General Dentistry
Tooth Extraction in Downtown Los Angeles
Expert care, and a good deal less daunting than it sounds.
The thought of an extraction puts most people off. Modern dentistry has made them more comfortable and more straightforward than they used to be, and Dr. Kourosh Yousefzadeh and the team at Smile LA Downtown Modern Dentistry work to keep the experience as painless and stress-free as possible.
A last resort
Why an extraction becomes necessary
An extraction is a last resort, and we will always explore the other options before recommending one — a tooth you keep is almost always better than the best thing we can put in its place. Sometimes it is genuinely the right answer: severe decay, a tooth broken beyond restoring, or an infection that a root canal cannot resolve. Wisdom teeth are their own case, and often need removing to prevent crowding, misalignment and the problems that follow. If an extraction is the recommendation you will hear the reasoning behind it, and what would happen if it were left, before anything is scheduled. Modern technique has made the procedure itself a good deal less daunting than its reputation.
The two kinds
The two kinds we perform
- Simple extraction For a tooth visible above the gum line that can be removed straightforwardly. The area is numbed with a local anesthetic, the tooth is gently loosened, and it comes out with precision.
- Surgical extraction For a tooth broken below the gum line, or one that has not fully emerged. A small incision in the gum gives access to remove it. Dr. Kourosh has extensive experience with these, which is what keeps them smooth.
Wisdom teeth
Third molars typically emerge between 17 and 25. Given their size and the space available, they often cause crowding, improper chewing or misalignment of the teeth around them — and left alone they can lead to infections or cysts. We assess carefully and remove them where that is the right call, which is usually cheaper in every sense than dealing with what follows.
What to expect on the day
Beforehand we take a comprehensive X-ray to evaluate the tooth and the area around it, which is what lets us plan the procedure properly. Dr. Kourosh will talk you through the details, answer your questions and make sure you are comfortable before starting. Wear comfortable clothing, and follow the instructions the team gives you.
Recovery and aftercare
Some discomfort and swelling afterwards is normal.
- Managing it Over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen is usually enough. We give you gauze to control bleeding — change it as needed — and an ice pack on the area helps the swelling down.
- The first 24 hours Avoid spitting forcefully, smoking, or using a straw. All three can dislodge the blood clot and cause dry socket, which is genuinely painful.
- Keeping it clean Rinse with a saltwater solution and brush gently, avoiding the extraction site itself.
- Eating Soft, nutritious food — smoothies, mashed potatoes, yogurt. Good nutrition is part of healing.
- When to call us Persistent pain or swelling, or anything unusual such as a foul odor or discharge. Contact the office immediately.
The short answer
A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth that cannot be saved by other treatment, such as one with severe decay, a break beyond restoring or an infection a root canal cannot resolve. A simple extraction removes a tooth visible above the gum line under local anesthetic, while a surgical extraction uses a small incision in the gum to reach a tooth broken below the gum line or not fully emerged. It is treated as a last resort, and it is also used for wisdom teeth that cause crowding, misalignment, infections or cysts.
Tooth Extraction FAQ
- Will you take the tooth out straight away?
- No, a tooth is only removed when extraction is genuinely the right answer, because it is treated as a last resort. Every other treatment option is explored first, since a tooth you keep is almost always better than anything that can replace it. If an extraction is necessary, you will hear the reasoning and what would happen if the tooth were left before anything is scheduled.
- What is the difference between a simple and a surgical extraction?
- A simple extraction removes a tooth visible above the gum line under local anesthetic, while a surgical extraction reaches a tooth broken below the gum or not fully emerged through a small incision in the gum. In a simple extraction the area is numbed, the tooth is gently loosened, and it is removed. Either kind is planned from a comprehensive X-ray of the tooth and the area around it.
- When do wisdom teeth need removing?
- Wisdom teeth need removing when they cause, or are likely to cause, crowding, improper chewing or misalignment of the teeth around them. Third molars usually emerge between 17 and 25, and given their size and the space available they often run into these problems. Left alone they can also lead to infections or cysts, so each case is assessed and they are removed where that is the right call.
- What is dry socket and how do I avoid it?
- Dry socket is a painful condition that happens when the blood clot over the extraction site is dislodged. To avoid it, do not spit forcefully, smoke or drink through a straw for the first 24 hours. Rinsing with a saltwater solution and brushing gently while avoiding the extraction site itself also helps the area heal.
- What can I eat afterwards?
- Eat soft, nutritious food after an extraction, such as smoothies, mashed potatoes and yogurt. Good nutrition supports healing. Avoid drinking through a straw for the first 24 hours, because it can dislodge the blood clot and cause dry socket.
- When should I call the office?
- Call the office immediately if pain or swelling persists, or if anything unusual appears such as a foul odor or discharge. Do not wait for your follow-up appointment in those cases. Some discomfort and swelling after an extraction is normal, so it is persistence or something unusual that is the signal.
