Can a Regular Dentist Pull a Broken Tooth? Your Easy Guide to Extractions

Ever bite into something and suddenly feel a crunch that shouldn’t be there? Broken teeth happen a lot, and they can make you feel worried, sore, and confused about what to do. In this article, I’ll help you figure out if your regular dentist can take care of a broken tooth or if you need someone who does only tooth surgeries. After reading, you’ll know what to expect and what to do next to get your mouth feeling good again. This guide is full of real advice and clear steps everyone can follow.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Why It Helps to Know About Broken Tooth Extractions

Picture this: You’re eating at the table, take a bite, then—crack! Sharp pain hits. You feel a rough edge with your tongue. It’s scary. What should you do? Getting help for a broken tooth is important. Sometimes, your usual dentist can fix things. Other times, you might need someone who only does tooth surgeries. This article will answer your questions and help you feel better fast, so you can eat, talk, and smile like normal again.

Can Your Regular Dentist Pull a Broken Tooth?

Big question: Can your regular dentist help with your broken tooth?

Most times, yes. General dentists take out lots of broken teeth every year. If your tooth is broken above the gum, has simple roots, and isn’t stuck—your regular dentist can often pull it using normal dental tools.

For example, I remember a patient, Mrs. Johnson, who was worried about her broken back tooth. We took an x-ray, saw that only the top was cracked, and the roots were OK. I numbed her mouth, got the tooth loose, and took it out easily. She was happy it was much simpler than she thought.

Dentists use special tools to loosen and lift out broken teeth. They look at x-rays first to see if there are any problems. Most regular dentists can help with simple broken teeth right in their office.

When Should You See a Specialist?

While regular dentists usually help first, sometimes things are more tricky. Some breaks need an oral surgeon—that’s a dentist who does only hard extractions.

When do you need a specialist?

• The tooth is broken under the gum or at the bone.
• The roots are very broken or split.
• The broken tooth is stuck in the jaw (often wisdom teeth).
• There’s a big infection around the tooth.
• The tooth sits near big nerves or your sinuses.
• You have health problems, like bleeding issues or heart troubles.

Let’s say there’s a root tip stuck deep in your jaw, or a tooth piece on a nerve. That’s rare, but that’s when your dentist will send you to the oral surgeon. Oral surgeons have lots of extra training and can give you stronger medicine to help you relax.

Your regular dentist is the first person to check, but if things look hard, they’ll make sure you see the right expert.

What Makes Tooth Extraction Tougher?

Not all broken teeth are the same. What makes some extractions easy or hard?

1. Kind of Break:

• A small chip? Easy to pull.
• Tooth split in half or below the gum? That’s tougher.

2. Where the Tooth Is:

• Front teeth are usually easy.
• Back molars with more than one root are harder.

3. Your Roots:

Curvy or long roots make pulling harder. Some teeth have roots stuck to the jaw bone.

4. Health of Your Gums and Bone:

If you have infection or bone loss, it can get more tricky.

5. Your Medical Story:

If you bleed easily or have health problems, your dentist has to be careful.

Here’s a table to make it easy:

How Does a Dentist Check If Extraction Is Hard?

Every extraction starts with a good look and some pictures.

Your dentist will:

With all this, the dentist decides if it’s easy or if you need an expert.

What Happens During the Broken Tooth Extraction?

A lot of people get worried when they hear “tooth pulled.” But it’s not as bad as it sounds. Here’s what happens:

Step 1: Numbing

First, your dentist gives you a shot to make your tooth and gum numb. You shouldn’t feel pain, just some pressure.

Step 2: Loosening the Tooth

They use a tool to wiggle your tooth. You might hear a pop or crack—that’s normal!

Step 3: Pulling the Tooth

Special pliers grip and lift the tooth out. Sometimes, the dentist takes it out in pieces.

Step 4: Surgery Steps (if needed)

If your tooth is stuck or below the gum, they might cut the gum a little or work in small steps. It sounds scary, but it’s not bad.

