When Simple Extraction Isn't Enough.
A simple extraction involves loosening and removing a tooth that is visible above the gumline and structurally intact. A surgical extraction is required when the tooth is impacted beneath the gum, broken at or below the gumline, has curved or fused roots, or has previously undergone a failed root canal that made the root brittle.
During a surgical extraction, a small incision is made in the gum tissue to access the tooth. The tooth may be divided into sections to allow for safer, less traumatic removal piece by piece. The site is then cleaned, grafted if needed, and sutured closed for proper healing.
- Required for broken, impacted, or root-fused teeth
- Performed under local anesthesia with sedation available
- Sectioning technique minimizes trauma to surrounding bone
When Surgical Extraction Is the Right Choice.
Broken Below the Gumline
Teeth that fracture at or below the gumline cannot be grasped and removed conventionally — surgical access is required to retrieve the remaining root.
Impacted Teeth
Wisdom teeth and other teeth trapped beneath the gumline require surgical removal to prevent damage to neighboring roots and bone.
Curved or Fused Roots
Roots that curve, diverge, or fuse to the surrounding bone require sectioning the tooth to remove each piece without fracturing the root further.
Failed Root Canal Teeth
Root canal treatment can make tooth structure brittle. Surgical sectioning allows careful, controlled removal without shattering the root in the socket.
Healing Well and Planning What's Next.
Recovery from surgical extraction is typically 5–7 days of reduced activity, with most discomfort well-managed through prescribed medication and cold compresses. Sutures are placed to close the site and promote clean healing — they dissolve on their own or are removed at a short follow-up visit.
If you plan to replace the tooth with an implant, we place a socket preservation bone graft at the time of extraction. This prevents the bone loss that begins almost immediately after removal and dramatically simplifies implant placement 3–4 months later.
- Most discomfort resolves within 5–7 days
- Dissolving sutures — no separate removal appointment needed
- Bone graft placed same day when implant is planned
Complex Cases Are Our Specialty.
If you’ve been told your tooth is “too difficult” to remove elsewhere, or you’re dealing with a broken or impacted tooth causing pain, book a consultation. We handle complex surgical extractions routinely — and we’ll make sure you’re completely comfortable throughout.