Dental Extractions San Antonio
Dental extractions become necessary when a tooth becomes impacted or damaged beyond repair. At La Cantera Dental Group, we do everything that we can to preserve your natural teeth. However, we can perform extractions to protect the rest of your teeth and mouth if that one tooth is causing too many problems.
Types of Dental Extractions
Not all extractions are the same! Certain situations can determine whether you need a simple or surgical dental extraction. Here is the difference between the two:
Simple extraction – the dentist removes what’s visible above the gum line with an elevator and forceps.
Surgical extraction – the dentist will cut into the gum line to remove the tooth and what’s underneath.
Why Do People Need Their Teeth Pulled?
Several factors can cause the need for a tooth extraction. We may recommend this surgery if you are suffering from any of the following concerns:
- Crowded teeth
- Infection
- Impacted teeth
- Traumatic damage
Recovering from a Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction recovery should take a few days. To ensure it goes as smoothly as possible, follow these quick tips:
- Rest for the first 24 hours after the surgery
- Reduce swelling by applying an ice pack over the affected area
- Don’t drink through a straw for the first 24 hours after the surgery
- Eat soft foods during your recovery period
- Avoid the extraction site when brushing and flossing
Tooth Extractions Close to Home in San Antonio
We perform simple and surgical tooth extractions at two San Antonio offices: La Cantera Dental Group at 15900 La Cantera Pkwy, Suite 20250 (inside The Shops at La Cantera, convenient to UTSA, The Rim and Leon Springs) and Park Oaks Dental at 16616 San Pedro Ave (serving Stone Oak, Hollywood Park and Shavano Park). Our surgical dentist, Dr. Vandan Desai, completed a two-year residency that included wisdom teeth extraction, so most surgical extractions and wisdom teeth removal are handled in-house instead of being referred out.
Nervous about having a tooth pulled? We offer several levels of sedation dentistry, and we save time for same-day emergency appointments when a tooth is broken, infected or painful.
What San Antonio Patients Say
Our La Cantera office holds a 4.9-star rating from more than 750 Google reviews. Here is what a few extraction patients shared:
"I have a lot of dental anxiety and the extraction I got was the best extraction I've ever received." – Andrea G., Google review
"Wisdom tooth extraction was a breeze with them. Highly recommend." – Ashley S., Google review
"I recommend this place for anyone who needs an extraction same day." – Felix B., Google review
Read more on our patient reviews page.
Dental Extraction FAQs
Does a tooth extraction hurt?
The area is fully numbed before we begin, so you should feel pressure but not pain. For surgical extractions or anxious patients, we also offer nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation.
How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?
Most patients feel back to normal within a few days, while the site keeps healing over the next couple of weeks. Follow our post-operative instructions to protect the blood clot and avoid dry socket.
Can I get a tooth pulled the same day in San Antonio?
Often, yes. Call our La Cantera office at (210) 877-0000 or Park Oaks Dental at (210) 491-9898, and we will do our best to see you the same day.
How can I replace a tooth after it is pulled?
Depending on the tooth, we may recommend a dental implant, a dental bridge or a partial denture. If you plan to get an implant, a bone graft placed at the time of the extraction helps preserve the jawbone.
Should I have the tooth pulled or try to save it?
We always try to save a natural tooth first, often with a root canal and a crown. Learn more in our article When Is a Tooth Extraction the Best Treatment Option?
Want to Learn More About Dental Extractions?
If you have a dental concern that may require a tooth extraction, we’re more than happy to assist. Contact La Cantera Dental Group if you have any questions or to learn more about extractions at our offices! We have one location on La Cantera Pkwy and another at the Park Oaks Center.
