Tooth Extractions in Lakeland, FL
At Quality Dental Care of Lakeland, our top priority is to protect your teeth and maintain your oral health. Our dentists recommend the most conservative options to protect your smile and preserve the healthy tooth structure. There are some situations, however, where extracting your tooth is the most appropriate solution.
Our dental team understands that the prospect of having a tooth extracted makes many patients feel anxious. The skills and expertise offered by Dr. Mohammed Zaman, DDS, our prosthodontist, mean you don’t have to go to a different office or specialist to have your tooth removed. Our dentists in Lakeland, FL provide the advanced care you need with a compassionate team you know and trust.
When Are Dental Extractions Needed?
Some of the situations when we might recommend a dental extraction to protect your overall oral health are:
- Your tooth is decayed or damaged beyond repair
- Periodontal disease and advanced bone loss jeopardize surrounding teeth
- Root canal treatment to save the tooth is not an option
- In preparation for placement of full or partial dentures
Gentle Care from Our Dentists in Lakeland, FL
Your comfort is always our top priority, and our professional team is trained to do everything possible to put you at ease. Dr. Vernon Smith and Dr. Mohammad Zaman will show you x-rays of the problematic tooth and explain why it needs to be extracted. They will discuss any available options and answer your questions until they’re sure you understand how removing it will benefit your long-term oral health.
A caring member of our team will be at your side every step of the way to provide support and encouragement before, during, and after the extraction. Even the most confident patients can be overwhelmed by the thought of extraction, so we are pleased to offer a sedative to take the edge off your anxiety. If you do choose oral sedation, you will need a friend or family member to drive you to and from your appointment at Quality Dental Care of Lakeland.
Schedule an Exam at Quality Dental Care of Lakeland!
At Quality Dental Care of Lakeland, we are pleased to offer high-quality, comprehensive dental services and the benefit of having your treatment completed by a specialist without having to visit another dental office. You can be confident that, whichever treatment you receive, our caring dentists will treat you exactly as they would wish to be treated – with honesty, compassionate care, and respect for your individual needs.
If you are dealing with a damaged tooth and think an extraction may be necessary, please call our Lakeland, FL dentist office at (863) 858-3891 to arrange a consultation with Dr. Smith or Dr. Zaman. You can count on us to provide the treatment you need to protect and maintain your oral health!
6 Reasons You Might Need a Tooth Extraction
Sometimes, pulling a tooth is the best way to protect your oral health and comfort. Here are six common reasons why a dentist might recommend an extraction in Lakeland, FL.
Severe Decay
Removing a severely decayed or damaged tooth may be the only way to protect your smile.
Gum Disease
When gum disease gets serious, a tooth extraction may be the best way to preserve your overall oral health.
Impacted Teeth
Impacted teeth can cause pain, infection, misalignment, and other issues. An extraction may be the only solution.
Overcrowding
Sometimes, removing a tooth creates space for your teeth to shift into the right position for a straighter smile.
Damaged Tooth
If a tooth is badly fractured and can’t be saved, extraction may be the best solution to avoid further issues.
Abscess
If a deep infection can’t be fixed with a root canal, extracting the tooth prevents it from spreading and protects your oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions
While any surgery has its pros and cons, patients do not have to worry about pain during the procedure. At Quality Dental Care of Lakeland, we administer local anesthesia before the procedure to eliminate any pain.
After the dental procedure, we will recommend over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription pain medication to relieve any pain.
Comfortable Dental Extractions in Lakeland, FL
E
ach patient has their own comfort levels, and we work hard to provide the level of care they need. We may use one or more types of anesthesia, depending on patient needs.
- Local anesthesia: We apply a numbing anesthetic to your gums near the extraction site. Patients typically feel some pressure and movement but no pain or discomfort.
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): Provides minimal sedation to help patients relax throughout the procedure
- Oral sedation: We may have patients take a sedative pill an hour before the procedure for more sedation
These options keep patients awake but relaxed.
Reasons Tooth Extractions Are Needed
While our teeth are meant to last for a lifetime, there are always situations when a tooth may need to be extracted. Commonly, we recommend dental extractions in Lakeland, FL if a tooth is badly damaged, either from injury or tooth decay.
Other reasons include:
- Overly crowded jaw: Dental extractions are common before orthodontic treatment
- Infection: If the infection enters the tooth, we can correct it with root canal therapy. If this is not an option, we will extract the tooth to prevent the infection from spreading
- Gum disease: Periodontal disease infects the tissues, gum, and bones that surround teeth. Without treatment, gum disease can lead to tooth loss
Schedule An Exam at Quality Dental Care of Lakeland!
Patients don't need to worry about painful procedures when they come to us for tooth extraction in Lakeland, FL. We strive to make every dental treatment as comfortable and pain-free as possible!
