At Magnolia Dentistry, we know that the thought of having a tooth removed can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be. Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD, MPH and her Burbank team take a gentle, precise, and patient-first approach to every extraction. With 15+ years of experience and advanced imaging technology, Dr. Massaband ensures accurate diagnosis, careful planning, and a recovery process that most patients find far easier than expected.
Sometimes the healthiest choice for your smile is removing a tooth that can no longer be saved or is causing active harm to surrounding teeth and bone. Dr. Massaband performs all types of extractions at Magnolia Dentistry, from straightforward simple removals to complex surgical extractions, using advanced digital imaging to plan each case precisely.
A simple extraction removes a tooth that is visible above the gumline and has not broken beneath the surface. Local anaesthetic is applied, and the tooth is loosened and removed with precise instruments. The procedure typically takes 10–20 minutes per tooth. Most patients return to normal activities the following day.
When a tooth has broken at the gumline or is partially or fully impacted beneath the surface, a surgical extraction is required. Dr. Massaband creates a small incision in the gum tissue, removes any bone covering the tooth if necessary, and extracts the tooth in sections if needed. Local anaesthetic ensures you feel pressure but not pain during the procedure.
After a tooth is removed, the jawbone in the empty socket begins to shrink within the first few weeks. If you plan to replace the extracted tooth with a dental implant, socket preservation is an important step. A bone graft material is placed into the socket immediately after extraction to maintain bone volume and create the ideal foundation for a future implant.
Wisdom teeth (third molars) are the last teeth to emerge, typically between ages 17 and 25. When they do not have enough space to erupt fully, or when they come in at an angle, they become impacted, and impacted wisdom teeth that are not removed almost always cause problems over time.
Signs Your Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed
Not all wisdom teeth need immediate removal. If yours are fully erupted, not causing problems, and easy to clean, Dr. Massaband may recommend monitoring rather than extraction. She will take digital X-rays to assess the position of your wisdom teeth and recommend the most appropriate course of action.
Dr. Massaband reviews your X-rays to assess the position, angle, and root formation of each wisdom tooth. She explains which teeth need removal, what the procedure involves, and what recovery looks like. A written cost estimate is provided before you schedule.
Local anaesthetic is used for all wisdom tooth removals. Dental sedation is available for patients with anxiety. You will feel pressure and movement during the procedure but not pain.
For impacted wisdom teeth, Dr. Massaband creates a small incision to access the tooth, removes any covering bone if necessary, and extracts the tooth whole or in sections. Multiple wisdom teeth can often be removed in the same appointment.
You leave with written aftercare instructions, prescribed or recommended pain medication, and Dr. Massaband’s contact information for any questions during healing. Most patients feel significantly better by day 3–4.
When a tooth is severely infected, deeply decayed, or badly cracked, both extraction and root canal therapy may be options. Understanding the difference helps you ask the right questions at your consultation.
Root Canal: when the tooth is worth saving
If the tooth structure above the gumline is structurally sound and the surrounding bone is healthy, a root canal removes the infected pulp, seals the tooth, and restores it with a crown. The natural tooth remains in your jaw, supporting surrounding teeth and maintaining bone density.
Extraction: when the tooth cannot be reliably saved
Extraction is the recommended choice when a tooth is cracked below the gumline, when there is not enough remaining tooth structure to support a crown, when bone loss is too advanced, or when the tooth has failed a previous root canal and cannot be re-treated. Following extraction, Dr. Massaband discusses replacement options including implants, bridges, and partial dentures.
Dr. Massaband takes digital X-rays and does a thorough examination before recommending either procedure. She will explain clearly which option is most appropriate for your specific situation and why.
Most patients are relieved by how manageable extraction recovery is. Here is what to expect:
First 24 hours
Mild to moderate soreness and some swelling are normal. A blood clot forms in the socket, this is essential for healing. Rest at home, apply ice packs in 20-minute intervals to reduce swelling, and take over-the-counter ibuprofen or any prescribed pain medication as directed. Avoid rinsing vigorously, spitting forcefully, or using straws — these actions can dislodge the protective clot.
