Your natural teeth play an extremely important role in biting, chewing, and maintaining a healthy mouth and jawbone. If they become infected or injured, our first priority will always be to try to restore, repair, or otherwise salvage them. There are situations, though, where tooth extractions in Brick Township are necessary. At Nu Dental Brick, Dr. Gizachew will walk you through every step of the extraction procedure and ensure that you’re comfortable at all times. Call us today to learn more or schedule an appointment if you believe that tooth removal might be a possible solution for your dental pain.
Why Choose Nu Dental Brick for Tooth Extractions?
In-House Implant Placement to Replace Teeth
Expert Dentist Using Advanced Technology
Highly Relaxing Options for Dental Sedation
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
Use current Reasons to Perform a Tooth Extraction image
While it will always be a last resort, we may recommend an extraction under the following circumstances:
Your tooth has developed severe decay and cannot be salvaged with root canal therapy or another restorative option.
Your tooth suffered from physical trauma that cannot be corrected with a dental crown.
You have impacted wisdom teeth that are posing a threat to your oral health (or you wish to get them extracted as a preventive measure).
The Process of Removing a Tooth
There are two types of tooth extractions.
During a simple extraction, we use an elevator to lift the tooth out of its socket. Then, forceps are used to grip the tooth, break any connective tissues holding it in place, and remove it from the mouth.
During a surgical extraction, such as what is commonly used for wisdom teeth, we may have to create incisions in the gums or break a tooth into pieces in order to remove it.
Following the removal of teeth (except for wisdom teeth), we usually recommend tooth replacement to prevent future dental problems, such as dental drift and future tooth loss.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
As your dentist in Brick Township, Dr. G will provide detailed instructions to help you recover from your extraction. He often recommends that patients:
Take painkillers and prescribed medications according to instructions
Get plenty of rest
Avoid smoking and the use of drinking straws
Prop their head up with a pillow while sleeping
Regularly rinse with saltwater to minimize swelling and inflammation
Once your mouth has healed, you may be eligible for a dental implant or dental bridge. Filling in the gap in your mouth can restore your smile’s aesthetics, help you enjoy strong chewing power, and provide other noteworthy benefits.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
Before having one of your teeth extracted, it’s wise to understand every aspect of the procedure—including the expected cost! While we can’t give you an exact estimate without first examining your mouth, we can give you a better idea about what factors affect the cost, what you can expect to pay out of pocket, and what you can do to make the procedure more affordable. Keep reading below to learn more about the cost of tooth extractions in Brick Township.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
Since no two tooth extractions are exactly the same, the cost will inevitably vary from patient to patient. When you visit us, we’ll be able to inspect your mouth and determine the best course of action along with an expected cost of treatment. That said, there are several factors that contribute to what you can expect to pay:
The location of the tooth (back teeth are usually more difficult to extract than front teeth).
The total number of teeth that need to be removed.
Which method of extraction is utilized (simple vs. surgical).
The tooth's position relative to the gumline (partial eruption, full eruption, etc).
THe type of anesthesia/sedation methods that are used.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
Tooth extractions are often performed only when deemed as a medical necessity, which means it’s common for most dental insurance plans to cover around 50% of the cost (assuming your deductible has been met). However, there still could be certain limitations or restrictions, such as a waiting period before coverage kicks in, or a limit to the number of teeth that are covered. It’s always best to check with your provider beforehand about the details and limitations of your insurance plan. Our team can also work with you to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your coverage and reducing your out-of-pocket expenses!
How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable
Patients who don’t have dental insurance aren’t entirely out of luck when it comes to lessening the cost of their tooth extractions. We’re thrilled to offer financing through CareCredit that’ll allow you to break your total cost of treatment into manageable monthly installments. We’re also happy to offer in-house membership plans that’ll give you access to discounts on all services with no annual maximums, deductibles, or age limits. For additional information concerning what you can do to make your tooth extractions less of a burden on your wallet, feel free to give our team a call; we’d be happy to help!
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Does Getting a Tooth Pulled Hurt?
