Tooth Extraction in Tucson AZ for Pain, Infection, and Same Day Relief
A tooth that throbs through the night, a molar that has split in half, or a front tooth knocked loose from a fall. When decay, fracture, or infection has destroyed too much structure to save with a filling, crown, or root canal, tooth extraction removes the source of the problem and lets the area heal properly.
At Wilmot Family Dentistry in Tucson, we perform every type of tooth extraction in our office, from a single simple pull to full mouth removal before dentures. You get an X-ray and exam first, so you know why the tooth needs to come out and what comes next. We provide a written cost estimate before any work begins and accept most dental insurance, along with financing for patients without coverage.
Tooth Extraction Services We Offer in Tucson
The type of extraction depends on where the tooth sits, how much structure remains above the gumline, and what is happening beneath the surface. A visible tooth with intact roots is a different procedure from a molar broken off at the gumline with curved roots buried in dense bone.
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Meet Your Tucson Family Dentist
Office Information
(520) 438-6200
899 N Wilmot Rd A2, Tucson, AZ 85711
OFFICE HOURS
Monday & Wednesday: 8 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday & Thursday: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 8 AM – 12 PM
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Tooth Extraction Options & Services
Simple Tooth Extraction
A simple extraction removes a tooth that is fully visible above the gum with intact roots. The area is numbed with local anesthesia, the tooth is loosened from the periodontal ligament using an elevator, and lifted out with forceps. No incision is needed, and the gum tissue remains intact throughout the procedure. The whole process takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
A blood clot forms in the empty socket within the first hour, protecting the alveolar bone underneath and starting the healing process. This clot also protects the bone and nerve endings. If it gets dislodged, it can lead to dry socket, which is one of the main causes of post-extraction pain.
Most of our patients feel sore for a day or two and return to normal eating within a week. We check the socket at your follow-up to confirm healing is on track.
Surgical Tooth Extraction
A surgical extraction is needed when the tooth has broken off at the gumline, has roots that curve or hook into the bone, or sits in a position that forceps cannot grip. A small incision in the gum tissue exposes the tooth and surrounding bone. The tooth may be sectioned into pieces for easier removal.
The site is closed with stitches that dissolve on their own within seven to ten days. Recovery takes two to three weeks. We numb the area completely, and you feel pressure and movement but never sharp pain. Your aftercare instructions are reviewed with you before you leave.
Broken or Cracked Tooth Extraction
A tooth that has split from biting down on something hard, fractured during a fall, or cracked around an old, large filling may not leave enough structure to anchor a crown. When the fracture line runs below the gumline or into the root, the tooth cannot be rebuilt.
These extractions are almost always surgical because the remaining pieces sit below the surface. We use imaging to locate every fragment before starting, so nothing gets left behind. If the break came from trauma, we check the neighboring teeth and jaw for additional damage at the same visit.
Infected Tooth Extraction
An infection at the root of a tooth builds pressure, creates swelling, and can spread into the jawbone, neck, or bloodstream if it goes untreated. Signs include throbbing pain that will not let up, a swollen jaw or cheek, pus near the gumline, fever, and a foul taste. A periapical abscess at the root tip means the infection has moved past what a root canal can reach.
We may prescribe antibiotics before the extraction to bring the swelling down, or pull the tooth the same day with antibiotics afterwards. Once infection reaches the surrounding bone, it does not clear on its own.
Removing the tooth removes the source and stops it from spreading further. We monitor your healing closely and schedule a follow-up to make sure the infection has cleared.
Molar and Back Tooth Extraction
Molars sit at the back of the mouth, where access is tight. They have two to three roots, anchor into denser bone, and take more force to loosen than front teeth. A molar extraction takes longer and may need a surgical approach even when the tooth is fully visible.
The most common reasons are deep decay that has reached the pulp, cracked roots from years of heavy chewing, and failed crowns or large fillings that have left too little tooth behind.
We plan molar extractions carefully using X-rays to map every root before the procedure begins.
Multiple Tooth Extraction and Full Mouth Extraction
Some patients need more than one tooth pulled. Severe decay across several teeth, advanced gum disease, or preparation for dentures or implants are all reasons for multiple extractions in a planned sequence. Full mouth extraction can be done in stages or in a single visit with sedation.
We plan the extractions around your replacement so the ridge heals in the right shape for a secure fit. Socket preservation or bone grafting is placed at the time of extraction when implants are part of your long-term plan. You leave with a clear timeline for every step ahead.
