Who Pulls Teeth? Understanding General Dentists vs. Oral Surgeons for Extractions

When you have tooth pain or your dentist says a tooth needs to come out, you may wonder, “Who pulls teeth? Is it my regular dentist, or do I need a specialist?” This article answers all your questions in simple, easy language. You’ll learn about who pulls teeth, why teeth need to come out, what happens during the procedure, and how to pick the right person for your situation. Plus, you’ll get aftercare tips and see how our dental lab solutions can help your smile in the future.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Why Tooth Extractions Matter

Let’s be honest—nobody wants to lose a tooth. But sometimes, pulling a tooth is the best way to stop a toothache, end an infection, and keep the rest of your mouth healthy. If a dentist says you need a tooth out, you might wonder who will do it and what happens next. Stick with me, and I’ll guide you through each step so you’ll know what to expect.

What Is a Tooth Extraction?

A tooth extraction means a dentist or oral surgeon carefully takes out a tooth from your jawbone. Your teeth don’t just sit there—they’re held in by bone, nerves, and gum.

Sometimes, a tooth is wobbly. Sometimes, it’s stuck deep or really broken. Whether it’s simple or not, pulling teeth is a common dental job, with millions done every year in the U.S.

Why do we pull teeth?

• You might have pain from a cavity that’s too big to fix
• Maybe your tooth broke in an accident
• Sometimes teeth are crowded and need to be moved for braces
• Gum sickness can make teeth loose
• Wisdom teeth often make trouble as they grow in

Who Pulls Teeth?

This is probably why you searched for this article. Most people think only oral surgeons pull teeth, but that’s not right. Both regular dentists and specialists remove teeth, but they do different types based on how hard the job is.

Here’s what you need to know:

• General Dentists do easy extractions—teeth you can see above the gums, that aren’t stuck or broken deep down.
• Oral Surgeons take care of teeth that are stuck, deeply broken, or close to nerves or bone.

Other dental specialists—like gum doctors or root doctors—might rarely do extractions, but most are done by general dentists or oral surgeons.

Let’s look more closely at who does what.

What Can a General Dentist Handle?

A general dentist is your regular dentist—the one you see for cleanings, checkups, fillings, and tips about brushing and flossing.

What do general dentists do?

• Look at your mouth
• Take X-rays
• Fix cavities
• Remove teeth that are easy to get to and not stuck in bone or gum

Types of extractions general dentists usually do:

• Simple extractions, like loose teeth
• Teeth with big decay above the gum
• Broken teeth that aren’t below the gums
• Teeth you need out for braces

Dr. Joe Dental, a general dentist with over 20 years’ experience, says, “We handle most extractions right here in the office. If a tooth is easy to reach and the roots aren’t twisted, we have the tools to get it out safely and gently.”

But sometimes, you need help from a specialist.

When Do You Need an Oral Surgeon?

Oral surgeons are the experts in pulling tough teeth. They go to dental school, then get extra training to learn all the hard mouth and jaw procedures. They even work in hospitals for hard cases.

You’ll see an oral surgeon when:

• The tooth is impacted or stuck under the gum
• Wisdom teeth haven’t come in or are growing sideways
• The tooth has broken off under the gum or in bone
• The roots are twisted or near nerves or sinuses
• You need many teeth taken out at once (like for dentures)
• Infection is deep or there’s risk to things nearby

Oral surgeons have special tools, numbing, and surgery skills. Sometimes, they even fix bone with a graft or give you dental implants for your smile.

From the expert: Dr. Susan Maxill, an oral surgeon, explains, “Our training lets us safely remove hard teeth and treat problems that others can’t. We also help when people need to be put to sleep or have big health issues.”

Types of Tooth Extractions

Let’s keep it simple. There are two main types of extractions:

Simple Extraction:

These are most common. The dentist uses a tool to wiggle the tooth and pull it out. You’ll only need shots to numb the area.

Surgical Extraction:

This is a bigger job. The dentist or surgeon might need to cut your gum, take out bone, or break the tooth in pieces. You might get medicine to make you sleepy.

Reasons a Tooth Must Be Pulled

No tooth comes out for no reason! Here are the main causes dentists and surgeons remove teeth:

When a hole is too deep to fix, sometimes pulling the tooth is the only way to stop pain and infection.

If your gums get so sick that bone is lost, the tooth can get loose and need to come out.

Wisdom teeth like to hide under your gums. If they hurt, get infected, or cause crowding, your dentist might say it’s time for them to go.

Accidents can break a tooth deep or knock it out, and when it can’t be fixed, it must come out.

Sometimes, your jaw is just too small for all your teeth. A dentist pulls a few so the rest can line up straight.

When infection goes past the tooth and into the bone, sometimes even a root canal can’t save it.

How Does the Extraction Process Work?

Let’s see what happens if your dentist says you need a tooth out.

