ServicesExtractions
Tooth Extractions in Hickory Creek
When a tooth can't be saved, we take it out gently and with good numbing. Before we do, we talk through what goes in the gap next, whether that's an implant, a bridge or a denture. That way you know the full plan and cost up front.
When pulling a tooth is the right call
We don't pull teeth we can save. If a root canal and a crown will keep the tooth working, we'll tell you that first. An extraction makes sense when the tooth is split below the gum, too decayed to hold a filling or crown, loose from gum disease, or causing an infection that keeps coming back.
Most people focus on the day the tooth comes out. We spend more time on what happens after. A missing back tooth lets the teeth around it drift and tip, and the jawbone under the gap starts to shrink within months. If you might want a dental implant later, saving that bone now is a lot cheaper and easier than rebuilding it.
Our office has over 10 years of experience in general and implant dentistry, so the same team that removes the tooth can plan and place what replaces it.
What an extraction with us includes
Digital X-rays and a look at the roots
We check root shape, nearby nerves and sinus position before we start. If roots are curved or the tooth is close to the sinus, a CBCT scan shows it in 3D.
Simple or surgical removal
A tooth that is fully visible usually comes out in one piece. A broken or badly decayed tooth may need to be sectioned and lifted out in parts. We tell you which kind you need before the day.
Thorough numbing
We use local anesthetic and test that the area is fully numb before we begin. You'll feel pressure, but you shouldn't feel sharp pain. If you do, say so and we stop and add more.
Socket preservation when an implant is planned
If you plan to replace the tooth with an implant, we can place bone graft material in the socket right after removal. It helps hold the shape of the jaw while it heals.
Written aftercare and a check-up
You leave with gauze, simple instructions and a follow-up visit to make sure the socket is healing well.
Signs a tooth may need to come out
A crack that runs below the gum
Cracks above the gumline can often be crowned. A split that goes down into the root usually can't be fixed.
A tooth that keeps getting infected
Swelling, a pimple on the gum or a bad taste that returns after antibiotics points to an infection that may not clear while the tooth is there.
Looseness from gum disease
When bone loss leaves a tooth moving, it often can't be saved, and it can make chewing on that side hard.
Decay too deep to rebuild
If there isn't enough healthy tooth left to hold a crown, removal and a replacement is often the longer-lasting fix.
Teeth in the way of dentures
Some patients getting a full or partial denture need a few weak teeth removed first so the denture fits and stays put.
How your extraction visit goes
- 1
Evaluation and plan
We take X-rays, look at the tooth and talk through options, including whether it can be saved. You get the cost of the extraction and the replacement in writing before you decide.
- 2
Numbing and removal
We numb the area and wait until it is fully numb. Most single extractions take well under an hour in the chair.
- 3
Graft and stitches if needed
If an implant is in your plan, we place a bone graft. Surgical extractions may get a few stitches, which usually dissolve on their own.
- 4
Healing and next steps
Plan on soft foods and no straws or smoking for a few days to protect the clot. At your follow-up we check healing and set the timing for an implant, bridge or denture.
What affects the cost of an extraction
We give you the price before we start, not after. The biggest factors are how hard the tooth is to remove and what you want to do with the gap. Planning both at once usually saves money and an extra visit.
- Simple or surgical
- A tooth that comes out in one piece costs less than one that is broken at the gumline or needs to be sectioned.
- Number of teeth
- Removing several teeth in one visit, for example before dentures, is often more efficient than spreading it out.
- Bone graft
- Socket preservation adds to the extraction cost but can reduce or avoid grafting later when the implant goes in.
- Imaging
- Standard X-rays cover most teeth. A CBCT scan is added only when the roots or nearby nerves call for it.
- Your insurance or plan
- We're in-network with 15+ major PPO dental insurance plans, and most cover extractions. If you don't have insurance, our in-house membership plan can lower your cost.
Extraction questions we hear most
Something not covered here? (940) 242-4865
Does getting a tooth pulled hurt?
The area is numb, so you should feel pressure and some pushing, not sharp pain. Soreness for two or three days afterward is normal. Most patients manage it with over-the-counter pain relievers taken as we direct.
Should I replace the tooth, or just leave the gap?
Front teeth almost always get replaced. For back teeth, leaving the gap can let nearby teeth shift and the bone shrink over time. We'll lay out the options and costs so you can decide, and some patients choose to wait and budget for an implant later.
Can I get an implant right after the extraction?
Sometimes, if the bone is healthy and there's no active infection. More often we graft the socket and place the implant after a few months of healing. If an implant fails during the 4-month healing phase, we cover the cost of replacing it.
How do I avoid dry socket?
Dry socket happens when the blood clot gets dislodged. Skip straws, smoking and spitting hard for the first few days, and eat soft foods on the other side. If pain gets worse instead of better after day three, call us and we'll take a look.
Can I spread out the cost?
Yes. We offer 0% interest financing for up to 24 months, and checking for preapproval has no credit score impact. That can help if you're pairing the extraction with an implant or denture.
Are wisdom teeth handled the same way?
Wisdom teeth often sit partly in the bone and need a different plan. See our Wisdom Teeth Removal page for how we handle those.
Get a clear plan before the tooth comes out
A $25 focused evaluation covers the exam, digital X-rays, a CBCT scan if needed, and a treatment plan you can take home. Patients come to us from Lake Dallas, Corinth, Lewisville and nearby.