North GeorgiaOral Surgeon, home
(706) 969-7664 Request a visit Menu

Tooth extractions

Tooth extractions, done carefully

A tooth extraction removes a tooth that is broken, badly decayed, infected or in the way of orthodontic treatment. Dr. Abtin Shahriari performs simple and surgical extractions at North Georgia Oral Surgeon in Dawsonville, including premolars your orthodontist asks to have removed, with local anesthesia, nitrous oxide or IV sedation.

Request a visit (706) 969-7664

Who it is for

When a tooth has to go.

Saving a tooth is always the first goal. When that is no longer realistic, or when a tooth stands between you and a straighter bite, removing it can be the healthier choice. Coming from Gainesville or elsewhere in Hall County? Here is how visits work.

  • A tooth cracked below the gumline or broken too far to repair
  • Deep decay or an infection that a root canal cannot fix
  • Gum disease that has loosened a tooth beyond saving
  • Crowding, where your orthodontist asks to have specific teeth removed before braces or aligners
  • Baby teeth that have not fallen out on their own and are blocking adult teeth
  • A tooth your dentist wants out before an implant, bridge or denture
A panoramic dental X-ray machine in a bright imaging room with a colorful painting on the wall

How it works

How an extraction works.

A simple extraction can be quick. A surgical extraction takes a little more time and a few stitches.

  1. Review and imaging

    Dr. Abtin looks at your X-rays, and a 3D scan when the roots are curved or close to a nerve, so the plan fits the tooth in front of him.

  2. Numbing and comfort

    The area is numbed with local anesthesia. If you chose nitrous oxide or IV sedation, it is started before any work begins.

  3. Removing the tooth

    A tooth that is fully visible is gently loosened and lifted out. A broken or buried tooth may need a small opening in the gum or removal in pieces.

  4. Closing and protecting

    The socket is cleaned, closed with stitches if needed, and covered with gauze. Some patients have a bone graft placed to keep the area ready for an implant.

A reception area with a wood front desk, a gray sofa and a round coffee table
Before you come inBring a photo ID, your dental and medical insurance cards and a list of the medicines you take.

Recovery

How long does an extraction take to heal?

Most people feel tender for a few days, with swelling that is usually mild after a simple extraction and more noticeable after a surgical one. A clot forms in the socket within the first day, and protecting it is the main job early on.

Bite on gauze as directed, eat soft foods, and skip straws, smoking and spitting for the first several days. Orthodontic patients can usually move ahead with their braces plan once the gums have settled, and your orthodontist will set that timing.

Possible risks

  • Dry socket, which brings a throbbing ache two to four days after the extraction
  • Infection or bleeding that needs another visit
  • Numbness of the lip or tongue when a lower root sits close to a nerve, usually temporary
  • With some upper back teeth, a small opening between the socket and the sinus that needs care while it closes

Dr. Abtin goes over the risks that apply to you, and how they are lowered, before you decide on surgery.

Read the general after-surgery guide

Sedation options

Comfort, your way.

A single simple extraction is often done with local anesthesia alone. For surgical extractions, several teeth at once or nervous patients, nitrous oxide or IV sedation can make the visit easier.

  • Option for this procedure

    Local anesthesia

    Numbs the area being treated. You are awake, and you feel pressure but not sharp pain.

  • Option for this procedure

    Nitrous oxide

    A gas you breathe through a small mask. It takes the edge off nerves and wears off within minutes after the mask comes off.

  • Option for this procedure

    IV sedation

    Medicine given through a vein places you in a deeply relaxed, sleep-like state. Most people remember little of the procedure. You need an adult to drive you home.

How sedation works at NGOS

Insurance and cost

Does insurance cover a tooth extraction?

Many dental plans cover part of an extraction, and coverage often differs between a simple and a surgical extraction. When a tooth is removed because of an injury, medical insurance may also play a role. Ask the team what your plan is likely to cover ahead of time so you know what to expect.

Insurance and financing

FAQ

Tooth extractions: your questions.

Still wondering about something? Call (706) 969-7664

When a tooth sits fully above the gum, it can usually come out with numbing alone: that is a simple extraction. A surgical extraction is needed when a tooth is broken at the gumline, has curved roots or has not come in, and it may involve a small gum opening and stitches.

When there is not enough room in your jaw for all of your teeth to line up, your orthodontist may ask to have certain teeth removed, often premolars. Taking them out creates space so braces or aligners can move the remaining teeth into a healthier position.

The area is numbed before anything begins, so you should feel pressure rather than sharp pain. Soreness afterward is common and is usually managed with the medicine Dr. Abtin recommends. Sedation is available if you feel anxious about the visit.

It depends on which tooth it is. A missing back tooth can let neighboring teeth drift and the jawbone shrink over time. If you plan to replace it with an implant, ask about placing a bone graft at the time of the extraction to protect the site.

You can eat once the numbness wears off, starting with soft, lukewarm foods. Chew on the other side for a few days and avoid crunchy, spicy or very hot foods until the area feels comfortable. Skip straws so the clot stays in place.

Related care

You may also want to read.

All procedures

Sources for patients

General information from patient education pages by the organizations above. Page updated November 6, 2026.

Ready when you are

Talk with the team today.

Ask a question, ask about your insurance or book a consultation with Dr. Abtin at the Dawsonville office.

Request a visit Call (706) 969-7664