Step 1: Check and Plan

Your dentist looks at your mouth, asks about your health, and takes X-rays.

Step 2: Numbing

To keep you comfy, the dentist gives you a shot to numb your tooth and jaw. For nervous people or big jobs, you might get medicine to relax or put you to sleep.

Step 3: The Extraction

For easy teeth, the dentist loosens and gently pulls the tooth with tools. For hard jobs (like stuck wisdom teeth), a surgeon cuts the gum, removes bone if needed, and lifts the tooth out.

Step 4: Stop Bleeding

Once the tooth is out, the dentist puts gauze on the spot. You bite down to help blood clot. Sometimes, you’ll get stitches.

Step 5: Start Healing

You get care tips about eating, brushing, and what to watch out for.

Case Story:

Jenna, age 25, saw her regular dentist for a bad molar. After an easy pull, she was back at work in two days, using store pain medicine. Her friend Josh had wisdom teeth pulled by an oral surgeon with medicine to sleep. He felt better in about a week, following aftercare.

What Happens After Tooth Removal?

You just had a tooth out. Now what? Your mouth needs time to get better. Here is what you should do:

First 24 Hours

• Keep the gauze until bleeding stops
• Rest and keep your head up
• Use a cold pack to help with swelling

Next Few Days

• Eat soft foods (pudding, scrambled eggs, soup)
• Take pain medicine as told
• Don’t smoke, use a straw, or spit hard (to keep the clot safe)
• Rinse gently after 24 hours

Follow the Rules

Your dental team gives you a list of do’s and don’ts. Follow these so you don’t get problems.

What’s a Dry Socket?

This is the most common issue. The blood clot in your tooth hole comes out early, and the bone shows. It hurts—a lot! If this happens, call your dentist right away.

Watch Out For:

• Bleeding that won’t stop
• Pain that gets worse after three days
• Swelling, pus, or fever

If you see anything strange, contact your dental office. Don’t wait.

How Much Does Tooth Extraction Cost?

Money’s important! Here’s what you might pay:

Costs depend on:

• Where and what tooth it is
• How tricky it is to pull
• If you need to be put to sleep
• Which dental pro does it

Dental insurance usually pays some, especially if it’s needed. Always ask the office to check your coverage first!

How Can Dental Labs Help After Extraction?

Once your tooth is gone, your smile might need some help to look normal again. That’s where a dental lab helps. Our lab partners make all kinds of special dental things just for you.

What We Can Do:

• Dental implants: A new “root” with a tooth on top
• Removable dentures: Replace one or all missing teeth
• Dental bridges: A fake tooth attached to the ones nearby

Our skilled team makes new teeth that look and feel real. With new dental technology, including help from a digital dental lab, you get fast and comfy results.

Why does this matter? Replacing the tooth makes your smile look better, helps you eat and talk, and stops other teeth from moving out of place.

How to Choose the Right Dentist for Extraction

Here’s where you pick. The right dental expert makes all the difference.

Step 1: Get a Good Check

A dentist needs to look in your mouth, take X-rays, and ask about your health.

Step 2: Ask These Questions

• Is my tooth removal easy or hard?
• Can you do this here, or do I need a specialist?
• What can go wrong, and how long to heal?
• What can I do after the tooth comes out?

Step 3: Ask for a Referral if Needed

If you’re scared, it’s okay to see a specialist. Oral surgeons are best for hard jobs and sleep medicine.

Step 4: Check Your Insurance

Costs can change if you see a specialist. Check what your insurance pays first.

Step 5: Ask About Replacement

Talk about implants, bridges, or dentures to fix your smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do all dentists pull teeth?

A: Most regular dentists can pull easy teeth. For hard ones, you might need an oral surgeon.

Q: Is pulling a tooth painful?

A: With numbing, you feel pressure but no pain. After, you might be sore, but regular pain medicine helps.

Q: How long does healing take?

A: Simple extractions get better in a few days. Harder ones, like wisdom teeth, can take a week or longer.

Q: What can I eat after extraction?

A: Soft foods at first. Avoid hot, spicy, or crunchy stuff for a while.

Q: When should I call the dentist after extraction?

A: If you have lots of pain, swelling, heavy bleeding, or signs of infection, call your dentist soon.

Key Takeaways: Remember These Points

• Both regular dentists and oral surgeons can pull teeth. How hard the job is decides who is best for you.
• Easy, not-stuck teeth? See your regular dentist.
• Hard, stuck, or broken teeth? An oral surgeon is best.
• Tooth pulling is common, safe, and helps keep your mouth healthy.
• Follow your dentist’s rules to heal fast and stay away from problems.
• Ask about new teeth or repairs from dental labs—like implants, bridges, dentures, or guards.
• Picking the right dental pro keeps you safe, comfy, and smiling bright.

For every dental problem—from easy pulls to fixing your full smile—working with a good dental lab helps keep your smile strong, healthy, and bright for years.