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Tooth Extraction

Relieve Pain, Treat Infection, and Protect Other Teeth

When severe dental decay, gum disease, facial injuries, or other conditions cause damage, sometimes removing the affected tooth or teeth is the only way to prevent further problems. While every effort is made to save your natural tooth, extraction may be the next step in managing severe infection or dental trauma.

Dr. Wood, Dr. Coles, Dr. Saghafi, and Dr. Holbrook regularly perform tooth extractions at our offices in Tucson, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita, AZ. Our team is trained to remove damaged or infected teeth and eliminate any signs of infection around the tooth sockets to protect your oral health. If you need a tooth extracted or are experiencing a dental emergency, contact Arizona Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

A tooth may require extraction because of several reasons, such as:

 

  • Severe decay or tooth infections. When tooth decay is severe, the infection can spread to other parts of the mouth. If restorative procedures can’t restore the tooth, extraction will be necessary.
  • Broken or damaged teeth. Most of the time a broken tooth can be repaired by your dentist or an oral surgeon if it is treated soon enough. In some cases, the damage is irreparable and the broken tooth will need to be removed.
  • Dental crowding or impaction. In rare cases, extra teeth can be present in the dental arch, which can lead to crowding and poor positioning. Sometimes baby teeth (especially the canines) do not fall out in time for new teeth to come in, causing them to be impacted. Removing the baby teeth allows the adult teeth to erupt in a healthy manner.
  • Gum disease (periodontal disease). Advanced gum disease can cause damage to the bone and teeth that become loose and mobile. Extractions are sometimes the only option to prevent the infection from affecting nearby bone tissue and teeth.

What to Expect During Tooth Extraction

When you visit our office, we may take 3D scans of your teeth to assess the bones and soft tissues in your mouth. Having a tooth extracted is usually done with local anesthesia, which prevents any pain during the procedure. You will feel the pinch of a needle as the anesthetic is injected, but will remain comfortable during the extraction.

If you need to have many extractions or a more complicated extraction, you may have the option to undergo IV anesthesia, which allows patients to enter a sleep-like state and wake up once the procedure is over. This is sometimes necessary for longer procedures or wisdom teeth removal. Your surgeon will discuss your anesthesia options with you and help you make a decision when you come in for your pre-surgery consultation. Our staff will work with you to make sure you are comfortable before proceeding with any treatment plan.

Types of Anesthesia

We offer a variety of anesthesia choices to ensure a comfortable oral surgery experience.

Tooth Replacement Options Following Extraction

Sometimes your surgeon or dentist can save a natural tooth through other means, such as root canals, apicoectomy, or other restorative procedures. If an extraction is necessary, however, our surgeons will discuss your tooth replacement options.

 

  • Dental Implant. A dental implant looks, feels, and functions just like a natural tooth. It is custom-made to blend in with your smile and if there is enough healthy jaw bone, your surgeon can place the implant immediately following extraction. The dental implant will prevent jaw bone loss, preserve dental alignment, and can last for a lifetime with proper care.
  • Traditional Bridge or Partial Denture. Bridges or dentures are made of metal framework and rely on your existing teeth for support. They restore the appearance of a missing tooth, but do not restore full function. Bridges and dentures do not fuse to the jaw bone, leaving you susceptible to jaw bone atrophy associated with tooth loss. These options must be replaced every few years due to wear and tear, and if they are removable, you must take them out during meals and brushing.
  • Socket Preservation. Socket preservation is a type of bone grafting treatment where your oral surgeon inserts grafting material into the empty tooth socket. This preserves the size and shape of the socket and makes future implant placement easier. Socket preservation is great if you plan on receiving a dental implant in the future, but not immediately following extraction.
  • No Replacement. You do not have to replace a missing tooth. However, having an incomplete smile may make you feel self-conscious about your teeth. Without a replacement tooth present, nearby teeth can shift into the open gap, resulting in misalignment of your other teeth. Without a root or implant post present to stimulate the jaw bone, you are susceptible to jaw bone deterioration.

