Is a Tooth Extraction Painful?

The procedure is done with numbing, and so it is pain-free. After the procedure, it is common to feel discomfort and swelling. Patients will be prescribed pain medication to help with the symptoms.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

For a single tooth extraction, a single appointment is sufficient. For multiple teeth, Dr. Huang might break it up into multiple sessions to help make it more manageable with symptoms.

Bakersfield, CA

Tooth Extractions

Introduction

Introduction to Tooth Extraction

At Valley Grace Dental, our exceptional dental team helps you and your family maintain optimal oral health. We aim to preserve all your natural teeth and use the least invasive treatments for your dental problems. However, in some cases, removing a tooth may be more advisable for your overall oral health. If you have jaw pain, swelling, bleeding gums, sensitivity in your teeth, etc., you might be suffering from an impacted tooth. Please schedule an appointment with Dr. Arthur Huang for painless and efficient tooth removal in Bakersfield, California.

What is a Tooth Extraction?

As the name implies, a tooth extraction is a dental procedure where the tooth is fully removed from its root socket. This procedure varies in its complexity based on how damaged and impacted a tooth is and the reason for its extraction. Common reasons for a tooth extraction include space creation for orthodontics, a damaged tooth due to trauma, or an infected tooth. Removing a healthy tooth for aesthetic reasons would be a simple and single-appointment extraction, whereas extracting a tooth that is impacted, broken, or ingrown will require a more involved procedure.

A high-angle close-up view of a dentist's hand in a blue nitrile glove reaching towards a tray of various dental instruments. The instruments are arranged on a light-blue surface within a sterile dental setting. - Tooth Extractions in Bakersfield, CA

What Are the Benefits of a Tooth Extraction?

Our patients who have received a tooth extraction in Bakersfield have shared its long-lasting impact and relief. Some other benefits are listed below:

Better oral hygiene
Boost in self-esteem if the tooth was causing aesthetic concerns
Enhanced smile
Improved oral function
Pain-relief
Prevention of infection

Who Are the Best Candidates for a Tooth Extraction?

Natural teeth are always preferred to be saved whenever possible. But there are times when they must be extracted to prevent further damage. The best candidates for tooth extraction in Bakersfield will have some of the following characteristics:

A fractured tooth
An impacted tooth
Crowded teeth
Maintain realistic expectations
No underlying medical condition
Non-smoker
Other dental injuries
Severe gum disease
Severe cavities

What’s the first step?

The first step in getting a tooth extraction in Bakersfield is scheduling a consultation with Dr. Arthur Huang at Valley Grace Dental. During the consultation, Dr. Huang will examine the target tooth and surrounding gums, taking dental X-rays to check the extent of damage. He will then outline the process and its associated risks, benefits, and recovery timeline as he examines the tooth.

Dr. Huang will also ask you about your medical history, including any chronic conditions related to your heart and liver. Tooth extractions can release bacteria into the bloodstream, so he needs to know if you are immunosuppressed so that he can prescribe you antibiotics ahead of the procedure.

Once you both decide to move forward, he will draft a treatment plan that you can take to our patient coordinator for scheduling, pricing, and to receive pre-procedure instructions.

Dr. Huang smiling and looking at clipboard - Dentist in Bakersfield, CA

What to Expect on the Day of a Tooth Extraction Treatment

On the day of your tooth extraction in Bakersfield, Dr. Arthur Huang and his staff will receive you at the practice and get you settled in the procedure room. They will review your treatment plan if you have any outlying questions. Finally, once you are ready, a board-certified anesthesiologist will administer local anesthesia to numb your affected tooth and the surrounding area.

Once you are numb, Dr. Huang will use specialized dental instruments to loosen and extract your tooth from its socket. Sometimes, he might need to make incisions to access the tooth, especially if it is badly damaged or decayed. Once the tooth is removed, the socket is cleaned and disinfected. If needed, Dr. Huang will make incisions with dissolvable stitches, and if necessary, he will place a gauze on the site to reduce the bleeding and aid in clot formation.

A single tooth extraction, without complications, will take half an hour to complete.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare Instructions

After surgery, the tooth site will take a few hours to restore its sensitivity from anesthesia. You will also experience bruising, swelling, and possibly light bleeding for the first twenty-four hours. It is recommended that patients take it easy during this period.

Patients are recommended to leave the gauze in place for the next 3-4 hours or until it is fully soaked in blood. They should bite down on the placed gauze to reduce bleeding and to aid in clot formation.

Patients can use cold compresses and any prescribed painkillers to reduce swelling. Also, it is recommended that patients do not rinse their mouth for twenty-four hours, spitting only gently if needed. Further, avoid using anything that causes internal mouth pressure, such as straws.

How Much Does a Tooth Extraction Cost in Bakersfield, CA?

The cost of tooth extraction in Bakersfield, CA, will depend on the complexity of your case, the extent of the impacted tooth, Dr. Huang’s fees, and the type of anesthesia used, among other factors. Patients are recommended to schedule their initial consultation to draft a treatment plan and estimate the final price.

Why Choose Valley Grace Dental?

You should choose the detailed patient care and expert treatment for teeth extractions at Valley Grace Dental because the owner, Dr. Arthur Huang, is a dentist with impeccable credentials. Dr. Huang’s genuinely caring nature comes through as a skilled family practice clinician. He has been in private practice for over 16 years, from Arizona to Orange County and Los Angeles County.

Dr. Huang is an active member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Orange County Dental Society, Kern County Dental Society, The Crown Council, and Tops Institute Mastermind.