Tooth Extractions - Plano
Removing Problematic Teeth for a Healthier Smile
In most cases, Dr. Azmoodeh and his team work hard to avoid tooth extractions in Plano, TX when they aren’t necessary. At the end of the day, saving your natural tooth is always a better solution than simply extracting it. However, some situations require an extraction, either because there isn’t enough salvageable tooth left or the neighboring teeth are at risk of damage if left in the mouth. If your tooth is severely damaged or your wisdom teeth are beginning to erupt, don’t hesitate to contact our dental office today!
When is a Tooth Extraction Necessary?
Teeth are made from enamel, which is the hardest substance in the human body. With that being said, teeth are still fragile to long-term plaque exposure and trauma. If a tooth is so damaged that a filling or crown will not be enough to restore it, whether it’s from a sporting injury or a very large cavity, your dentist will extract it to prevent infections of neighboring teeth.
If your wisdom tooth erupts but fails to break through the gums because it’s caught underneath a neighboring tooth, it is impacted. Impacted teeth significantly increase the risk of infection and need immediate removal to prevent permanent damage. Furthermore, the human mouth rarely has enough room to account for additional wisdom teeth and are routinely removed to prevent misalignment and crowding.
While these are the most common reasons for extracting teeth, other reasons include:
- Baby teeth that won’t fall out properly
- Damage to bone supporting teeth due to gum disease
- Additional room is needed for dentures or orthodontic treatments
What are the Different Types of Tooth Extractions?
The type of extraction your dentist uses will depend on your unique case. Most tooth extractions can be broken down into two categories: simple and surgical.
Simple extractions involve removing teeth that are easily visible inside the mouth. Before the extraction, they apply a local anesthetic to the tissue holding the tooth to effectively numb the area and prevent any discomfort during treatment.
Alternatively, surgical extractions are necessary when teeth are not easily visible or accessible. When teeth are impacted, an incision must be made into the connective tissue in order to access the tooth. This typically involves breaking the tooth into smaller pieces and removing them that way.
How Your Dentist Can Make You More Comfortable
On top of the local anesthetic to numb the area, your dentist offers multiple forms of sedation dentistry to help you stay as relaxed as possible during your extraction.
For patients with mild levels of anxiety or fear, nitrous oxide is an ideal solution. This sedative is administered through a nasal mask and stays on for the entire appointment. Once removed, you’ll be able to continue your daily activities.
Patients that have moderate or severe dental phobia or anxiety may be recommended oral conscious sedation to provide relief. This method comes in pill form and is much stronger, therefore requiring a friend or family member to drive you to and from the appointment.
Tooth extractions in Plano are easy when you have a professional team with the right tools to make it happen. Contact us today to protect your oral health from damaged or intrusive teeth!
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
A tooth extraction is never your dentist’s first choice, but sometimes it’s necessary in order to preserve the health of the rest of your smile. If you’ve recently been told that you are needing to have a tooth removed, you may initially be concerned about the cost of the treatment. Continue reading to find out what you need to know about the cost of tooth extractions.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
It is difficult to determine the exact cost of a tooth extraction until we have taken a look at your smile to identify the issue. During your appointment with us, our team will conduct an examination to find out exactly what’s necessary for you. Here are some of the main factors that we will consider:
- Location: The type and location of your tooth will influence the cost of your procedure.
- Number of Teeth: The more teeth that you need to have extracted, the more the treatment will likely cost.
- Complexity: Some cases are more complex than others, and this will influence the price. An impacted tooth extraction will most likely cost more than a simple extraction.
- Sedation Option: Sedation dentistry has its own cost. If you take advantage of a sedation option, you may end up paying more.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
It’s very common for dental insurance to cover about 50% of the cost of tooth extractions after the deductible has been met. However, there are sometimes limits in place that cover only a certain number of teeth, or a waiting period before coverage kicks in. Because every plan is different, it’s a good idea to check in with your provider ahead of time. We are happy to help you out in this process as well. No one wants to deal will unnecessary surprises on their bill.
Other Options for Making Tooth Extractions Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re left completely on your own. At Legacy Trails Dental of Plano, we work with CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little-to-no interest. We also accept Medicaid. To learn more about your financial options, talk to one of our friendly team members.
To learn exactly how much you can expect to pay for your tooth extraction, schedule an appointment with us. We’re eager to help you get the treatment you need!
Tooth Extractions FAQs
At Legacy Trails Dental of Plano, we try to preserve our patients’ natural smiles for as long as we can. However, if we determine that one or more of your teeth needs to be removed, we understand that you may have some questions about the process. Our team will be sure to answer any of your questions and put your mind at ease ahead of your procedure, but we’ve answered some of the most common questions about tooth extractions that we receive below.
Is There an Alternative to a Tooth Extraction?
As lifelike and long-lasting as today’s tooth replacements are, there’s still nothing quite like the teeth you were born with. That’s why your dentist in Plano will do their utmost save your natural pearly whites whenever possible. Generally, we’ll only recommend a tooth extraction when the tooth cannot be saved by other treatment options. At that point, the tooth needs to be removed in order to prevent further damage to your smile.
In short, no – there is almost never an alternative to getting a tooth extracted that doesn’t put your oral health at risk.
What’s the Recovery for Tooth Extractions Like?
Although the healing process after a tooth extraction will look slightly different for everyone, there are a few basic instructions that you should abide by. These include:
- Get plenty of rest, as strenuous exercise could prevent your body from healing as quickly.
- Don’t disturb the blood clot that forms over the extraction site. If you don’t take good care of the blood clot, it could get dislodged, resulting in a painful condition called dry socket.
- Minimize the risk of infection by keeping your mouth clean. Brush, floss, and rinse with saltwater as directed by our dentists.
- Take pain medication – either the ones we prescribe or over-the-counter ones that your doctor has approved you to take.
- Use a cold compress to lessen pain and swelling.
- Eat a soft food diet.
Around the three-day mark after your procedure, you should start feeling better. If you experience discomfort that seems to get worse instead of fading away, please call our practice as soon as you can.
Can I Smoke After Getting a Tooth Extracted?
Tobacco products – including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and even vaping – has been shown to slow the body’s healing process. The suction force involved in smoking can also lead to dry socket. Therefore, you should avoid smoking when you’re recovering from a tooth extraction. We recommend abstaining from tobacco use for at least five days following your procedure, but, if possible, you should avoid it for two weeks afterward.
If you’ve had trouble quitting in the past, don’t be afraid to reach out to one of our dentists. We’re not interested in passing judgment at all; we simply want you to get the help you need to maintain a healthy smile!
How Long After a Tooth Extraction Can I Get Dentures?
In most cases, we’ll need to wait for your gums and jaw to heal from the tooth extractions before we can replace your teeth with dentures. On average, this takes between six and eight weeks. If we were to take impressions and design a denture before then, it would end up not fitting correctly, as your mouth will naturally change shape in the few weeks after your teeth are removed.