Tooth extraction in Woodland Hills
Gentle care when a tooth can't be saved, and a clear plan for what comes next.
At a glance
- Dentist
- Dr. Nader Ahdout, DDS, USC School of Dentistry 1993
- Imaging
- Digital X-rays and a 3D CT scanner in the office
- Sedation
- Nitrous oxide or oral sedation, more than 23 years of experience
- Replacing the tooth
- Dr. Ahdout places every implant himself; implant consultations are free
- Insurance and payment
- Most PPO and HMO plans and Medi-Cal; payment plans through CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit
- Languages
- English, Spanish and Farsi
When a tooth can't be saved
When a tooth is broken past repair, badly infected, or loosened by gum disease, taking it out can be the healthiest choice. Patients come to us for tooth extractions from Woodland Hills and nearby Encino, Calabasas and Tarzana.
Dr. Nader Ahdout, USC School of Dentistry 1993, checks the tooth on digital X-rays, or on the office's 3D CT scanner when the roots need a closer look. If you're nervous, sedation dentistry is available. Because he places dental implants himself, the dentist who removes the old tooth can plan the new one.
More general dentistryWhat happens during a tooth extraction
- 1
Exam and imaging
We look at the tooth, its roots and the bone around it, and confirm that removing it is the right call.
- 2
Planning the gap
Before the tooth comes out, we talk through whether and how to replace it, so nothing about the next step is a surprise.
- 3
Numbing and comfort
The area is fully numbed. Nitrous oxide or oral sedation can help if you feel anxious.
- 4
Removing the tooth
The tooth is gently loosened and lifted out. A tooth that's broken at the gumline may be taken out in sections.
- 5
Going home
You bite on gauze while a clot forms, and leave with written aftercare instructions and a number to call.
Caring for the socket at home
The blood clot that forms in the empty socket protects the bone while it heals. These steps help it stay put.
- Bite gently on gauze until the bleeding slows
- Hold a cold pack to your cheek for 10 to 20 minutes at a time
- Stick to soft foods and chew on the other side
- Skip straws, smoking and hard rinsing for the first days
- Start gentle salt-water rinses after about three days
Simple vs. surgical tooth extraction
The two ways a tooth is taken out. Your exam shows which one your tooth needs.
Simple extraction
- Used for
- A tooth that can be seen above the gums
- Numbing
- Local anesthetic
- How it comes out
- Loosened and lifted out whole
- Healing
- The socket heals in about 1 to 2 weeks
- Afterward
- A dental implant, bridge or denture can fill the gap
Surgical extraction
- Used for
- A tooth broken at the gumline, or one that hasn't fully come in
- Numbing
- Local anesthetic, sometimes with sedation
- How it comes out
- Through a small opening in the gum, sometimes in pieces
- Healing
- The socket heals in about 1 to 2 weeks; the bone takes longer
- Afterward
- The same options, once the area has healed
In a patient’s words
“I had a very positive experience with Dr. Nader. The office was clean and well organized, and the staff were courteous and helpful from the moment I walked in.”
Nazanin G., Google review
A clear price before the tooth comes out
The cost depends on whether the extraction is simple or surgical and whether you choose sedation. You'll get a written estimate before anything starts. We accept most PPO and HMO plans and Medi-Cal, and offer payment plans through CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit.
Call (818) 340-3062Tooth Extraction FAQs
The cost of a tooth extraction depends on whether it's a simple or surgical extraction, which tooth it is, and whether you'd like sedation. You'll get a written estimate before treatment, and insurance often covers part of it.
A single tooth extraction usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, including numbing, as Cleveland Clinic notes.
The socket from a tooth extraction usually heals in 1 to 2 weeks, and the bone underneath takes longer, according to MedlinePlus. Most people are back to their usual routine within two or three days. If you're getting a dental implant, it usually goes in once the area has healed.
After a tooth extraction, eat soft foods such as yogurt, applesauce, eggs, pasta, rice and lukewarm soup, and chew on the other side. Avoid hard and crunchy foods for about a week so the socket isn't disturbed.
Wait at least 24 hours after a tooth extraction before using a straw, as MedlinePlus advises, and longer if you can. The suction can pull the blood clot out of the socket and cause a painful dry socket.
After a tooth extraction, bite gently but firmly on the gauze for about 15 minutes, then swap in a fresh piece and repeat if it's still bleeding, as Cleveland Clinic advises. Call us if heavy bleeding continues for several hours.
It's best not to smoke at all while a tooth extraction heals. Tobacco slows healing and raises the risk of dry socket, as the ADA explains, and the suction of smoking can loosen the clot.
Skip the gym and heavy lifting for 48 to 72 hours after a tooth extraction, as Cleveland Clinic advises.
Smiles created here
Read more on Google“I've been going to this practice for my dental needs for a long time, and I fully intend to keep coming back. The care and consistency here have always been excellent.”
“I had a great experience with Dr. Ahdout and his team. From the initial appointment to X-rays, deep cleaning, and my follow-up visit, everything was handled professionally and with care.”
“I recently had a root canal followed by a filling done by Dr. Ahdout, and I can honestly say he is one of the best dentists I have ever been to…”
“Dr. Ahdout and his team are truly excellent at what they do. From start to finish, their communication is clear, timely, and professional…”
Book a visit with Dr. Ahdout
Call or book online, and we'll find a time that works for you.
Visit our dental office on Ventura Boulevard
Our office is at 22116 Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills, close to Calabasas, Tarzana and West Hills.
Hours
- Monday: 9am–6pm
- Tuesday: 9am–6pm
- Wednesday: 9am–6pm
- Thursday: 9am–6pm
- Friday: 9am–1:30pm
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed