Tooth Extractions
Removing a tooth that cannot be saved — and preserving the socket so an implant stays possible.
Overview
Most extractions are straightforward: the tooth is loosened and lifted out under local anesthesia, usually in well under an hour. A surgical extraction is needed when the tooth is broken at the gum line, has curved roots, or — as with most wisdom teeth — has not fully erupted, and involves a small incision and sometimes sectioning the tooth to remove it in pieces rather than forcing it whole.
What happens to the empty socket matters more than most patients are told. Bone around an extraction site resorbs fastest in the first six months, and losing that width is the single most common reason an implant later needs a graft first. When an implant is in your plan, Denvida discusses socket preservation — a small graft placed at the time of extraction — or placing the implant immediately, so you are not paying to rebuild bone that did not need to be lost.
Options & Types
Simple extraction
For a tooth fully visible above the gum with accessible roots — local anesthesia, no incision.
Surgical extraction
For teeth broken at the gum line, with curved roots, or unerupted — including most wisdom teeth.
Extraction with socket preservation
A small graft placed into the socket at the time of removal, to keep enough bone width for a future implant.
The Process
- 1
Free consult + 3D scan
A CBCT scan shows the root shape and how close the nerve or sinus sits, which determines whether the extraction is simple or surgical.
- 2
Numbing & removal
Local anesthesia, then the tooth is loosened and lifted out; a surgical case may need a small incision and sectioning.
- 3
Socket care or immediate implant
The socket is cleaned and, where the plan calls for it, grafted or fitted with an implant the same day.
- 4
Healing & follow-up
Soft tissue closes over about two weeks. Most patients manage with over-the-counter pain medication for the first few days.
Cost & Financing
| Procedure | Bay Area range | Denvida |
|---|---|---|
| Simple extraction | $150–$400 | written estimate |
| Surgical extraction | $300–$700 | written estimate |
| Socket preservation graft | $400–$3,000 | case-by-case |
Ranges are Bay Area market references, not quotes. Extractions are usually covered as basic restorative at around 80% by PPO plans. Denvida gives a detailed written estimate before treatment and is in-network with Delta Dental & Cigna; financing available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a tooth extraction cost in the Bay Area?
A simple extraction typically costs $150–$400 and a surgical extraction $300–$700 at Bay Area market rates. Extractions are usually covered as basic restorative at around 80% by dental PPO plans, so the out-of-pocket amount is often modest. Denvida gives a free consultation with a written estimate and is in-network with Delta Dental and Cigna.
Should I get a bone graft when a tooth is extracted?
If an implant is in your plan, usually yes. Bone at an extraction site resorbs fastest in the first six months, and losing that width is the most common reason an implant later needs grafting first. A small socket preservation graft at the time of extraction costs far less than rebuilding the ridge afterwards. If the gap will be left alone or closed with a bridge, a graft is often unnecessary.
Can an implant be placed the same day a tooth is removed?
Often yes, when there is no active infection and enough healthy bone around the socket. Placing the implant immediately means one surgery instead of two and preserves the bone that would otherwise shrink. A CBCT scan at the free consultation determines whether your site qualifies — see Same-Day Dental Implants.
Does having a tooth pulled hurt?
The extraction itself is done under local anesthesia, so you feel pressure rather than pain. Most patients have soreness and some swelling for two to three days and manage it with over-the-counter pain medication. Surgical extractions and wisdom teeth tend to be sorer than simple ones for the first few days.
Related Services
Free consultation + 3D scan
Meet Dr. Na Zhao (DDS, PhD) for a no-obligation consultation, 3D scan and written estimate. Mandarin & Spanish spoken.