Technology & Patient Resources
Simple vs. surgical extractions
Two different procedures with genuinely different recovery timelines — and which one you need is determined by the tooth, not by preference.
The two types
Simple Extraction
For a fully erupted, accessible tooth. Removed with an elevator and forceps, typically in fifteen to thirty minutes under local anesthesia, with recovery in one to three days. Used for severely decayed, loose, or damaged teeth that are visible above the gum.
Surgical Extraction
For impacted, partially erupted, or complex-rooted teeth. Requires an incision in the gum and sometimes removal of a small amount of bone, taking thirty to sixty minutes with five to seven days of recovery. Wisdom teeth commonly require this approach.
What recovery actually looks like
Simple extractions heal within seven to ten days with minimal pain and swelling. Most patients resume normal activities within a couple of days and return to exercise within one to two weeks.
Surgical extractions involve more swelling and discomfort lasting longer, because there is more trauma to the tissue. Initial healing takes two to three weeks, and complete bone healing at the site takes three to six months — which matters if you are planning an implant there.
Sedation and comfort
Both types are performed under local anesthesia. Nitrous oxide is available for mild anxiety, and IV sedation with our staff dental anaesthesiologist for surgical cases, multiple extractions, or significant anxiety.
For surgical extractions, particularly lower wisdom teeth, most patients find sedation makes the difference between an ordeal and an appointment they barely remember.
Think about the gap now
Bone at an extraction site begins resorbing within weeks. Socket preservation — a small graft placed at the time of removal — costs relatively little and protects the site for a future implant.
That decision has to be made on the day of the extraction, not months later, so it is worth raising at the planning appointment rather than afterwards.
Have a question?
Book an assessment to find out which type your tooth needs. Call (905) 479-7777.