Dental Extractions

A simple extraction is performed on a fully erupted, visible tooth — loosened and removed with instruments under local anaesthesia, typically in minutes.

A surgical extraction is required when a tooth is impacted (not fully erupted), broken at the gum line, or has complex roots. It involves a gum incision and sometimes sectioning the tooth for removal. Both are performed in-office at Champions for Oral Health in Fairfax, VA under local anaesthesia, with sedation available.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia — you should feel pressure and movement, not pain. Topical anesthetic is applied before the injection, and the area is fully confirmed numb before extraction begins.

Post-extraction soreness is normal for two to four days and is typically managed with over-the-counter pain relief.

Biologics and ozone therapy used at Champions for Oral Health help reduce post-operative inflammation and speed recovery.

When a tooth is removed, the jaw bone that surrounded its root begins to resorb — losing up to 40–60% of its volume in the first six to twelve months.

Socket bone grafting places bone grafting material into the extraction site immediately after removal, preserving the ridge volume. This is especially important if you may want a dental implant in future, and beneficial even if you don't — it protects the neighbouring teeth and maintains jaw structure.

At Champions for Oral Health, socket grafting is offered routinely alongside extractions.

Leaving a gap unreplaced causes a predictable sequence of problems: adjacent teeth drift into the space, the opposing tooth over-erupts, jaw bone resorbs, the bite shifts, and cleaning difficulty increases decay risk.

The longer a gap is left, the more complex and costly any future replacement becomes — particularly for implants, which require adequate bone volume.

Socket grafting at extraction preserves the bone in the interim, keeping future options straightforward.

Simple extractions: most patients recover in three to five days and return to normal activities the next day.

Surgical extractions (including wisdom teeth): three to seven days, with swelling peaking at 48–72 hours.

A soft diet, gentle rinsing, and avoiding straws and smoking for 48 hours are standard post-extraction care.

Biologics and ozone used at Champions for Oral Health typically accelerate healing and reduce the risk of dry socket compared to conventional technique alone.

Medical-grade ozone applied to the extraction socket eliminates bacteria at the site immediately after tooth removal — reducing the risk of post-extraction infection and dry socket without antibiotics. Ozone also promotes tissue healing by supporting cellular oxygenation.

Its use reflects the practice's biocompatible, wellness-first philosophy: achieving optimal healing outcomes using the body's natural chemistry rather than synthetic agents wherever possible.

Most dental insurance plans cover simple and surgical extractions, typically at 70–80% after the deductible. Coverage for socket bone grafting varies by plan — some plans include it, others classify it as a separate procedure.

Our team will review your specific benefits before treatment and provide a clear cost estimate. Flexible payment options are available. See our pricing page for more detail.