General Dentistry
Tooth Extractions
Sometimes a tooth cannot be saved. When that happens, we take it out carefully, keep you comfortable with freezing or sedation, protect the bone underneath, and talk through how to replace it. Most extractions, including broken and badly decayed teeth, are done right here by our own team.
Why it matters
Benefits
- Most extractions done in-house in South Calgary. Complex cases are referred to an oral surgeon when that is the right call.
- Oral sedation or IV sedation available if the thought of an extraction makes you anxious.
- 3D imaging before any surgical extraction, so we know where the roots and nerves sit.
- Socket preservation grafting at the time of extraction when you are planning on an implant later.
- A written aftercare plan and a direct number to the clinic for the days after.
What to expect
The process
- 01
Exam and imaging
An x-ray, or a 3D CT scan for surgical cases, shows the shape of the roots and what sits around them. We confirm the tooth cannot be saved before we recommend removing it.
- 02
Choose your comfort level
Local freezing is enough for most simple extractions. Oral sedation or IV sedation is available for anxious patients and for longer surgical cases.
- 03
The extraction
A simple extraction takes a few minutes once you are numb. A surgical extraction, for a broken tooth or a tooth under the gum, takes longer and may need a small incision and a stitch or two. You feel pressure, not pain.
- 04
Protecting the bone
If you are considering an implant, a small bone graft placed in the socket the same day keeps the ridge from shrinking while it heals. We decide this with you before the appointment, not during it.
- 05
Healing and next steps
Most people are back to normal in two to three days. We check in about a week later and, when you are ready, talk through replacing the tooth with an implant or a bridge.
When a tooth needs to come out
We treat extraction as the last option, not the first. Fillings, crowns, and root canals save most teeth. A tooth usually needs to come out when:
- Decay or a crack goes below the gum line, leaving nothing solid to rebuild on.
- Infection has spread past the point a root canal can resolve.
- Gum disease has loosened the tooth and the bone around it is gone.
- A baby tooth refuses to fall out and is blocking the adult tooth beneath it.
- Orthodontic treatment needs room, which is sometimes the case with severe crowding.
Wisdom teeth have their own page, because they come with their own questions.
Simple or surgical
A simple extraction is a tooth that is fully visible and can be loosened and lifted out in one piece. You are in the chair for a short visit and numb the whole time.
A surgical extraction is a tooth that is broken, cracked below the gum, or still partly under bone. It takes longer and may need a small incision, sectioning the tooth into pieces, and a stitch or two. Most of these are still done here, with sedation if you want it.
Think about the replacement before the extraction
The best time to plan a replacement is before the tooth comes out. If an implant is likely, placing a small bone graft in the socket the same day preserves the ridge and often makes the implant simpler later. If a bridge makes more sense, we plan around the neighbouring teeth. Either way, you leave knowing the next step and roughly what it costs.
Not sure whether your tooth can be saved? Book a consultation or call 403-271-2221. We will give you an honest answer either way.
FAQ
Questions we hear most often
- Does a tooth extraction hurt?
- Not during the procedure. Local freezing keeps you completely numb, and sedation is available if you want to be relaxed or asleep. You will feel pressure while the tooth is loosened. Afterwards, mild soreness for a day or two is normal and is managed with regular pain relievers.
- Can you take out a tooth that is broken off at the gum?
- Yes. Broken and badly decayed teeth are a common surgical extraction. We use a 3D scan to plan it, remove the roots carefully, and keep the surrounding bone intact for a future implant.
- Do I need to see an oral surgeon?
- Usually not. Dr. Hall handles most extractions, including surgical ones, here in South Calgary. Teeth that sit very close to a nerve, some medical histories, and a few unusual root shapes are better handled by a specialist, and we will tell you plainly if yours is one of them.
- What happens to the gap?
- A missing back tooth lets neighbouring teeth drift and the bone underneath shrink. A dental implant is the most natural replacement, and a bridge is an option too. There is no rush, but the sooner it is planned the simpler it tends to be.
- How much does a tooth extraction cost in Calgary?
- It depends on whether the extraction is simple or surgical and on your sedation choice. We give you a written quote before the appointment and direct-bill most insurance plans.
- What is dry socket, and how do I avoid it?
- Dry socket happens when the blood clot in the empty socket comes out before the site has healed, causing a sharp ache a few days later. No smoking, no straws, and no vigorous rinsing for the first few days prevents most cases. If it does happen, a quick visit settles it.
Ready to talk it through?
Book a consultation.
We'll listen first, then build a plan around your goals and comfort.