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Tooth extraction

Pulling a tooth; Tooth removal

A tooth extraction is a procedure to remove a tooth from the gum socket. It is usually done by a general dentist, an oral surgeon, or a periodontist.

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Tooth anatomy
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Description

The procedure will take place in the dental office or hospital dental clinic. It may involve removing one or more teeth. You may be asked to take antibiotics before the procedure.

If you need a more complex tooth extraction:

After your tooth is removed:

Why the Procedure Is Performed

There are several reasons people have a tooth pulled:

Risks

While uncommon, certain problems may occur:

Before the Procedure

Tell your dentist about any medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines, and about your medical history. A tooth extraction can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream. So be sure to tell your dentist if you have or have had conditions that may make you prone to infection. These may include:

After the Procedure

You may go home shortly after the procedure.

To help with healing:

When eating or drinking:

To care for your mouth:

Follow up:

Outlook (Prognosis)

Everyone heals at a different rate. It will take 1 to 2 weeks for the socket to heal. Affected bone and other tissue may take a bit longer to heal. Some people may have changes to the bone and tissue near the extraction.

You should call your dentist or oral surgeon if you have:

References

Hall KP, Klene CA. Routine extraction of teeth. In: Kademani D, Tiwana PS, eds. Atlas of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 10.

Hupp JR. Principles of routine exodontia. In: Hupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR, eds. Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 8.

Melnick PR, Takei HH. Preparation of the periodotium for restorative dentistry. In: Newman MG, Takei HH, Klokkevold PR, Carranza FA, eds. Newman and Carranza's Clinical Periodontology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 69.

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Review Date: 11/7/2022  

Reviewed By: Michael Kapner, DDS, General Dentistry, Norwalk Medical Center, Norwalk CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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