Days 2–3
Swelling typically peaks and then begins to subside. Eat soft foods: yoghurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soup (not too hot). Most patients can return to desk work and normal light activities by day 2. The soreness should be diminishing, not worsening, by day 3.
Days 4–7
The extraction site closes over, the swelling resolves, and most patients are fully comfortable. Gentle warm saltwater rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) after meals from day 3 onwards help keep the area clean. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods near the site until fully healed.
Warning: Dry Socket
Dry socket occurs when the blood clot in the extraction socket dislodges or dissolves before the wound heals. Signs include: pain that increases rather than improves after day 3, a visible empty socket, and a foul taste or smell. If you experience these symptoms, contact us immediately. Dry socket is easily treated but should not be ignored.
Wisdom tooth removal recovery follows the same pattern but typically takes 5–7 days for swelling to fully resolve. Dr. Massaband provides written aftercare instructions and is always available for questions during your recovery.
Not every dental extraction requires an oral surgeon. Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD, MPH is trained and experienced in both simple and surgical extractions, including impacted wisdom tooth removal, and performs all extraction procedures at Magnolia Dentistry without referrals in most cases.
Patients who require a level of complexity beyond general practice scope, such as cases involving significant anatomical complexity, medical conditions requiring specialist management, or IV sedation, are referred to trusted oral surgery specialists. Dr. Massaband will tell you clearly at consultation whether your case falls into this category.
At Magnolia Dentistry, we provide a written cost estimate before every extraction procedure. There are no surprise fees. Prices vary based on the complexity of the extraction, the number of teeth being removed, and whether sedation or socket preservation is included.
General price ranges at our Burbank practice:
Does insurance cover tooth extractions?
Most dental insurance plans cover extractions under basic or major restorative benefits. Simple extractions are typically covered at 70–80% after your deductible. Surgical extractions and wisdom tooth removal are usually covered at 50–80% depending on your plan. Our team verifies your specific benefits before your appointment and submits all claims on your behalf.
Patients without insurance are welcome, we offer transparent self-pay pricing and CareCredit financing for larger treatment plans.
Verify your coverage: (818) 846-9041
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, you will feel pressure and movement but not pain during the extraction. Post-extraction soreness is normal and typically peaks at 24–48 hours, then steadily improves. Most patients manage comfortably with over-the-counter ibuprofen. Surgical extractions and wisdom tooth removal involve slightly more post-operative soreness than simple extractions.
Each tooth typically takes 20–45 minutes to remove, depending on whether it is impacted and the complexity of the root shape. Multiple wisdom teeth are often removed in the same appointment, having all four out at once is common and reduces total recovery time compared to multiple separate procedures.
Common signs include: pain or pressure at the back of your jaw, swelling or tenderness of the gum behind your last molar, recurring infections in that area, or difficulty fully opening your mouth. However, many impacted wisdom teeth cause no obvious symptoms until they have already damaged adjacent teeth or bone, this is why dental X-rays at your routine checkup are important even when there is no pain.
Dry socket occurs when the blood clot in the extraction site dislodges or dissolves before the wound has healed, exposing the underlying bone. Signs include: pain that worsens after day 3 rather than improving, a visible empty-looking socket, and a bad taste or smell from the area. If you experience these symptoms, contact Magnolia Dentistry immediately. Dry socket is easily treated with a medicated dressing and is not a serious complication when addressed promptly.
Socket preservation (bone grafting) is a procedure where bone graft material is placed into the empty socket immediately after an extraction to prevent the jawbone from shrinking. It is particularly important if you plan to have a dental implant placed in that area in the future, maintaining bone volume reduces the need for more extensive bone grafting later. Dr. Massaband will recommend socket preservation if it is appropriate for your situation.
