Why a tooth may need to come out
- Severe decay
- A fractured or cracked tooth
- Advanced gum disease
- An impacted tooth that can't come through properly
- Crowding
- Damage from an accident
We try to save a tooth first. An infected tooth can often be kept with root canal treatment instead, and if that's possible, we'll tell you.
What happens
Most extractions are simple. A tooth that has broken off at the gumline, or hasn't come through, may need a surgical extraction. The gum is opened, or the tooth is removed in pieces. These complex cases are sometimes handled by an oral surgeon, and we'll tell you if yours needs one.
- 01The tooth and gum are numbed with local anaesthetic.
- 02The tooth is loosened and lifted out with dental instruments.
- 03The socket is cleaned. Stitches are used only if needed.
- 04You bite on gauze to control the bleeding before you go home.
How our dentists manage it
How we manage your tooth extraction
Try to save the tooth first
We check whether the tooth can be kept, for example with root canal treatment, before we recommend taking it out.
Plan for the gap
Before the tooth comes out, we talk through whether and how to replace it: an implant, a bridge or a partial denture.
Numb it fully and take our time
The tooth and gum are numbed with local anaesthetic, and we don't rush. If you're nervous, tell us when you book.
Clear aftercare
You leave knowing how to protect the blood clot, what is normal over the next week and when to call us.
Recovery and aftercare
Discomfort, swelling and some bruising are normal. They are usually worst around day three and settle within a week. For the first few days:
- Bite gently on gauze for 15 minutes to control bleeding, and repeat if needed
- Use an ice pack, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, to bring swelling down
- Eat soft foods such as rice, eggs and yoghurt
- Don't use a straw, smoke or vape, as these can dislodge the blood clot
- Don't spit or rinse hard
- Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 48 to 72 hours
Dry socket
Dry socket happens when the blood clot in the socket doesn't form or is dislodged. It affects about 2 to 5% of extractions, is more common after wisdom teeth, and usually develops within the first three days. With care it heals in 7 to 10 days.
Call us if you have a fever of 38°C or more, pus coming from the socket, or pain that painkillers don't control.
Replacing the tooth
A gap can be filled with a dental implant, a bridge or a partial denture. We can talk through the options before the tooth comes out.
Who treats you
Tooth Extraction at Dental Plus
With a painful tooth, the first thing we ask is whether it can be saved. Sometimes taking it out is the right answer. When it is, you'll know what to expect afterwards and what can go in the gap.
Extractions are part of general dentistry at Dental Plus and are done under local anaesthetic.
he not only gives his patients the due time required but also deals with them in a well professional way.”Read more Dental Plus patient reviews
Common questions about tooth extraction
Does having a tooth out hurt?
The tooth and gum are numbed with local anaesthetic first. Some soreness afterwards is normal and is usually worst around day three.
When can I go back to work?
Most people go back to work or school within one to two days, and to all their normal activities after 48 to 72 hours.
How do I avoid dry socket?
Protect the blood clot: don't smoke, vape, use a straw or rinse hard in the first few days. Dry socket usually shows up within three days and heals in 7 to 10 days with care.
What can I eat after an extraction?
Soft foods such as rice, pasta, eggs and yoghurt for the first few days. Avoid using a straw, which can dislodge the blood clot.
How long does the socket take to heal?
Most soreness settles within a week, but the bone takes several weeks to heal, and up to four months after a large molar is removed.
Guides on this topic
- Wisdom Teeth: Problems, Removal and RecoveryWhen wisdom teeth need removing, what happens on the day, how long recovery takes, and the warning signs to look out for afterwards.
Related treatments
- Dental ImplantsA fixed replacement for a missing tooth, anchored in the jawbone.
- DenturesComplete and partial dentures, made to fit and adjusted until comfortable.
- Crowns & BridgesCaps that protect damaged teeth, and bridges that fill gaps.
- Root Canal TreatmentTreating an infected nerve so you can keep the tooth.
How this guide was made
Dental Plus, a family dental clinic in Bahria Town, Rawalpindi, publishes this guide. It was drafted with the help of AI writing tools. Every medical statement was then checked against the sources below, last on 6 October 2026. What we say about our own clinic, our dentists and how we treat patients comes from the clinic. Patient quotes are copied word for word from Google reviews.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. For advice about your own teeth, book an examination.