Extractions
Tooth extraction and wisdom teeth removal in Miami
We save teeth whenever we can. When a tooth can't be saved — or a wisdom tooth is causing trouble — we remove it as comfortably as possible and plan what comes next.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Rodolfo Rodriguez, DMD · Updated
When a tooth needs to come out
- Decay or a fracture too extensive to repair
- Advanced gum disease that has loosened the tooth
- Wisdom teeth that are impacted, partly erupted, or causing pain or infection
- A tooth that keeps getting infected after treatment
- Teeth that need to come out before full-arch treatment or dentures
Before recommending an extraction, Dr. Rodriguez will tell you whether the tooth could be saved — with a root canal and a crown, for example — and what each choice involves.
Wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth often don't have room to come in properly. They can come in sideways, stay trapped under the gum, or come in partway, which traps food and bacteria. Not every wisdom tooth needs removing: we check their position on X-rays — or on a 3D CBCT scan when the roots are close to the nerve — and recommend removal when they're causing problems or are likely to.
Most wisdom teeth can be removed here in the office. If a tooth is deeply impacted or very close to the nerve, we may refer you to an oral surgeon.
What to expect
Comfort
The area is numbed with local anesthesia. If you're anxious or having several teeth removed, oral or IV sedation is available; you'll need someone to drive you home.
The extraction
You'll feel pressure, but not pain. Some teeth come out in one piece; others are sectioned so they can be removed more gently.
Protecting the bone
When an implant is planned, a bone graft can be placed in the socket at the same visit to preserve the bone.
Healing
Expect some swelling and soreness for a few days. A blood clot forms in the socket, and protecting it is the key to healing. After a tooth extraction covers aftercare step by step.
Replacing the tooth
Unless it's a wisdom tooth, a missing tooth usually needs replacing so its neighbors don't drift and the bone doesn't shrink. In most cases we recommend an implant; a bridge or a partial denture are the other options. Read options for replacing missing teeth.
FAQs
Does an extraction hurt?
How long does healing take?
What is dry socket?
Should I remove my wisdom teeth if they don't hurt?
Can I get an implant the same day?
Terms
- Extraction
- Removing a tooth.
- Impacted tooth
- A tooth trapped under the gum or bone that cannot come in normally.
- Socket
- The space left in the bone after a tooth is removed.
- Dry socket
- A painful condition when the blood clot in a socket is lost too early.
- Socket preservation
- A bone graft placed in the socket after an extraction to preserve the bone.
- Oral surgeon
- A dentist with advanced surgical training, for the most complex extractions.
Related
Start with a conversation.
Tell us what's going on, in English or Spanish. We'll take it from there.