Tooth Extraction in Lynwood

Nobody books a tooth extraction happily, and at PhD Dental in Lynwood we treat removal as the last resort, not the first suggestion: if a tooth can be saved with a filling, a crown, or a root canal, we will tell you, and show you why. But some teeth cannot be saved — a tooth cracked below the gumline, decay that has destroyed too much structure, an infection that keeps returning, or a tooth too loose from gum disease to keep. When removal is the right call, it is done carefully, with the area fully numbed, and with a plan for what replaces the tooth. Our office is at 3737 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Suite 375. Call (310) 861-7742 — if you are in pain, say so; emergency patients are a priority and walk-ins are welcome.

When does a tooth have to come out?

The honest list: decay or damage so extensive that no restoration will hold; a crack that runs below the gumline or splits the root; advanced gum disease that has destroyed the bone holding the tooth; an infection that cannot be cleared because the tooth cannot be restored; and teeth that need to go to make room for dentures or orthodontic treatment. What is not on the list: a tooth that merely hurts. Pain is a symptom, and it is the exam and x-rays — $69 together without insurance — that decide whether your tooth is a repair or a removal. If it can be saved and you want it saved, that is the plan we will build.

Simple extraction vs. surgical extraction — what is the difference?

A simple extraction removes a tooth that is visible above the gum and can be loosened and lifted out — most straightforward removals, done by our general dentists. A surgical extraction is for teeth that are broken off at the gumline, have curved or fragile roots, or are stuck under the gum or bone; the tooth may need to be removed in pieces. Surgical cases at our Lynwood office are handled by our oral surgeon, Dr. Hassan Haidar, who sees patients here on scheduled days. Your exam and x-ray show which kind your tooth needs, and we tell you before anything is scheduled — along with the price, in writing.

What does the appointment feel like, and what is recovery like?

The area is numbed completely before we begin; what you should feel is pressure, not sharp pain, and you should tell us immediately if that is ever not true. Afterward, most patients manage with over-the-counter pain relief, a soft diet for a few days, and the written instructions we send home — how to protect the clot forming in the socket (that clot is the foundation of healing; smoking, straws, and vigorous rinsing can dislodge it and cause a painful dry socket). Most people return to normal routines within a few days. If you are nervous, tell us when you book: nitrous oxide is available at select offices on request, and we can provide a calming medication to take before your visit if you have someone to drive you. We do not offer IV sedation.

How much does it cost to get a tooth pulled?

It depends on the tooth. A simple removal, where the tooth is loosened and lifted out, costs less than a surgical removal, where the tooth is broken, stuck under the gum, or has to come out in pieces. After your exam and x-ray, we tell you which kind your tooth needs and give you the price in writing before anything is done. In-house payment plans and financing options are available.

Does Medi-Cal cover tooth extractions?

Yes — extractions are a covered Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal benefit, and emergency tooth removal is covered even on emergency-only (limited-scope) Medi-Cal plans. Most extractions do not need prior authorization; when authorization is required, our office submits it for you, and Dr. Haidar is contracted with Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal for surgical cases. PPO plans also typically cover extractions in part, and we are in network with Delta Dental. We verify your coverage before your visit so cost never ambushes you after the fact.

What about replacing the tooth afterward?

An empty space is not neutral: neighboring teeth drift toward it, the opposing tooth can grow out of line, chewing shifts to one side, and the bone in that spot slowly shrinks. That is why replacement is part of the same conversation, not an afterthought. Depending on the tooth and your budget, the options are a dental implant (the strongest, longest-lasting fix), a bridge, or a partial denture — our Lynwood pages on each explain them in turn. You do not have to decide the same day; you do deserve to hear the options and the prices while the plan is fresh.

Wisdom teeth are a separate conversation

This page is about regular teeth. Wisdom teeth — the third molars at the very back — come with their own questions about impaction, timing, and surgery days, and they have their own page: see Wisdom Teeth Removal in Lynwood for how Dr. Haidar handles those cases, including Medi-Cal coverage for wisdom teeth when removal is medically necessary.

Common questions about tooth extraction

My tooth stopped hurting. Do I still need it looked at?

Yes. Pain that stops can mean the nerve inside the tooth has died while an infection is still active and spreading slowly. A tooth in that state can flare badly later — and the exam is what tells us whether it can still be saved.

I have emergency-only Medi-Cal and a toothache. What will the dentist do?

With emergency-only Medi-Cal, the covered dental care is emergency services and tooth removal. The dentist will examine the tooth, take x-rays, treat the pain and any infection, and remove the tooth if it cannot be saved. We treat patients on emergency Medi-Cal plans at all eight of our offices.

How soon can I be seen if I am in pain?

Call us — patients in pain are a priority and we do our best to see emergencies the same day. We are open Saturdays 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM as well. If your face is swollen and the swelling is spreading, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to an emergency room or call 911 first, then call us.

How do I start?

Book an exam. We will take x-rays, tell you plainly whether the tooth can be saved, and — if it cannot — give you the removal plan and the price in writing before anything happens.

Tooth extraction care for Lynwood and the communities around us

Patients come to our Lynwood office for extractions from South Gate, Bell, Bell Gardens, Paramount, Downey, Compton, and Watts/Willowbrook — frequently in pain, often after putting it off, and never judged for that here. We are open Monday to Friday 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 3737 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Suite 375, and Playhouse Dental, our kids’ office, is in Suite 106 of the same building.

Book an extraction evaluation in Lynwood

Call (310) 861-7742 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome, emergency patients are a priority, and we accept Medi-Cal, Denti-Cal, and PPO plans — we do not accept HMO plans.

• PhD Dental Lynwood Adults: 3737 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Suite 375, Lynwood, CA 90262
• Call: (310) 861-7742
• Book online: Book an appointment
• Hours: Monday–Friday 9:30 AM–5:30 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, Sunday closed. We are open on Saturdays.