Before the procedure, your mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic by our dentist in Brick Township. If needed, we also offer multiple dental sedation options. This will help you feel comfortable during the extraction, and you shouldn’t feel any pain at all! However, expect some soreness and discomfort in the first few days following the extraction. You can easily manage your symptoms by diligently following the aftercare instructions you were given. Taking proper care of your mouth after extraction will not only promote faster healing but lower your risk of infection. If your pain worsens or you begin to exhibit other symptoms like developing a fever, contact our office right away for assistance.
How Should I Prepare for My Tooth Extraction?
Preparing for your tooth extraction is just as important as taking the right steps for recovery after the procedure. Before your extraction, we’ll answer any questions you have and explain how you can prep for your appointment. Our team here at Nu Dental Brick will provide you with specific instructions like only drinking water or picking up prescription medication. Make sure you have arrangements for someone to drive you home after the appointment since you’ll likely receive local or general anesthesia.
What’s the Recovery for Tooth Extractions Like?
Once the procedure is complete, your emergency dentist in Brick Township will give you a list of aftercare instructions. These are designed to help you prevent infection and heal comfortably. Some of the most important best practices are getting plenty of rest, keeping your mouth clean, sticking to soft foods, not spitting, and refraining from tobacco use. To keep discomfort at bay, you can place a cold compress against the outside of your cheek for 10 minutes at a time and take over-the-counter pain relievers as instructed. Around the three-day mark, you should begin to feel better.
What Are My Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth?
Filling the gap in your smile following a tooth extraction is essential for both appearance and function. For this reason, we will recommend a dental bridge, dentures, or dental implants. While dental bridges can replace 1-4 teeth, they need to be in a single row for this tooth-replacement solution. Partial and full dentures are a tried-and-true choice that can address moderate or severe tooth loss but cannot stimulate your jawbone to prevent bone loss. Fortunately, dental implants can effectively replace one, a few, or an entire arch of teeth. Since the implant posts are inserted directly into the jawbone, they are incredibly lifelike, extremely stable, and able to last for 20-plus years with proper care.
Is There an Alternative Treatment to Tooth Extraction?
Many people feel nervous when our team recommends extraction, and some want to know whether there are other solutions to treat their tooth instead. But the truth is that if we’ve suggested this service, it’s likely because we’ve already determined that other options would be ineffective.
For instance, a root canal followed by placement of a dental crown can often alleviate pain and restore the treated tooth’s function and appearance. But if your tooth is too decayed, damaged, or diseased to be repaired, removing it is the best way to prevent your dental condition from worsening.
Can I Leave the Space Empty After My Procedure?
If you’re hoping to avoid another procedure or simply want to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, you might feel tempted to leave the socket empty after the problematic tooth has been pulled. But there are risks associated with tooth loss that you might not have considered.
For example, without a root to stimulate new bone growth each time you bite down, your jaw begins to weaken, which can eventually cause more teeth to fall out. Not only that, but any that are left behind are likely to shift out of alignment to fill the empty gaps, which can cause misalignments, damage, and decay.
Is it Safe to Smoke Following an Extraction?
Many people turn to cigarettes or other tobacco products for comfort or to soothe their frayed nerves, but if you’ve just had a tooth removed, it’s best to avoid them. This is because they contain nicotine, which in addition to being addictive, also reduces your blood oxygen levels and flow. Not only does this suppress your immune system, but it also makes it harder for your body to deliver essential nutrients and infection-fighting cells to your mouth to recover following your procedure.
Furthermore, the suction from dragging on a vape or cigarette can dislodge the blood clot that must form at the extraction site to prevent a painful complication known as a dry socket. As a result, most experts recommend waiting a minimum of 3 to 5 days before resuming smoking.
Are There Risks Associated with Tooth Extractions?
This procedure is generally considered safe for most people when administered by a qualified professional, but as with any oral procedure, it does come with a few inevitable risks.
For example, it’s possible to develop an infection at the extraction site, which can enter your bloodstream and travel to other areas of your body if left untreated. You might also develop dry socket if the blood clot that must form over the area is damaged or dislodged. Many of our team’s post-operative directions are intended to help you heal as effectively as possible while avoiding these potential pitfalls.
