Tooth Extraction in Los Angeles

Some teeth can be saved, and saving them is usually the better outcome — our Root Canals page exists because of that. But some teeth are past saving: decayed down to the root, cracked through it, too loose in diseased bone to stand. For those, removal is not the failure of treatment; it is the treatment, and it ends a source of pain and infection that will not resolve any other way. At PhD Dental in Los Angeles, extractions are performed at our office at 3000 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023 — straightforward removals by our general dentists, and surgical removals by our oral surgeon, Dr. Hassan Haidar, who sees patients here on scheduled days and is contracted with Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal. Every case starts with an exam and x-rays — $69 together without insurance — and a straight answer about whether the tooth truly has to come out. Call (323) 649-6905, or walk in if you are in pain.

When does a tooth have to come out?

The exam decides, but the usual findings are these: decay that has destroyed too much of the tooth to rebuild; a crack running through the root, which cannot be repaired in a way that lasts; advanced gum disease that has taken the bone the tooth stands in; a failed root canal where retreatment is not a sound option; a broken tooth with too little left above the gum to restore; and wisdom teeth that are impacted, infected, or damaging their neighbors — our Wisdom Teeth Removal in Los Angeles page covers those in full. What you will not get here is a recommendation to remove a tooth that can predictably be saved: if a root canal and crown can keep your tooth working, that is the option we will put in front of you first, with its cost beside the extraction’s, so the decision is genuinely yours.

Simple extraction or surgical extraction — what is the difference?

A simple extraction is for a tooth that is visible, intact enough to grip, and loose-able: the dentist numbs the area thoroughly, eases the tooth loose, and lifts it out. A surgical extraction is for everything else — a tooth broken off at or below the gumline, a tooth with curved or stubborn roots, a tooth fused to dense bone, an impacted tooth still trapped under gum or bone. Surgical removal may involve lifting the gum, removing a small amount of bone, or taking the tooth out in sections. It sounds more dramatic than it usually feels: the area is fully numbed either way, and surgical cases at this office are handled by Dr. Haidar, whose entire practice is this kind of work. Your x-rays show in advance which kind your tooth needs, and we tell you before we begin.

What does an extraction cost in Los Angeles?

It depends on the tooth and the kind of removal — a simple extraction costs less than a surgical one, and an impacted wisdom tooth is its own category. After the exam and x-ray, we tell you which kind your tooth needs and give you the price in writing before anything is done. If you have Medi-Cal, extractions are a covered benefit, and emergency removal for a tooth in severe pain or infection is covered emergency care. We also accept PPO plans and are in network with Delta Dental; the one category we do not accept is HMO plans. For anything not covered, in-house payment plans and financing options can spread the cost.

What happens after — healing and what to expect

The first day sets the tone: bite on the gauze as directed so a proper clot forms in the socket — that clot is the foundation of healing, and protecting it is the main job of the first days. That means no straws, no vigorous rinsing, no smoking, and soft foods while the area is tender. Some soreness and swelling are normal and usually answer to over-the-counter pain relief; we give you written aftercare instructions and tell you exactly what is normal and what should prompt a call — increasing pain after the first few days, swelling that grows instead of shrinking, or a bad taste can signal a problem like a dry socket, and those calls get seen promptly. Most patients are back to ordinary routines quickly; surgical cases take a little longer, and we will give you an honest timeline for your case before you leave.

Replacing the tooth afterward

An extraction answers one question and opens another: what goes in the space? Leaving a gap is sometimes fine — a wisdom tooth needs no replacement — but a missing tooth in the working part of your bite lets neighbors drift, changes how you chew, and lets the bone beneath slowly shrink. The replacement options are a dental implant, placed by our periodontist, Dr. Ori Levy, who sees patients here on scheduled days; a bridge, fixed to the teeth beside the gap; or a partial denture. The right time to discuss them is at the same visit the tooth comes out — sometimes the same appointment can even begin preparing the site for an implant — and every option comes with its timeline and cost in writing before you decide.

Common questions about tooth extraction

Does getting a tooth pulled hurt?

The area is fully numbed before we begin, and we confirm the numbness — what you feel during the procedure is pressure, not pain. Soreness afterward is normal and manageable. If you are anxious, tell us when you book: nitrous oxide can be requested at select offices, a calming medication taken beforehand is an option when someone drives you, and we will be plain that IV sedation is not something we offer.

Can I walk in with a tooth that needs to come out?

Yes. Walk-ins are welcome at all our offices, and patients in pain are a priority — we do our best to see emergencies the same day. Whether the tooth comes out that day depends on the findings — infection sometimes needs to be calmed first, and surgical cases are scheduled with Dr. Haidar on his days here — but you will leave knowing exactly what your tooth needs and when it happens. This office is also open Saturdays 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Does Medi-Cal cover extractions?

Yes — extractions are a covered Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal benefit, including emergency removal, and emergency care does not count toward the yearly dollar limit that applies to some adult services. Most extractions do not need prior authorization; when authorization is required, our office submits it for you.

How do I start?

With the exam and x-rays at our Los Angeles office — $69 together without insurance. You will leave knowing whether the tooth can be saved, and if it cannot, what removal and replacement look like for you, in writing.

Tooth extraction in Los Angeles and the communities around us

Extraction patients reach our Los Angeles office from Boyle Heights, City Terrace, and East Los Angeles first, and from Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Downtown Los Angeles, Montebello, Monterey Park, Commerce, Huntington Park, Maywood, Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, and Downey beyond them. Because Dr. Haidar sees surgical patients on scheduled days, surgical cases are planned in advance — and Saturday hours at this office catch many urgent walk-ins before they become Monday emergencies.

Book an extraction evaluation in Los Angeles

Call (323) 649-6905 or book online. We are open Monday through Friday 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 3000 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles. We accept Medi-Cal, Denti-Cal, and PPO plans — we do not accept HMO plans — and patients in pain are a priority.

• PhD Dental Los Angeles: 3000 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023
• Call: (323) 649-6905
• Hours: Monday–Friday 9:30 AM–6:30 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, Sunday closed. We are open on Saturdays.

Last Updated: November 9, 2026