At a glance
A tooth extraction removes a tooth that is too damaged, infected or crowded to keep. We do extractions in our Richmond office, including wisdom teeth, using local anesthetic only. You will feel pressure but should not feel sharp pain.
Most extractions take one visit. Cost depends on the tooth and is given in a written estimate. Same-day emergency visits are available during office hours.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visits | Usually 1 visit, plus a check if needed |
| Numbing | Local anesthetic to numb the area; you stay awake and comfortable |
| Price | Written estimate before treatment (see dental prices) |
| Wisdom teeth | Yes, in-office; some complex cases are referred |
| Insurance | Most PPO plans (benefits checked before your visit), Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits, and Texas Medicaid/CHIP for children (DentaQuest, MCNA, UHC Dental) |
| Saturday appointments | Yes, Saturdays 9am–3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday |
Do you need a tooth pulled?
We save teeth whenever that makes sense. An extraction is usually recommended when:
- A tooth is broken below the gum line or split down the middle
- Decay is too deep for a filling, crown or root canal
- A tooth is loose from advanced gum disease
- A wisdom tooth keeps getting infected, is pushing on the tooth in front, or cannot be cleaned
- An infection keeps coming back and the tooth cannot be treated
Wisdom tooth pain that comes and goes is common; our guide Why does wisdom tooth pain come and go? explains why.
What happens at your extraction visit?
- We examine the tooth and take an X-ray to see the roots and nearby structures.
- We go over your health history and medicines, including blood thinners.
- The tooth and surrounding gum are numbed with local anesthetic.
- The tooth is gently loosened and removed. Some teeth are taken out in sections to protect the bone.
- Gauze is placed to control bleeding and help a clot form. Stitches are used if needed.
- We give you written aftercare instructions and talk about replacing the tooth if it matters for chewing or your smile.
Cost, insurance and financing
Extraction cost depends on whether the tooth is fully visible or needs a surgical approach, such as an impacted wisdom tooth or a broken root. We give you a written estimate before we start; see dental prices.
Most PPO plans and Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits help pay for this kind of treatment. We check your benefits before your visit and tell you what your plan is likely to cover, so the number you see is close to the number you pay. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental care. Texas Medicaid/CHIP is accepted for children only. We treat children in our office from age 1 and refer to a pediatric dentist only if a child needs to be sedated for treatment. See our insurance page for details.
We accept Cherry, Sunbit and CareCredit for patient financing (see financing options), and you can use an FSA or HSA card for dental treatment.
Recovery and aftercare
Bite on gauze for the first 30 to 45 minutes, and change it if bleeding continues. For the first few days, avoid straws, smoking and spitting hard, all of which can dislodge the clot and cause a painful dry socket. Eat soft foods and chew on the other side.
Our tooth extraction aftercare instructions cover the first 24 hours through full healing.
What are the alternatives to an extraction?
| Option | When it applies | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Root canal and crown | Infected tooth with enough healthy structure | Keeps your tooth; root canal from $899 plus a crown from $1,199 |
| Crown | Cracked tooth that has not split | Holds the tooth together; from $1,199 |
| Gum treatment | Loose tooth from gum disease that is not too advanced | May stabilize the tooth; needs ongoing care |
| Extraction | Tooth cannot be saved | Plan a bridge, implant or partial denture if needed |
When to call us
Call us for a severe toothache, a broken tooth, or a wisdom tooth that is swollen and sore. After an extraction, call if bleeding does not slow with firm pressure, pain gets worse after the third day, or you have a bad taste and an empty-looking socket. For spreading facial swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, high fever or uncontrolled bleeding, go to the ER or call 911. Call (832) 612-2831 — we’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Why patients in Richmond choose us
- Saturday appointments from 9am to 3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday, so treatment does not have to mean a day off work (Saturday dentist in Richmond).
- Published self-pay prices for common treatment and a written estimate for everything else, with insurance benefits checked before your visit.
- Extractions, including wisdom teeth, done in our office as part of our restorative and oral surgery care, with same-day emergency visits during office hours.
- Two dentists, Dr. Arpitkumar Patel and Dr. Harsh Patel, and a team that speaks English, Spanish, Gujarati and Hindi.
Related guides
- How soon can you eat solid food after a tooth extraction?
- When to stop using gauze after wisdom tooth extraction
- When emergency tooth extractions are necessary and what happens next
- Emergency tooth extraction in Richmond: tooth pain not to ignore
- Why does wisdom tooth pain come and go?
Frequently asked questions
No. We use local anesthetic only, so you are awake but the area is numb. You will feel pressure but should not feel sharp pain. Let us know at any point if you need a break.
Often, yes, during office hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Call first so we can make room. Some teeth need planning or a referral, and we will tell you if so.
Yes, many wisdom teeth are removed in our office. If a tooth is deeply impacted or very close to a nerve, we may refer you to an oral surgeon.
Yes. We do extractions for children in our office with local anesthetic, including baby teeth that need to come out. If a child needs to be sedated for treatment, we refer you to a pediatric dentist.
Most people move from soft foods back to normal meals over several days as the socket heals. Our guide on eating after an extraction has a day-by-day plan.