Tooth Extractions – City, State
Safe, Comfortable Tooth Extractions
In most cases, the Smile Specialties team will work hard to help patients preserve their healthy, natural teeth. However, there are situations where keeping your tooth may not be a viable option for protecting your oral health. If this is the case, Dr. Reed and her Lincoln dental team are happy to offer safe and comfortable tooth extractions, that way patients can maintain their healthiest smiles. Call our team to find out more about this procedure or to schedule a consultation with our Lincoln dentist today.
Why Choose Smile Specialties for Tooth Extractions?
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Sedation Dentistry Available for Optimal Comfort
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Advanced Dental Techniques & Technology
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Caring Dentist & Friendly Dental Team
When Would I Need Tooth Extractions?
We will do our best to help you keep your natural teeth for life, but we may recommend tooth extraction in the following situations:
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When severe tooth decay or damage has destroyed too much dental structure, and the tooth cannot support a restoration
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When teeth are too crowded and the removal of one or more teeth is necessary to ensure the success of orthodontic treatment
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In preparation for the creation and placement of partial and full dentures, one or more teeth may be extracted to ensure the longevity of your tooth replacement prosthetic
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After the development of wisdom teeth (the third molars), we’ll recommend removal if there is inadequate space for these additional molars or they are impacted (unable to erupt from the gums)
How Are Tooth Extractions Performed?
The specific procedure will change from case to case, but there are two main types of extractions. We can simply remove a tooth if it’s fully erupted from the gums but has not had time to fuse to the jawbone. We can first numb the area and then use grasping tools to shift the tooth back and forth until it breaks away from the socket.
Surgical extraction, however, is much more common. Most tooth removal is at least partially surgical in that we will need to remove some soft tissue to fully access the tooth. Surgical extraction is typically performed with local anesthesia combined with dental sedation to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
After completing your procedure, you’ll need to have someone take you home since the anesthesia won’t wear off until after a while. We’ll provide you with specific aftercare instructions to help make your recovery smoother. The most common points in the guideline include:
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Spending lots of time resting
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Rinsing with salt water to alleviate discomfort and eliminate bacteria
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Taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications
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Implementing good oral hygiene by carefully brushing and flossing
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Not smoking or chewing tobacco
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Not using a straw when drinking that can disrupt the blood clot forming in the surgical site
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
Keep in mind that a tooth extraction is typically reserved as a last resort for preserving a person’s oral health. That’s why, if your dentist has recommended that you undergo the treatment, it’s likely the only viable solution for protecting the rest of your smile. Still, while this procedure might be essential for you, you’ll want to know about the price before committing to anything. For this reason, you’ll need to visit our team for a consultation so that we can evaluate your oral health and determine how much you can expect to pay. Until then, here are several things to consider regarding the cost of tooth extractions.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
When first visiting us for a consultation, our team will assess your smile to see if removing a tooth is the best approach. If you do require one, here are a few of the major factors that can influence the overall price of your treatment:
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The number of teeth: Having to extract multiple teeth will generally cost more than removing a single tooth.
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The complexity of the process: Some tooth extractions might involve a more extensive procedure based on the location and angle of the tooth. The longer and more difficult the removal process, the higher the cost.
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Tooth replacement: Other than wisdom teeth, most pearly whites will need to be replaced after being extracted. The price of your tooth replacement will depend on the type of restoration or prosthetic you choose, such as a dental bridge, denture, or implant.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
Since tooth extractions are considered major and essential dental procedures, the majority of dental insurance companies will offer coverage for around half of the entire cost of your treatment once you’ve met your deductible. That said, you might have some limitations in your policy, such as a waiting period or coverage for only a certain number of teeth before your benefits come into play. That’s why you should review your plan with your provider beforehand to see if you can receive coverage. Our team will also be happy to help you navigate your policy so you can minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.
How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable
Even if you aren’t insured at the moment, it doesn’t mean you won’t have options for making your treatment work within your budget. Our team wants to ensure that you get the care you need without worrying too much about the price. For this reason, we’ve partnered with third-party financier CareCredit. Similar to a credit card, their plans can allow you to make small monthly payments instead of the entire sum upfront. Best of all, they usually come with little to zero interest, meaning you can keep more in the bank while taking care of your smile.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?
During the procedure, you will be completely numbed and will not feel any pain. Following any dental procedure, you will experience some discomfort as the body heals. However, if your pain becomes severe to the point that you can no longer handle the discomfort with pain-relieving medications and ice packs, you should call our team right away.
What is Dry Socket and Will I Get It?
Dry socket is a common complication of tooth extraction. Immediately following the removal of a tooth, your body will begin to create a blood clot in the socket. This blood clot protects the extraction site and promotes fast, comfortable healing. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot is prematurely removed or breaks down too quickly. If you experience severe throbbing pain or sensitivity, you may have dry socket. Call our team right away for assistance.
Should I Replace My Extracted Tooth?
In the case of teeth removed to make room for dental alignment and wisdom teeth, you will not need to replace your extracted teeth. Teeth pulled in preparation for dentures are already part of a tooth replacement plan. That leaves teeth that are too decayed or damaged to support a restoration. For these teeth, we do recommend that patients replace the tooth immediately. The longer you wait to restore your smile, the more likely it is that your soft tissue volume and jawbone density will diminish. Additionally, when a gap is left in the smile, surrounding teeth will begin to shift to fill the space. This can lead to serious alignment concerns, so the sooner the tooth is restored the better.
We offer several tooth replacement options including traditional dental bridges and dental implants. We will work with you to find the right tooth replacement option before we ever remove your tooth. We can seamlessly restore your smile, and you’ll spend less time without your full, healthy smile.
Can I Smoke After Getting a Tooth Extracted?
If you want to ensure your recovery is smooth sailing, then you’ll want to avoid tobacco products while you heal. Smoking cigars, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes can end up disrupting your healing process, making you vulnerable to complications like bacteria and infection. It’s recommended that you at least refrain from smoking for five days after your surgery. Avoiding this for two weeks or altogether would be even better, allowing you to recover properly as well as make the most of your improved oral health. Notify our team if you think you’ll have trouble quitting, and we can provide the support and resources you need to ensure proper recovery.
