Home / Treatments / Tooth Extraction
Tooth Extractions in Columbus, OH
Some teeth cannot be saved: deep decay, a fracture below the gumline, advanced gum disease, or a failed root canal. A specialist extraction removes the tooth comfortably and, just as importantly, sets up the right next step so the gap does not shift your bite or shrink your jawbone. Planning the replacement before the extraction is what separates a routine removal from a rushed one. Most extractions take well under an hour, and with modern anesthesia and sedation options, patients routinely say the anticipation was worse than the visit.
What is a tooth extraction?
Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone, performed when a tooth cannot be saved by a filling, crown, or root canal. Simple extractions remove visible teeth with hand instruments, while surgical extractions address teeth that are broken, impacted, or below the gumline.
When extraction is urgent: same-day options
- Severe pain or swelling: Throbbing tooth pain, a swollen cheek, or pain that keeps you up at night usually needs same-day evaluation.
- Signs of infection: Fever, a bad taste that will not go away, or swelling that spreads are treated urgently, often with drainage or antibiotics first.
- Trauma or a broken tooth: A tooth broken in an accident or cracked below the gumline is triaged the same day to see what can be saved.
- What same-day care includes: Exam, X-rays, and treatment focused on relief: a same-day extraction, drainage, or medication. The permanent replacement is planned afterward with a written estimate.
What to know about tooth extraction
Simple vs. surgical
A simple extraction removes a visible tooth with hand instruments. A surgical extraction is needed when a tooth is broken, impacted, or below the gumline. Your exam and imaging determine which applies before the day of the visit.
Replacement planned, not postponed
Before your extraction you will know your options: implant, bridge, or grafting to preserve the site for later. Deciding with a clear head beats deciding under pressure months later.
Sedation for anxious patients
From nitrous oxide to IV sedation, comfort options are matched to your anxiety level and medical history. Many patients are surprised how uneventful the visit feels.
Who is this for?
- Patients with broken, decayed, or infected teeth that cannot be restored
- Anyone told a tooth needs removal before orthodontics or implant treatment
- Patients in pain who need a prompt evaluation
What does it cost in Columbus?
$300 to $650 per tooth for surgical extraction (self-pay); simple extractions cost less. With typical dental insurance, many patients pay $75 to $250 out of pocket per tooth. Your written estimate shows the exact figure before treatment.
Sedation and surgery decisions are made with your surgeon at your consultation, based on your health history and exam.
Your visit, step by step
Exam and X-rays: your dentist's referral and X-rays are reviewed, or new imaging is taken. Your surgeon confirms whether the extraction is simple or surgical and explains sedation choices.
Extraction day: the area is fully numbed before anything begins. Surgical extractions involve a small gum opening to access the tooth. Most visits take well under an hour.
Site preservation: if you plan an implant later, grafting material can be placed in the socket during the same visit to protect the bone.
Recovery
Bite gently on gauze for the first hour, then rest for the remainder of the day with ice on the cheek in 20-minute intervals. Soft foods for several days, no straws, no smoking, and no vigorous rinsing for the first 24 hours. Most people return to work the next day. Some oozing and mild swelling are normal; pain that spikes after day three deserves a call.
Risks, discussed honestly
For a simple extraction the risk list is short: dry socket, which brings sharp pain a few days after surgery and is treatable in the office, plus the usual soreness and swelling. Surgical extractions, where the tooth is sectioned or bone is removed, carry the same nerve-proximity considerations as wisdom teeth surgery. Your X-ray at the consultation shows which category your extraction falls into, so the risk discussion is about your tooth, not extractions in general.
What happens if you wait?
A tooth that cannot be saved will not improve with time. Infection can spread to the jawbone or sinuses, pain tends to escalate rather than fade, and every month of waiting means more bone loss, which complicates the replacement you will eventually need. If anxiety is the reason for delaying, mention it at the consultation: sedation exists precisely for that situation, and most patients are surprised how manageable the visit feels. Acting while the problem is small keeps every option, including the simplest extraction and the widest choice of replacements, on the table.
Frequently asked questions
Related treatments
Related guides
Ready to talk it over?
One consultation gives you a scan, a plan, and a real number for tooth extraction. Then you decide. No pressure, no obligation.
Request My Consultation