Frequently Asked Questions

---

For single extractions or in urgent/emergent situations, we do offer same day extractions with local anesthesia only. However, for multiple extractions, cases requiring IV or Pre-Operative Sedation, or patients with medical complications which could impact care, such as taking blood thinners like Eliquis or Plavix, we require a separate appointment for an evaluation/consultation before scheduling the surgery on a later date.

The length of any procedure might be longer or shorter depending on multiple factors which vary for each individual patient, however, most appointments fall within a predictable time frame.

• Evaluations/consultations take approximately 30 minutes.
• Post-Operative/Follow-up Appointments usually take between 5-15 minutes.
• Local anesthesia cases, which include biopsies, simple/surgical extractions of 1-3 teeth, and implant placement surgeries usually take between 30 minutes and 1 hour.
• Cases requiring IV Sedation, wisdom teeth extractions, or extraction of 4 or more teeth usually take between 45 minutes to an hour-and-a-half.

We do not offer phone/web consultations, nor do we schedule any appointments outside of our regular business hours. However, in the case of dental emergencies, our doctors will still be available to call.

The doctors will not write or refill any prescriptions without an in-person appointment. If more medicine is necessary following a surgery, we would be happy to schedule a Follow-Up/Post-Op appointment.

We do not charge for follow-up appointments and we highly encourage patients to call with any questions or concerns. It is very important to us that our patients' care and recovery goes as smoothly as possible. 

A certain amount of discomfort is to be expected. Inflammation and pain is typically the worst during the first 3-4 days following an extraction. However, if pain increases following this 3-4 day window, or if pain medication suddenly seems less effective than it was before, this might be an indication of a "dry socket".

A dry socket is a complication of tooth extraction characterized by an intense dull aching pain that throbs. A dry socket will occur in only 1-3% tooth extraction cases, but it becomes much more common in the extraction of lower wisdom teeth. Symptoms of dry socket may include:

• Severe pain within a few days after a tooth extraction
• Partial or total loss of the blood clot at the tooth extraction site, which you may notice as an empty-looking (dry) socket
• Pain that radiates from the socket to your ear, eye, temple, or neck on the same side of your face as the extraction
• Bad breath coming from your mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Swollen lymph nodes around the neck or jaw

If you experience any of these symptoms, please call and schedule a follow-up appointment.