Tooth Extractions in Berkeley, CA
Safe & Gentle Tooth Removal When Restoration Isn't Possible
Safe, gentle tooth removal with comprehensive aftercare and replacement options when a tooth cannot be saved.
At Acorn Family Dental Care, Dr. Teah Nguyen considers extraction only after evaluating all alternatives. A tooth may need removal if it is severely decayed, fractured beyond repair, impacted (especially wisdom teeth), or causing crowding or infection.
Types of Extractions
- Simple Extraction: Performed when the tooth is visible in the mouth. Dr. Nguyen loosens it using instruments and removes it with forceps under local anesthesia.
- Surgical Extraction: Used when a tooth is broken, impacted, or not fully erupted. Incisions, bone removal, or sectioning of the tooth may be required.
Expert Care
Personalized treatment by Dr. Nguyen
Expert Care
Personalized treatment by Dr. Nguyen
What to Expect During & After Extraction
Here’s what you can expect before, during, and after your extraction procedure:
- Evaluation & Planning: Review medical history, take imaging, and choose sedation or anesthesia options.
- Anesthesia & Procedure: Local numbness (or sedation) is applied. Dr. Nguyen then loosens and removes the tooth, possibly making incisions or sectioning for difficult cases.
- Socket Management: After removal, the socket is cleaned. Sometimes a bone graft or membrane is placed to preserve jaw structure.
- Stitches & Protection: Soft tissue may be sutured; protective gauze is placed to help form a blood clot.
- Recovery & Care: You will receive instructions on pain control, diet, oral hygiene, and how to reduce bleeding and swelling.
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Risks, Problems & Healing Tips
- Normal effects: Some bleeding, swelling, and discomfort are expected.
- Dry Socket (Alveolar Osteitis): Occurs when the blood clot dislodges, exposing bone and nerve, causing pain. Happens in ~1–5% of extractions.
- Infection, delayed healing, nerve injury: Uncommon but possible — especially with surgical extractions or impacted teeth.
- Bone & tissue changes: The socket heals gradually. Ridge resorption may occur over months.
Planning for Healing and Tooth Replacement
Before an extraction, we review your medications, health history, X-rays, and the condition of the surrounding bone. We also discuss whether preserving the socket with a bone graft may help a future implant or other replacement. After treatment, protecting the blood clot is essential: follow the written instructions, avoid smoking and straws, choose soft foods, and clean the area only as directed.
Replacing a removed tooth is not always immediate, but it is worth planning early. An implant, bridge, or partial denture can help restore chewing and limit unwanted tooth movement. Dr. Nguyen will explain the appropriate healing timeline and coordinate the next step around your oral health and goals.
Swelling and soreness commonly peak during the first few days and should then begin to improve. Take prescribed or recommended medication only as directed and keep follow-up appointments, especially after a surgical extraction or graft. Call the office if bleeding cannot be controlled with firm pressure, pain suddenly becomes worse, swelling continues to increase, or you develop fever, drainage, difficulty swallowing, or trouble breathing. Prompt guidance can protect the healing site and address complications early.
Frequently Asked Questions
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