Tooth and Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Haifa
Extraction is always the last resort – but when a tooth cannot be saved, or an impacted wisdom tooth is causing pain, repeated infections or damage to the tooth beside it, a gentle, well-planned extraction is the right treatment. At Shuster Dent in Haifa every extraction begins with an examination and X-ray, is done under full local anaesthesia, and ends with clear recovery instructions and, where relevant, a plan for replacing the missing tooth.
When a tooth is extracted
A good dentist fights for every tooth, and in most cases a filling, a root canal or a crown saves it. Extraction is considered only when the tooth is destroyed beyond repair – decay that has reached deep below the gum, a vertical root fracture, advanced gum disease that has left the tooth loose, or an infection that does not respond to root canal treatment.
There are also planned extractions: baby teeth blocking the eruption of a permanent tooth, teeth removed for orthodontic treatment when the jaw has no room, and impacted wisdom teeth.
The decision is made after an examination and X-ray, and always comes with a discussion of what will replace the tooth – because a missing tooth that is not replaced changes the bite over the years.
Wisdom teeth – remove or keep
Wisdom teeth erupt between the ages of 17 and 25, and often there is no room for them. An impacted wisdom tooth – stuck in the bone or gum, sometimes growing at an angle towards the tooth beside it – can cause pain, recurring gum infection around it, decay in the neighbouring tooth that is hard to clean, and in rare cases a cyst.
A wisdom tooth that has erupted fully, stands straight, meets its opposite tooth and cleans well – there is no reason to remove it. A panoramic X-ray shows where the roots sit relative to the nerve canal and the sinus, and that is what determines whether the extraction is simple, surgical, or one best referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Removing an impacted wisdom tooth is done under full local anaesthesia: the gum is opened, a little bone is sometimes removed, the tooth is sometimes divided into sections to lift it out gently, and the site is stitched. Swelling peaks on the second or third day and settles gradually.
Recovery – what to do and what to avoid
In the first hours: bite on the gauze for about 30 to 45 minutes, do not rinse or spit forcefully, and wait to eat until the anaesthetic has worn off. A cold compress on the cheek, 15 minutes at a time, reduces swelling on the first day. Take pain relief as directed, ideally the first dose before the anaesthetic wears off.
For the first three days: soft, lukewarm food, drinks without a straw, no smoking, no alcohol and no strenuous exercise. From the second day onwards – gentle warm salt-water rinses after meals, and normal brushing while avoiding the extraction site.
Call the clinic if bleeding does not stop after two hours of pressure on gauze, if pain gets worse rather than better after the third day, or if fever, spreading swelling or difficulty swallowing appear.
The stages of treatment
Examination and X-ray
Clinical examination and an X-ray – a panoramic X-ray for wisdom teeth – to assess the roots, the nerve and the bone.
Explanation and planning
What will happen, what to expect in recovery, and what will replace the tooth if needed.
Anaesthesia
Full local anaesthesia of the area, and confirmation that it is numb before starting.
Gentle extraction
Loosening and removal of the tooth with maximum preservation of bone and gum; stitches where needed.
Instructions and follow-up
Written recovery instructions, a prescription where needed, and a follow-up or stitch removal about a week later.
Treatment Benefits
- Gentle extraction under full local anaesthesia
- Diagnosis and X-ray before every extraction – including impacted wisdom teeth
- Clear recovery guidance and follow-up after treatment
- Bone preservation and advance planning of the replacement (implant or bridge)
- Referral to an oral surgeon in complex cases
The information on this page is general and is not medical advice or a substitute for examination. A suitable treatment plan is determined only after a clinical examination and imaging.
Extractions & Wisdom Teeth
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a tooth extraction hurt?
The extraction itself is done under full local anaesthesia and is not painful – you feel pressure, not pain. In the days afterwards there is tenderness and sometimes mild swelling, both well managed with pain relief and a cold compress.
Does every wisdom tooth need to come out?
No. A wisdom tooth that has fully erupted, sits in the right position and can be cleaned can stay. Removal is advised when the wisdom tooth is impacted, causes repeated gum infections, presses on the neighbouring tooth or develops decay that cannot be treated.
How long does recovery take?
After a simple extraction – two to three days of tenderness, with the gum closing over within one to two weeks. After surgical removal of a wisdom tooth – about a week of swelling and discomfort, with stitches removed or dissolving after about a week.
What is "dry socket" and how do I avoid it?
Dry socket is when the blood clot in the extraction site is lost too early and exposes the bone – severe pain starting two to three days after the extraction. Avoiding smoking, vigorous rinsing and drinking through a straw in the first days greatly reduces the risk. If it does happen, a simple dressing at the clinic relieves the pain immediately.
What about the gap left after the extraction?
For a wisdom tooth – nothing, the space closes on its own. For any other tooth, replacing it is advised, because the neighbouring teeth tend to drift and the bone in the area shrinks. Implant, bridge or partial denture – we go through the options before the extraction, and bone can sometimes be preserved at the time of extraction itself.
Can a tooth be extracted during pregnancy?
A non-urgent extraction is usually postponed until after the birth, but where there is pain or infection it can certainly be done in pregnancy, preferably in the second trimester and in coordination with your obstetrician. Local anaesthesia is safe in pregnancy.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your appointment today for a no-obligation initial consultation.