for a few days.
- After the first day, rinse gently with warm salt water and keep brushing the rest of your mouth.
Call us at (702) 472-8778 if bleeding, swelling or pain gets worse after the first few days, or if you develop a fever.
Replacing an Extracted Tooth
Leaving a gap can let neighboring teeth drift and change your bite, and the bone under a missing tooth slowly shrinks. Except for wisdom teeth, we’ll talk through how to replace the tooth before or soon after it comes out:
- Dental implants replace the root and the tooth, and look and feel the most natural.
- Dental bridges fill the gap using the teeth on either side.
- Partial or full dentures replace several teeth at once.
Same-Day Emergency Extractions
A badly broken or infected tooth can be extremely painful. We offer same-day emergency dental appointments during office hours — call us and we’ll see you as soon as we can.
Tooth Extraction Questions
Does a tooth extraction hurt?
The area is numbed before we begin, so you should feel pressure but not sharp pain during the extraction. Some soreness for a few days afterward is normal and is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and a cold compress.
Is it better to save a tooth or pull it?
When a tooth can be saved predictably — with a filling, crown or root canal — keeping it is usually the better choice. We recommend an extraction when the tooth has a poor long-term outlook, and we’ll explain the options and costs of both before you decide.
How long does it take to heal after a tooth is pulled?
Most patients feel back to normal within a few days. The gum usually closes over in a few weeks, while the bone underneath takes longer to fill in fully.
Does dental insurance cover extractions?
Many dental plans cover extractions that are medically necessary. We work with plans including Aetna, Ameritas, Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, Delta, Guardian, MetLife, United Healthcare and UCCI, and financing is available through CareCredit.
Schedule a Consultation
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