Extraction is the removal of a tooth that cannot reasonably be saved, or that is causing repeated infection or crowding. We would rather keep a tooth where keeping it is realistic, and we will tell you honestly when it is not. A straightforward extraction — cabut gigi — usually takes twenty to forty minutes including numbing.
When this is usually needed
- A tooth broken down too far to be filled or crowned
- Severe looseness from advanced gum disease
- Repeated infection or an abscess in the same tooth
- A tooth an orthodontist has asked to be removed for crowding
- Severe pain from a tooth you have decided not to save
What happens, step by step
Assessment and x-ray
We check the root shape and its relationship to the nerve and sinus before starting.
Medical history
Blood thinners, diabetes, heart conditions and some bone medications change how we proceed. Tell us everything.
Numbing
Local anaesthetic. We wait until the area is properly numb and test it before beginning.
Removal
The tooth is loosened and lifted out. You will feel firm pressure but should not feel sharp pain.
Settling the socket
Gauze pressure to form a clot, and written aftercare instructions before you leave.
Before any treatment
This treatment may not be suitable for every patient. Whether it is appropriate for you depends on an examination at the clinic. Before we begin, we will assess your teeth and gums, take an updated medical history, explain the available options, and obtain your consent. Nothing on this page is a diagnosis or a treatment recommendation for your individual case.
Aftercare
- Bite firmly on the gauze for 30–45 minutes. Do not keep checking it.
- No rinsing, spitting, smoking or drinking through a straw for 24 hours — all of these can dislodge the clot and cause a dry socket, which is considerably more painful than the extraction.
- Cold soft food for the first day. Chew on the other side.
- From day two, rinse gently with warm salt water after meals.
- Call us if bleeding has not settled after a few hours, or if pain gets worse rather than better after day three.
Common questions
Does having a tooth out hurt?
With proper local anaesthetic you should feel pressure and movement but not pain. Soreness afterwards for two to three days is normal and usually manageable with ordinary painkillers.
How much does tooth extraction cost in Malaysia?
A straightforward extraction here is indicatively RM 100–250. A surgical extraction — where the tooth is broken down or the root is awkward — costs more and is quoted separately after examination.
How long does it take to heal?
The gum surface closes over in one to two weeks. The bone underneath continues filling in for several months. Most people are back to normal eating within a week.
Do I need to replace the tooth afterwards?
Not always. Back molars often need no replacement. Gaps further forward can allow neighbouring teeth to tilt over time. We will explain the options — denture, bridge or implant — with fees, and leave the decision to you.
Can I have it out the same day?
Often yes, if it is straightforward and your medical history allows it. Come early in the day if you can, so you are not managing fresh bleeding late at night.
Related treatments
- Wisdom tooth surgery — Cabut gigi bongsu
- Dentures — Gigi palsu
- Emergency dentist — Sakit gigi