Tooth Extraction in Tucson, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita, AZ

If you need a dental extraction, our oral surgeons, Dr. Robert Wood, Dr. Nicholas Coles, Dr. Negin Saghafi, and Dr. Jerome Holbrook can help. Oral surgeons undergo years of training in surgical techniques, dental diseases, and anesthesia administration before caring for patients, and our surgeons have years of experience extracting teeth. If you need a tooth extracted or are experiencing a dental emergency, contact Arizona Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons in Tucson, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita, AZ.

Hear From Tooth Extraction Patients

These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing tooth extraction at our office.
More Patients

Reviews From Our Tooth Extraction Patients

Meet CarolDecember 2019

Carol Reviews Her Tooth Extraction Procedure Watch Review

"I came into Arizona Oral Surgeons to get two extractions. As soon as you walk into the office, you’re greeted with a professional staff. Dr. Coles did the surgery, and Dr. Coles was outstanding. He was very compassionate. He explained everything to me. His main objective is basically to minimize any discomfort for you. The procedure was pretty quick. My recovery was good. They gave me the implicit instructions as to how to take care of my mouth. No one likes to say it’s a pleasure to have teeth pulled, but it was a pleasure to come to Arizona Oral Surgeons. It really was. "

Meet CindyJune 2019

Cindy Reviews Her Tooth Extraction Procedure Watch Review

"I had to come in for a broken molar, and I also had to have a wisdom tooth taken out. I was nervous, yes, but between the dental assistants and Dr. Wood, they’re really able to put me at ease and make me feel comfortable. My experience overall was very, very good. My mouth feels fantastic. Dr. Wood is very informative. Dr. Wood is a brilliant surgeon. I was just so highly impressed. If I ever have to have any procedures done again, I will definitely be coming back to Arizona Oral Surgeons."

Meet JordynApril 2016

Jordyn Reviews Her Tooth Extraction Procedure Watch Review

"I came to Arizona Oral Surgeons because my mom wanted me to have better teeth than they were. My teeth were really crooked, and my baby teeth wouldn't fall out, so he pulled them out for me. I was scared that it was going to hurt. He talked me through; he gave me a little ball to squish on, but I also fell asleep. Dr. Wood is a really good doctor. He helped me get through my fears of when he pulled my teeth. I would say go to Dr. Wood because Dr. Wood would pull out your teeth, and it wouldn't hurt because you'd be asleep."

Meet SusanaOctober 2022

Susana Reviews Her Tooth Extraction Procedure Watch Review

"My name is Susana. I live in Tucson and my daughter's name is Belen, and I brought her here for baby teeth extractions. We had a good experience with Arizona Oral Surgeons. The staff was very caring, and they were very helpful. Dr. Holbrook explained the procedure, and he was very compassionate. The recovery was amazing. She recovered so fast that I don't know if she noticed that she had the extractions done. For all my friends and family in Tanque Verde, Vail, and Green Valley, I highly recommend Arizona Oral Surgeons."

Meet DottieFebruary 2017

Dottie Reviews Her Tooth Extraction Procedure Watch Review

"I was referred by my primary dentist when I had an old bridge break at the gum line, and so knew it had to be extracted and an implant done. Very warm welcoming; greeted very professionally. Dr. Coles was very calm, collected, explained everything, put everyone at ease. The staff is phenomenal — they are great. They always greet you by name; they greet you with a smile. They make sure that scheduling is per your schedule — they'll make adjustments. They're very pleasant on the phone. I get reminders. They're excellent to work with. I've told numerous people, "Don't go anywhere else. Come and see Dr. Coles.""

Exceptional Outcomes From a Team You Can Trust

We’ve been caring for patients in southern Arizona for over 50 years. As board-certified experts, our surgeons bring years of training and expertise to you and your loved ones with the highest standards. Learn more about our office or contact Arizona Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons today to see how we can improve your oral health.

Trusted care for all your 
oral and maxillofacial needs.

Tucson Office

7455 E Tanque Verde Rd
Tucson, AZ 85715

Hours

Mon–Thur: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM 
Fri: 7:00 AM–2:00 PM

Oro Valley Office

1876 E Innovation Park Drive
Oro Valley, AZ 85755

Hours

Mon–Thur: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Fri: 7:00 AM–2:00 PM

Sahuarita Office

16045 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd
Sahuarita, AZ 85629

Hours

Mon–Thur: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Fri: 7:00 AM–2:00 PM
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