Give Quality Dental Care of Lakeland a call today at (863) 858-3891 to schedule a dental exam.
Your dentist in Lakeland, FL, will only pull a tooth when it is too damaged to be saved or as part of specific orthodontic treatments or implant-supported dentures in Lakeland, FL. It is a common dental procedure that Dr. Vernon Smith and Dr. Mohammad Zaman have performed many times, and they will prioritize your comfort during the tooth extraction in Lakeland, FL.
The Steps in a Tooth Extraction
Before recommending any significant dental treatment, the team at Quality Dental Care of Lakeland will take x-rays, and your dentist will perform a complete examination. You can rest assured that we will address any questions or concerns before pulling a tooth, including how you should follow up with a tooth replacement.
If you need support and encouragement before, during, and after the extraction, a member of our team will care for your needs. In addition to a local anesthetic to numb your mouth, we offer a sedative to lessen your stress and anxiety and help with pain management.
Following your tooth extraction, we will provide tips for encouraging healing and caring for your teeth from now on. Additionally, we will help you understand that any pulled tooth should be replaced to maintain optimal oral health. Replacement options include a dental bridge or dental implants in Lakeland, FL.
Schedule an Appointment at Quality Dental Care of Lakeland
For more information on tooth extraction in Lakeland FL, contact our dentist office at (863) 858-3891. We're here to discuss your options for securing your oral health.
Taking good care of yourself after a tooth extraction in Lakeland, FL will help ensure a smooth and easy recovery. One of the ways to do this is to stick to soft foods for the first few days after your surgery.
Avoid eating foods that are too hot and could irritate your surgical site. Instead, keep things at room temperature for the first 48 hours after surgery.
Here are some ideas for soft foods that are easy and comfortable to eat after tooth extraction:
- Scrambled eggs
- Smoothies
- Soup
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
It's also a good idea to avoid drinking through a straw or smoking cigarettes for the first 72 hours after your surgery. Sucking on a straw or cigarette could cause your blood clot to dislodge, sometimes resulting in a painful condition called dry socket that can prolong your healing process.
Talk to Your Dentists in Lakeland, FL for Tooth Extraction Aftercare
If you have questions about tooth extraction in Lakeland FL, concerns after your surgery, or notice problems like excessive bleeding, please contact your team at Quality Dental Care of Lakeland immediately. Our team is here to support you throughout your recovery process, and we can often offer assistance or guidance over the phone.
You can call our Lakeland, FL dentist office at (863) 858-3891, and we'll be happy to answer your questions!
After a tooth extraction, it’s important to give your mouth time to heal before diving back into your regular diet. For the first few hours, it’s best to avoid eating altogether to allow the blood clot to form properly. Once the numbness wears off, you can start with soft foods and liquids to avoid putting pressure on the extraction site.
For the first 24 hours, stick to easy-to-eat options like:
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Mashed potatoes
- Smoothies
- Soup (not too hot!)
Steer clear of straws. The suction can disturb the blood clot, increasing the risk of dry socket, a painful condition that can delay healing.
By day two or three, you can introduce slightly firmer foods like scrambled eggs, pasta, or soft bread, but it’s still best to chew on the opposite side of your mouth. Avoid crunchy, sticky, or spicy foods until your dentist gives the all-clear.
Most people can return to a normal diet within a week, depending on how well they heal. Just remember: listen to your body, and if something feels uncomfortable, stick to softer options a little longer. If you experience prolonged pain or swelling, check in with your dentist to make sure everything is healing properly.
Call Our Lakeland Dentist Today
Call our dental office today to learn more or to schedule your appointment.
Meet Our Specialist:
Dr. Vernon Smith DMD
Dr. Vernon Smith is a native of Central Florida and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida in 2007. He went on to study at Nova Southeastern University where he earned his Doctorate in Dental Medicine in 2012. Dr. Smith began his career working for dental chains in central Florida but quickly realized that he wanted to focus more on establishing collaborative dentist-patient relationships and purchased Quality Dental Care in 2016.
Dr. Smith believes that dentistry should not be operated like a cookie-cutter based model and that each patient needs a ...
Featured Blog Posts - Tooth Extraction
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Dry socket, a painful condition that can occur after tooth extraction, happens when the blood clot protecting the bone and nerves in the extraction site becomes dislodged. If you’re dealing with dry socket pain, knowing how to manage it effectively and speed up the recovery process is crucial.
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Reasons You May Need a Tooth Extraction in Lakeland, FL
Updated in September 2025
Most of us don’t like to think about tooth extraction, but this course is sometimes necessary to protect your oral health.
Your dentist in Lakeland, FL recommends extraction for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, we can restore your smile with one of our quality tooth replacement options in most cases.
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One of the most common reasons for tooth extraction is damage. Severe trauma, a tooth broken at the gum line, and untreated decay may mean your dentist in 33809 cannot save the ...