Taking a tooth out is never my first choice, and I will always tell you if it can be saved instead. When extraction is the right decision, because a tooth is too broken down, badly infected or causing problems for its neighbours, my aim is to make the appointment calm and the recovery straightforward.
The extraction itself is rarely the difficult part; the anaesthetic does its job. What matters is the planning around it: what will replace the tooth, whether we preserve the socket for a future implant, and clear aftercare so you know exactly what is normal in the days that follow. For anxious patients we can offer oral sedation, and we refer for IV sedation where a case calls for it.
“The best extraction is the one you have already planned the replacement for.”
— Dr. Mary Talbot, Associate Dentist
My recommendationDecide what happens to the gap before the tooth comes out. If an implant is likely, ask about socket preservation on the day; it keeps your options open.
Questions patients ask me
Will it hurt?
You will feel pressure but not pain during the extraction. Afterwards, ordinary painkillers manage most discomfort, and most people are back to normal activities within a day or two.
What is dry socket?
A painful delay in healing when the blood clot is lost, affecting a small minority of extractions. Avoiding smoking, straws and vigorous rinsing for the first few days is the best prevention, and we treat it quickly if it occurs.
Should I replace the tooth?
In most cases, yes. A gap lets neighbouring teeth drift and the bone shrink. Wisdom teeth are the exception and do not usually need replacing.
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