Extractions & Bone Grafting

Safe, Gentle Tooth Removal in Glendale

While preserving your natural teeth is always our first priority, there are times when extraction is the best path to protecting your oral health. At Glendale Dental Wellness, our team performs both simple and surgical extractions using gentle techniques, modern anesthesia, and sedation options so you can feel comfortable and at ease throughout the procedure.

When needed, we also offer bone grafting at the time of extraction to preserve your jawbone and prepare for future dental implants. From your initial evaluation through recovery, we guide you through every step so you always know what to expect.

When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?

Our approach is always conservative — we explore every option to save a tooth before recommending extraction. That said, removing a tooth is sometimes the best decision for your long-term health and comfort. Leaving a severely damaged or infected tooth in place can lead to spreading infection, bone loss, and damage to neighboring teeth.

Common Reasons for Tooth Extraction

• Severe tooth decay that has destroyed too much tooth structure for a filling, crown, or root canal to be effective
• Advanced gum disease (periodontitis) that has compromised the bone and tissue supporting the tooth
• Impacted wisdom teeth that are trapped beneath the gumline, causing pain, infection, or crowding
• Dental trauma — teeth fractured from an accident or injury beyond what a crown or bonding can repair
• Overcrowding when teeth need to be removed to create space for orthodontic treatment
• Failed root canal where a previously treated tooth has become reinfected and retreatment isn't viable
• Preparation for dentures or implants when remaining teeth need to be cleared for a full restoration

If you're unsure whether a tooth needs to be extracted, schedule a consultation. We'll take X-rays, evaluate the tooth, and walk you through all of your options before making any decisions together.

Types of Tooth Extractions

The type of extraction you need depends on the tooth's position, condition, and root structure. During your consultation, we'll take X-rays and evaluate your tooth to determine the safest and most comfortable approach. Learn more in our detailed guide to simple vs. surgical extractions.

Simple Extraction

A simple extraction is performed on a tooth that is fully visible above the gumline and has a relatively straightforward root. After numbing the area with local anesthesia, we use a dental elevator to gently loosen the tooth from the surrounding ligaments, then remove it with forceps. Simple extractions are quick — typically taking just a few minutes — and recovery is usually smooth, with most patients feeling back to normal within a few days.

Surgical Extraction

A surgical extraction is needed when a tooth hasn't fully erupted through the gum, is broken at or below the gumline, or has complex or curved roots. We make a small incision in the gum tissue and may need to remove a small amount of bone to access the tooth. In some cases, the tooth is carefully divided into sections for easier removal. Surgical extractions are performed under local anesthesia, often combined with sedation for your comfort.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth — your third molars — are the last teeth to develop, usually appearing between ages 17 and 25. Many people don't have enough room in their jaw for wisdom teeth to come in properly, which can lead to impaction, crowding, infection, and damage to adjacent teeth. We regularly perform wisdom teeth removal in Glendale and can often remove all four in a single visit under sedation so you can recover just once.

What to Expect During Your Extraction

Understanding what happens during the procedure can ease a lot of anxiety. Here's what a typical extraction appointment looks like at our Glendale office:

Before the Procedure

We begin with a thorough evaluation, including digital X-rays to assess the tooth's roots, position, and the surrounding bone. We'll review your medical history and current medications, then discuss your anesthesia and sedation options. If you're having IV sedation, we'll ask you to fast for 6 to 8 hours beforehand.

During the Procedure

Once you're numb and comfortable, the extraction itself is straightforward. For a simple extraction, you'll feel some pressure but no pain as we loosen and remove the tooth. Surgical extractions involve a small incision and sometimes gentle bone removal, but with sedation most patients feel relaxed and have little memory of the procedure. The entire process typically takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on complexity.

Your Sedation Options

We want every patient to feel at ease, which is why we offer multiple levels of comfort:

• Local anesthesia — numbs the tooth and surrounding tissue completely. You're awake but feel no pain.
• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) — a mild sedative inhaled through a small mask. It creates a calm, relaxed feeling and wears off within minutes after the mask is removed. You can drive yourself home.
• IV sedation — delivered through a small IV, this provides a deeper level of relaxation. Most patients feel drowsy and remember very little of the procedure. You'll need someone to drive you home.

Recovery After a Tooth Extraction

Knowing what to expect after your extraction helps you heal faster and avoid complications. For our complete guide, see Tooth Extraction Recovery & Aftercare. Here's a general timeline:

• First 24 hours: A blood clot forms in the socket — this is critical for healing. Rest, bite gently on gauze, and apply ice packs (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) to manage swelling.
• Days 2–3: Swelling typically peaks. Mild to moderate discomfort is normal and manageable with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication.
• Days 3–5: Pain and swelling begin to decrease noticeably. Most patients start feeling much better.
• Week 1: Gum tissue actively closes over the extraction site. You can usually resume normal activities.
• Weeks 2–3: Soft tissue is mostly healed. Any dissolvable stitches will have come out on their own.
• Months 1–3: The underlying bone fully rebuilds and remodels beneath the healed gum.

Bone Grafting for Jawbone Preservation

When a tooth is removed, the jawbone in that area begins losing density because it no longer receives stimulation from the tooth's root. Over time, this bone loss can change the shape of your jaw, affect neighboring teeth, and make it difficult or impossible to place a dental implant later. Bone grafting prevents this by filling the empty socket with bone material that encourages your body to regenerate new, healthy bone.

When Is a Bone Graft Recommended?

A bone graft is most commonly recommended when you plan to replace the extracted tooth with a dental implant. It's also recommended when significant bone loss has already occurred due to gum disease, long-term tooth loss, or a complex extraction that required bone removal. The graft is typically placed immediately after the tooth is removed — during the same appointment — so you don't need a separate procedure.

Types of Bone Grafts We Offer

• Socket Preservation Graft: The most common type. Bone graft material is placed directly into the empty socket right after extraction to maintain bone volume and prepare the site for a future implant.
• Ridge Augmentation: Used when the jawbone ridge has already lost significant width or height, often from teeth that were lost or extracted months or years ago without a graft.
• Sinus Lift: Adds bone to the upper jaw in the molar and premolar area, where the sinus cavity can expand downward after tooth loss, leaving insufficient bone height for implants.

Learn more about what to expect in our bone graft recovery guide.

After Extraction: Replacing Your Missing Tooth

Unless you're having wisdom teeth removed, it's important to think about how you'll replace an extracted tooth. Leaving a gap can cause your remaining teeth to shift, change your bite, and lead to further bone loss over time. We'll discuss your replacement options during your consultation so you have a clear plan:

• Dental implants — a titanium post placed in the jawbone that supports a natural-looking crown. Implants are the closest thing to a natural tooth and can last a lifetime with proper care.
• Dental bridge — a prosthetic tooth anchored to the teeth on either side of the gap. A good option when implants aren't feasible.
• Partial denture — a removable appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth. An affordable option that can be made quickly.