Step 5: All Done

They clean your mouth, maybe put some stitches in, and have you bite down on a gauze pad. You’ll get simple steps to help you heal.

How Do You Care for Your Mouth After Extraction?

After a tooth is pulled, taking care of your mouth is really important.

Here’s what to do:

Day 1:

• Bite softly on gauze for half an hour to an hour to stop bleeding.
• Put an ice pack on your cheek to help with swelling.
• Don’t spit or suck through a straw for one day—you might move the blood clot you need for healing.
• Rest with your head up.

Days 2–7:

• Eat soft, cold foods like yogurt, pudding, or mashed potatoes.
• Rinse your mouth with warm salty water after the first day to keep things clean.
• Brush the other teeth, but be careful near the empty spot.
• No smoking or drinking alcohol.

Pain?

Your dentist may tell you to take pain pills you can buy at any store, like ibuprofen, or give you antibiotics just in case. Most people feel better after 2 or 3 days.

What Problems Could Happen?

Even with good care, problems can sometimes happen (but not often).

Most common problems:

• Dry Socket: If the blood clot comes out too soon, you’ll get pain and a bad taste. This happens to a few people (more often with hard-to-pull teeth). Following care steps keeps this away.
• Infection: Redness, swelling, or pus in your mouth is a reason to call your dentist.
• Nerve Trouble: It’s rare, but numb lips or chin can happen.
• Sinus Issues: Sometimes a back top tooth is close to the sinus—your dentist always checks for this.

Most things get better fast if you care for your mouth and call your dentist if you need help.

Are There Other Choices Besides Extraction?

Do you really have to lose your tooth? Sometimes, no!

Dentists can save your tooth if:

• The break is just on the outside. They might fix it with white filling stuff or a crown.
• If the middle of the tooth is hurt but the root is OK, a root canal and a crown can save it.

But: The longer you wait, the less likely you can save the tooth. See the dentist fast for more choices.

What Can I Do After a Tooth Is Pulled?

Leaving a hole where your tooth was isn’t a great idea—other teeth move around, your bite can feel funny, and bone under the gum gets thinner.

Dentists usually suggest:

Ask your dentist what’s right for you. Your age, health, and budget matter.

How Much Does a Broken Tooth Extraction Cost?

Money worries are normal. Here’s a quick answer:

• Simple extraction (at your regular dentist): $150–$400
• Surgical or hard extraction (specialist): $300–$800+

Price changes because of:

• How hard the tooth is to pull
• Kind of pain medicine (regular shot or IV)
• Where you live
• If you have dental insurance

Some china dental labs and clinics can work out payment plans or discounts. Government or community dental places might help, too. Always ask your dentist’s office about ways to pay before your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will pulling a broken tooth hurt?

A: You shouldn’t feel pain because your mouth is numbed. You might feel some pressure, and a little pain after, but over-the-counter medicine helps.

Q: What happens if I do nothing about a broken tooth?

A: Waiting can cause pain, infection, and even trouble with other teeth. It’s safer to see your dentist soon.

Q: Can my child’s broken tooth be saved?

A: Sometimes! If the break is little and not close to the root, bonding or a filling could work. See a dentist fast to avoid infection.

Q: What should I eat after an extraction?

A: Stick to soft, cool stuff like applesauce, soup, yogurt, and mashed potatoes.

Quick Takeaways: What to Remember

• Most broken teeth can be fixed by your regular dentist—as long as the break isn’t too tricky.
• If there’s infection, broken roots, or a tooth stuck in bone, you may need a specialist.
• Dental x-rays and a check-up show your choices.
• Follow care tips so you heal fast and avoid trouble like dry socket or infection.
• Sometimes teeth can be saved if you go to the dentist right away!
• Don’t ignore broken teeth—problems get worse over time.
• You can fill the space with implants, bridges, or partial dentures.
• Costs change, but there’s help if you need it.

Ask your dental team for help—they want your teeth healthy every day!