Simple and Surgical Extractions—Including Wisdom Teeth

Tooth extractions generally fall into two categories:

  • Simple extractions involve removing a visible, accessible tooth, usually under local anesthesia. These are often performed when a tooth is damaged beyond repair due to decay, trauma, or gum disease.
  • Surgical extractions are required for teeth that are impacted, partially erupted, or broken beneath the gumline. This includes wisdom teeth, which often need to be removed in the late teens or early adulthood due to pain, crowding, or risk of infection.

At our Wilmington, DE dental office, Dr. Goodling offers both simple and surgical extractions using advanced techniques and sedation options to make your experience as comfortable as possible. If IV sedation or hospital-based care is needed, we’ll coordinate with a trusted oral surgeon.

Tooth Removal With a Restorative Plan in Mind

While an extraction removes a problematic tooth, it often lays the groundwork for restoring your smile. We approach extractions with long-term outcomes in mind, especially when planning for replacements like dental implants, bridges, or dentures.

If needed, Dr. Goodling may recommend socket preservation or bone grafting immediately after extraction. These procedures help maintain bone volume and support future dental restorations by preventing jawbone deterioration.

What to Expect After Your Extraction

You’ll receive a complete care guide before your appointment to help you prepare. After your extraction, we recommend:

  • Starting with liquids, then transitioning to soft foods
  • Avoiding the extraction site when brushing for the first couple of days
  • Using ice packs and over-the-counter pain relievers to minimize discomfort

Most patients feel significantly better within a few days. And once your mouth has healed, we’ll discuss tooth replacement options to restore full function and confidence.

Not necessarily. If your wisdom teeth are fully erupted, properly aligned, and easy to clean, removal may not be needed. However, many people don’t have enough space in their jaw, leading to crowding, partial eruptions, or impaction—which can cause pain, infection, or damage to nearby teeth.

A dry socket occurs when the blood clot at the extraction site becomes dislodged or fails to form, exposing the bone and nerves beneath. This can be very painful. To avoid dry sockets, avoid smoking, drinking through straws, or vigorous rinsing in the first few days after your extraction.

For simple extractions, many patients feel well enough to return to normal activities within a day. However, surgical extractions (like wisdom teeth removal) often require a couple of days of rest and reduced activity, especially if sedation was used.

The ideal time is usually between ages 16 and 25—before the roots are fully developed and complications are more likely. Removing them earlier often results in an easier recovery and fewer risks.

Initial healing takes 3–5 days, but full recovery can take 1–2 weeks. Most patients can resume normal activities within a few days, though it may take longer if stitches were placed or if multiple teeth were removed.

Your Wilmington Dentist for Tooth Extractions

Whether you’re dealing with a cracked tooth, sudden swelling, or painful wisdom teeth, our office is here to help—often with same-day appointments available. Dr. Goodling offers both simple and surgical extractions, including the removal of impacted or problematic wisdom teeth.

Using advanced imaging, gentle techniques, and sedation options when needed, we make every step of the extraction process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Our goal is to relieve your discomfort quickly while protecting your long-term oral health.

Call us today at (302) 994-0979 to schedule a tooth extraction in Wilmington, Delaware.