Tooth extractions in Johnstown, NY.

The actual procedure should not hurt. Local anesthetic numbs the tooth, gum, and bone around it completely. You feel pressure as the tooth is loosened, but not sharp pain. If you do feel anything sharp during the procedure, tell Dr. D'Addio immediately and we'll add more anesthetic before continuing. After the numbness wears off, soreness for the first day or two is normal and is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief as directed. Pain that's increasing rather than decreasing after 48 hours, or pain that doesn't respond to over-the-counter medication, should be called in. It can signal dry socket or infection, both of which we treat.

After a simple extraction, most of the soreness usually fades within a few days. The first 24 hours: avoid spitting, rinsing, smoking, or using a straw, as suction can dislodge the blood clot forming in the socket. Eat soft foods (yogurt, scrambled eggs, soup that isn't hot) on the side opposite the extraction. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed for soreness. After the first day: gentle saltwater rinses begin, you can start eating more normally on the other side, and the soreness should be steadily decreasing. The bone in the socket takes weeks to fill in, but you will feel normal long before that. If an implant is planned for that space, the timing is set with the oral surgeon based on how the site heals.

First 24 hours: bite firmly on the gauze as directed after leaving the office to control bleeding, then change gauze if needed for another 30 minutes. Don't rinse, spit, smoke, or use straws. Suction can break the protective blood clot. Eat soft, room-temperature foods. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen per the dosing instructions we provide. Use an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for 15-minute intervals to reduce swelling. Sleep with your head elevated. After 24 hours: start gentle saltwater rinses a few times a day, especially after meals. Brush other teeth as normal but avoid the extraction site. Call the office if bleeding doesn't stop after a few hours, if pain increases after day 2, or if you develop fever or significant swelling.

Simple extraction fees vary by tooth and complexity but typically sit in the lower range of restorative procedures, significantly less than crowns, root canals, or implants. Before any extraction, the front desk gives you a written estimate showing the practice fee and the portion your insurance is expected to reimburse if you have a plan. Surgical extractions referred to the oral surgeon are billed separately by their office under their fee schedule. The insurance and payment page explains how billing and CareCredit work. Call (518) 842-3220 with your specific tooth for an honest estimate.

Not always, but often the answer is yes if you want to keep your bite, your other teeth, and your jaw healthy long-term. When a tooth is missing, adjacent teeth slowly drift into the space, the opposing tooth can over-erupt, and the bone in the empty socket shrinks over time. Whether to replace depends on which tooth is missing, your age, the cost, and how the missing tooth affects chewing and appearance. Options include an implant restoration (requires healing time and an oral surgeon referral), a bridge (faster, requires altering neighboring teeth), or a partial denture. We discuss all three honestly before the extraction so you can plan. If the missing tooth is a back wisdom tooth or a tooth that's been gone for years already, replacement may not be necessary.

A simple extraction is for a fully erupted, visible tooth with normal root anatomy. Dr. D'Addio can grip the visible crown of the tooth, loosen it from the socket, and remove it in one piece. These are done at Dunning with local anesthetic. A surgical extraction is required for impacted teeth (wisdom teeth that haven't fully erupted), teeth that have broken off at the gum line, teeth with unusual or hooked roots, or any extraction where the patient needs sedation. Surgical extractions involve a small incision, sometimes sectioning the tooth into pieces, and often require stitches. These are referred to a trusted local oral surgeon. Dunning coordinates the referral, sends the X-rays and chart notes, and is involved in any follow-up restorative work afterward.

Wisdom tooth removal is referred to a trusted oral surgeon. Dunning evaluates whether wisdom teeth need to come out or can be left alone and watched, and coordinates the referral when removal is the right call.

Yes, as a courtesy. Dunning is fee-for-service and out of network, so you pay the practice at the visit and we submit the claim to most carriers for you. Your insurer applies your plan's rules and sends any reimbursement directly to you. Before treatment beyond a basic exam or cleaning, the front desk gives you a written estimate. It is a good-faith approximation; your insurer makes the final benefit determination. Medicaid and Fidelis are not accepted.