How Long Does a Tooth Extraction Take?

Tooth extraction is a more formal way of saying you are having a tooth pulled. If your dentist has recommended this, then you may be feeling a little anxious, wondering what happens during the procedure and how long it is going to last. This is all completely normal. 

To help ease your mind about your upcoming tooth extraction, let’s go over what you can expect during the procedure. 

Why Would a Patient Need a Tooth Extraction?

There are many reasons why someone may need a tooth extraction, including having a tooth that may be: 

• Causing overcrowding or a misalignment
• Fractured below the gum line
• Impacted or otherwise mispositioned
• Too damaged for a veneer or dental crown
• Full of decay and unable to be salvaged

Extracting a tooth opens you up to new opportunities for alternative tooth replacement, including dental implants and dental bridges. 

How Long Does a Tooth Extraction Take? 

The extraction itself will usually only take a few minutes – no more than 15. This is per tooth. In other words, if you are having more than one tooth pulled, you will need to multiply this time. 

Most dentists will set aside 45 minutes to an hour or so for a tooth extraction procedure. However, that is for the entire visit – not just the procedure itself. See, they want you to feel comfortable and not rushed. You will arrive at your appointment and, once in the chair, a numbing agent will be administered to the tooth and the area around it so that you won’t feel anything during the procedure. Keep in mind that it does take about 10 to 15 minutes to feel the full effect. 

There are pre- and post-activities that may also need to be accounted for, such as check-in,  x-rays, preparation, going over recovery instructions, and so forth. If you require certain types of sedation, you may need to allow time for that to wear off before getting out of the chair. 

All of these things do take time and can easily impact how long your tooth extraction appointment will last. 

What Happens During a Tooth Extraction? 

Once you are in the chair and ready to go, your dentist will begin to loosen the tooth using special tools. This enlarges the socket and allows the tooth to be pulled out. Don’t worry, you will not feel any pain during the procedure, though it is possible that you may feel pressure. 

As soon as the tooth is removed, the dentist will place a piece of gauze in the socket where the tooth was and ask you to bite down. This applies pressure and will help the blood clot so it stops bleeding. The dentist may or may not apply stitches to the extraction site. 

Costello Oral Surgery Associates in New Jersey provides expert oral and maxillofacial surgery services to Paramus, Maywood, Franklin Lakes, Wayne, Bergen, and Passaic Counties.