Oral Surgery and Tooth Extraction

What Is a Tooth Extraction?

A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. Your dentist may recommend it when a tooth is too damaged, decayed, or infected to save, or when it is blocking other treatment. Removing the tooth can stop an infection from spreading and protect the teeth around it.

At Harmony Dental Care in West Covina, extractions are handled in our own office. Dr. Khaef and Dr. Nguyen perform both routine and complex removals, so you do not need a referral to a separate oral surgeon for most cases.

Simple extraction

A simple extraction is used for teeth that are visible and easy to reach. The tooth is numbed with local anesthesia and removed with specialized instruments. Most patients go home the same day.

Surgical extraction

A surgical extraction is used for teeth that are impacted, broken below the gumline, or otherwise hard to reach. It may require a small incision in the gum and removal of some bone to access the tooth. This is the type most often needed for wisdom teeth.

Who Needs a Tooth Extraction?

Extraction may be recommended when:

• A tooth is severely decayed and cannot be repaired.
• A tooth is fractured below the gumline.
• A tooth has loosened because of advanced gum disease.
• A tooth is impacted and cannot come through normally, as with many wisdom teeth.
• Teeth are crowded and interfere with orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign.
• A tooth is infected and cannot be treated with root canal therapy.

Patients from La Puente, Covina, Baldwin Park, South San Jose Hills, and nearby communities come to our West Covina office for these procedures. Extractions are also sometimes needed to prepare the mouth for dentures or a partial denture.

Tooth Extraction Steps: What to Expect

Before the procedure

At your first visit, the team reviews your history and takes digital X-rays. For more complex cases, we use 3D CBCT imaging. This shows the exact position of the roots and nearby nerves before any work begins. Your dentist will explain what the scans show and whether the tooth can be removed in one visit.

If you will need a replacement later, we also plan that before the extraction. This includes whether you may need an implant, a bridge, or a denture, so you know your full treatment path ahead of time.

During the procedure

The area is numbed with local anesthetic. We also offer numbing gel, warm blankets, and noise-canceling headphones to help you stay relaxed. You will feel pressure during the removal, but most patients are surprised at how quick the process is. Your dentist will check with you during the visit and will tell you what to expect before each step.

Same-day bone graft option

If you plan to get a dental implant later, we can place a bone graft right after the extraction. This is called socket preservation. It helps keep bone volume in the extraction site and prepares the area for a future implant. Whether it is right for you depends on your case, and your dentist will talk it through with you.

Cost, Insurance, and Payment

What affects the cost

The cost of an extraction depends on how complex it is. A simple extraction and a surgical extraction are priced differently, and the total can also change if you need imaging, a bone graft, or follow-up care. The team will review the plan with you before treatment starts.

Dental insurance

What your insurance covers depends on your specific plan. Many dental plans cover a share of extractions and wisdom tooth removal because these are often a medical need, but the exact amount is set by your plan. Harmony Dental Care accepts PPO and Indemnity plans, Medi-Cal, Denti-Cal, Smile California, and CalOptima, along with most major dental insurance plans.

We can run a complimentary insurance eligibility check for you before your visit. This shows what your plan may cover for your extraction so you are not surprised at the front desk. Call (626) 858-3305 to request it.

Payment options

If you do not have insurance, or your plan covers only part of the cost, the office offers:

• Flexible financing with monthly payment plans for elective and major procedures.
• CareCredit, Sunbit, Alpheon, and credit card payments.
• An in-house membership plan.

Ask about these options during your visit.

New patient exam for uninsured patients

For new patients without insurance, the $59 New Patient Special includes a comprehensive exam, digital X-rays, and a professional cleaning. You can ask whether this visit is a good first step toward an extraction evaluation.

Recovery and Aftercare

Most patients recover from a simple extraction within a few days. Surgical extractions, including many wisdom tooth removals, may take one to two weeks for full healing. Your dentist will give you written aftercare instructions covering pain management, what to eat, and what to watch for.

After the extraction, a blood clot forms in the socket. Protecting that clot is important because it helps the site heal. Dry socket, which happens when the clot is lost or does not form, is the most common complication after an extraction. Follow your aftercare instructions closely, and call the office if pain gets worse instead of better, or if you notice swelling, fever, or bleeding that does not slow down.

We monitor your healing and give you a direct point of contact for questions during recovery. Our goal is to keep you comfortable until you are fully healed.

Why Choose Harmony Dental Care for Tooth Extraction?

Experienced team

Harmony Dental Care has been serving patients for 20 years. Dr. Khaef performs simple and surgical extractions, and Dr. Nguyen, a DMD, personally manages surgical care, including complex wisdom tooth removal.

Advanced imaging and tools

We use 3D CBCT imaging for surgical planning, digital X-rays, 3D digital scanners, and digital impressions. Laser dentistry is also part of our care. These tools help the team plan each extraction carefully.

Everything under one roof

Because we handle extractions, bone grafts, implants, and dentures in one office, you can plan your full treatment with one team. We coordinate closely with your restorative plan so your mouth is ready for what comes next.

Same-day and emergency care

Same-day appointments are available. If you are in severe pain from a cracked, infected, or hopeless tooth, call (626) 858-3305 right away.

Convenient parking

How to Book a Tooth Extraction Visit

You can book by phone or online. Call (626) 858-3305 during office hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We are closed on Saturday and Sunday. For a severe dental emergency, call the same number and ask for an emergency evaluation.

If you are a new patient, you are welcome at Harmony Dental Care at any age. Our team will help you choose the right visit, whether that is an exam, an extraction consultation, or a same-day appointment.

Office location and hours

148 N Grand Ave, West Covina, CA 91791

• Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Saturday and Sunday: Closed