Emergency Tooth Extraction
A tooth that cracks in half during dinner, an abscess that balloons overnight, or a tooth knocked partially out from a hit to the face. These situations cannot sit for two weeks. Waiting raises the risk of infection spreading, bone damage, and losing neighbouring teeth. Pain that escalates quickly or spreads into the jaw or ear should not be delayed. These cases tend to worsen within days, not weeks.
We reserve time during business hours for same-day emergency extractions. Call our office as soon as the problem starts. If a tooth has been knocked out, hold it by the crown and keep it in milk or saliva until you reach us. We prioritize getting you out of pain and stabilizing the area the same day.
Painless Tooth Extraction and Sedation Options
Local anesthesia completely numbs the tooth, gum, and surrounding bone before any extraction begins. You feel pressure and movement as the tooth is loosened, but no sharp or cutting pain. The numbness lasts one to three hours after the procedure.
For patients who feel anxious, we offer oral sedation and nitrous oxide alongside the local anesthetic. Our team walks you through what you will feel at each stage so there are no surprises. Patients who expect a difficult experience are often surprised by how controlled and manageable the procedure feels once numbness takes effect.
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What to Expect Before, During, and After Tooth Extraction
Before extraction, X-rays or a 3D scan map the roots, check the bone, and spot complications before they happen. Your medical history and current medications are reviewed. Patients on blood thinners like warfarin may need dosage adjustments before the procedure. You receive a written treatment plan and cost estimate at this visit.
During the extraction, the area is numbed completely with local anesthesia. Simple extractions use an elevator and forceps. Surgical extractions involve a small gum incision, possible bone adjustment, and stitches. You should feel firm pressure but zero sharp pain at any point.
After the extraction, gauze is placed over the socket, and you bite down with steady pressure for 30 to 45 minutes. A blood clot forms in the socket and protects the bone underneath. You go home with written aftercare instructions covering diet, activity, medication, and warning signs to watch for.
Tooth Extraction Recovery and Aftercare
Healing time depends on the type of extraction. A simple extraction closes over in about one to two weeks. A surgical extraction takes two to three weeks for the soft tissue to heal. Full mouth extractions need four to six weeks before the gums are ready for denture impressions. Bone remodelling beneath the surface continues for several months regardless of the extraction type.
Dry socket is the most common complication. It happens when the blood clot in the socket gets dislodged or dissolves too early, leaving the alveolar bone exposed. Symptoms show up three to five days after extraction: throbbing pain that radiates to the ear, a bad taste, and a visible empty socket where the clot should be.
Prevent it by avoiding straws, smoking, spitting, and aggressive rinsing for the first 24 hours. If it happens, call us. We place a medicated dressing over the site that relieves pain and protects the bone while a new clot forms.
- Eat soft foods for the first two to three days.
- Yogurt, soup, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and smoothies made without a straw are all safe choices.
- Return to firmer foods gradually as the soreness fades. Stay away from crunchy, sharp, or spicy foods until the site has closed over.
- Skip heavy exercise and lifting for the first 24 to 48 hours to keep blood pressure low and reduce the chance of bleeding.
Book Online Today
Schedule an appointment easily by filling out the online form. Our front desk staff will contact you soon to confirm your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a tooth extraction cost in Tucson?
A simple extraction in Tucson costs $150 to $350. Surgical extractions run $250 to $600. Molar extractions range from $300 to $650. Wilmot Family Dentistry provides a written cost breakdown before any extraction begins.
How long does a tooth extraction take to heal?
A simple extraction heals in one to two weeks. Surgical extractions take two to three weeks. Full mouth extractions need four to six weeks before the gums are ready for the next step. Bone beneath the surface continues remodelling for several months.
Does tooth extraction hurt?
The area is completely numbed with local anesthesia before the extraction starts. You feel pressure and movement but no sharp pain. Oral sedation and nitrous oxide are available for patients with dental anxiety. Soreness after the procedure is managed with prescribed medication and ice.
Is it better to pull a tooth or get a root canal?
A root canal saves the tooth when enough healthy structure remains to hold a crown. Extraction is the right choice when the tooth is cracked below the bone, the infection has spread beyond the root, or a previous root canal has failed. We present both options with costs and long-term outcomes so you can decide with full information.
How do I know if I have dry socket?
Throbbing pain that starts three to five days after the extraction, a bad taste in the mouth, and a visible empty socket where a blood clot should be. Call our office if you notice these signs. We place a medicated dressing that relieves pain and protects the bone.
Where can I get a tooth extracted in Tucson?
Wilmot Family Dentistry in Tucson, AZ performs simple, surgical, emergency, and full mouth extractions in-office. Dr. Lyman handles every type of extraction without outside referrals. Call (520) 438-6200 to schedule your appointment.