WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF YOUR EXTRACTION

We’re delighted you’ve chosen us for your tooth extraction. When you arrive, our friendly team will welcome you and guide you through check‑in. We'll verify any updates to your health history, medications, and insurance, complete your consent forms, process payment, and handle any prescriptions you may need. We’ll also book your follow‑up visit to monitor your healing and ensure everything is progressing smoothly.

Once everything is in order, a team member will escort you to the surgical suite. We’ll ensure you’re comfortable in the chair and offer you a blanket and sunglasses. Feel free to bring your headphones. Before beginning, we’ll review the planned procedure once more and answer any final questions. Dr. Jensen will administer a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. If you require additional relaxation, available sedation options can be discussed before your appointment. Please see IV sedation page. You may sense pressure during the procedure, but you should not experience any pain.

After the tooth has been removed and sutures placed, we’ll clean the site and place a piece of gauze to help control bleeding and encourage clot formation. You’ll be asked to bite down gently on the gauze to support proper healing. We’ll give you your pain medication and review post‑operative care with you verbally, and you’ll also receive printed instructions to take home.

Once you’re home, be sure to rest and avoid strenuous activity for at least the first 24 hours. It’s normal to experience mild bleeding, swelling, or tenderness—and these symptoms typically ease within a few days. Applying an ice pack to your cheek in intervals of about 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off can help reduce both swelling and discomfort for the first day.

Most people begin to feel much better within a few days and can return to their usual routine within two or three days. It’s common for discomfort to peak around day three. While you might feel better quickly, full healing takes longer—your jawbone needs several weeks to recover and is typically ready for implant placement about three to four months after the extraction. Though complications are rare, if you experience persistent bleeding, severe pain, increasing swelling, fever, or any signs of infection, please contact us right away.

Above all, we are here to support you every step of the way—from your arrival and procedure through recovery and follow‑up care.