Tooth Extractions – Covington, GA
Protect Your Smile by Removing Problematic Teeth
At Dean Dental Care, our goal is to help you preserve your natural pearly whites for life. However, if a tooth becomes severely decayed, broken, or infected, it can pose a threat to both your oral and overall health. In these cases, we can protect your smile with a gentle tooth extraction in Covington. So, if you are struggling with dull, persistent throbbing or a sharp, stabbing pain, don’t hesitate to call us and schedule an appointment. You’re also welcome to read on to learn more about this restorative dental treatment!
Why Choose Dean Dental Care For Tooth Extractions?
- Highly Experienced and Compassionate Dentist
- Calming Sedation Options Available for Maximum Comfort
- Several Options for Replacing Extracted Teeth
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
There are only a few reasons why a tooth would need to be extracted, including:
- It’s so weakened or damaged that its function cannot be restored.
- It has a serious infection that is threatening the rest of your teeth.
- Advanced periodontal disease has permanently destroyed the tissue that holds it in place.
- A patient is about to get a new denture, but there isn’t enough room in the mouth for it.
- Wisdom teeth have become impacted, painful, or infected.
Again, there are numerous benefits of retaining your natural teeth, so we only recommend extraction when it’s absolutely necessary. In some cases, the tooth may be able to be saved with a dental crown or root canal treatment. However, if there are no other viable options, removing the problematic tooth may be the only way to eliminate the issue and restore your oral health.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
If you end up needing a tooth extraction, knowing what to expect can relieve a substantial amount of stress. The first step is always the same: we’ll apply a local anesthetic to the area to numb it. If you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed about your procedure, Dr. Dean offers calming sedation options that can help you sit back and relax while we care for your smile. Once you’re completely comfortable, we’ll carefully grasp the problematic tooth and rock it back and forth. Eventually, it will detach from its supportive structures and slip out of its socket.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Before you leave our office, we’ll give you specific instructions on how to care for your mouth during the recovery period. Generally, we recommend:
- Getting lots of rest (no extensive exercise, including running or lifting weights)
- Sticking to a diet of soft, nutritious foods
- Taking prescribed pain medication or an over-the-counter pain reliever
- Using an ice pack for 10 minutes at a time
- Rinsing your mouth out with saltwater several times a day
- Keeping your head elevated, even while you sleep
- Not smoking, spitting, or using a straw
What Are My Tooth Replacement Options?
Leaving a gap in your smile after a tooth extraction can lead to serious complications later in life. Thankfully, we offer several replacement options.
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a classic, affordable, and quick way to regain a full set of beautiful pearly whites if you’re missing one tooth or several consecutive teeth. This method involves placing dental crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap to support a lifelike restoration between them.
Dental Implant
When it comes to replacing any number of teeth, dental implants are the gold standard. A titanium post is fused with your jawbone and topped with a beautiful dental crown. This provides unmatched comfort, function, appearance, and longevity. What’s more, thanks to Dr. Dean’s advanced training, every step of the dental implant process can be performed right here in our office.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
Before you get a tooth extraction, you’ll need to confirm its price. Doing so ensures your treatment fits within your budget and doesn’t strain your finances. That said, you can only get an exact estimate by consulting our team; the cost of tooth extractions varies by patient. Once you’ve visited with us, we’ll be able to make care more affordable and walk you through your procedure’s pricing factors. For more details, please keep reading or call our office.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
Dr. Dean will closely assess the relevant tooth (or teeth) at your consultation. By doing so, he can check several factors that affect your final treatment cost. These include:
- Number of Extracted Teeth – Naturally, how many teeth we remove will affect your treatment’s price. The higher the number, the greater the cost of your care.
- Treatment Complexity – Depending on whether your extraction is simple or complex, your treatment could cost much or little. A simple extraction is often inexpensive, while a complex one can get rather costly.
- Type/Location of Tooth – Your extraction’s cost will partly depend on your tooth’s type or location. For example, removing front teeth is less costly because the work is easier.
- Tooth Replacement Options – If you get replacement teeth after extraction, your treatment cost will rise. Whether your restoration is a denture, dental bridge, or dental implant will also affect how much the price increases.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
Thankfully, dental insurance usually covers tooth extraction. Most plans consider the removal process a medically necessary service, so they’ll meet up to 50% of its price. You normally just need to meet your plan’s deductible (and/or maximum) to enjoy the benefits.
On the other hand, there are exceptions to the facts above. There’s a chance your own plan has limited extraction coverage, only covers certain teeth, etc. Therefore, please confirm your policy’s benefits before treatment; our team can even help you do so if necessary.
How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable
Even without dental insurance, a tooth extraction can be relatively affordable. The best way to ensure that is by relying on our office’s helpful payment options! With the right one, your tooth’s removal won’t “break the bank.”
A good example would be our practice’s flexible financing program. This option lets you work with CareCredit – a reputable 3rd party lender – to pay for care in monthly installments. That way, you can divide the cost of your root canal into more manageable bundles.
Removing a bad tooth shouldn’t cost you everything. To avoid that outcome, please visit us – we’ll help you finance your treatment!
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?
From preventive care to cosmetic upgrades, many patients are afraid to commit to dental treatment because they’re afraid the procedure might hurt. Fortunately, whether you need one tooth pulled or multiple, the first step is always the same: numbing your mouth.
Once the numbness wears off, some soreness and discomfort are to be expected. Following your aftercare instructions as closely as possible is essential to not only prevent infection, but also to reduce puffiness and promote healing. Should your pain worsen, or you begin to exhibit signs of an infection, such as a fever, please reach out to Dr. Dean right away.
Is There an Alternative to a Tooth Extraction?
Although tooth replacement options, such as dental implants, are extremely lifelike and durable, Dr. Dean’s first priority is always to save your natural teeth.
The answer to whether or not there’s an alternative to having your tooth extracted really depends on why Dr. Dean is recommending it be removed. For example, if it’s due to extensive decay, a root canal may be an option. If it is because of periodontal disease, root scaling and planing may help restore your oral health.
However, be aware that if Dr. Dean is recommending an extraction, these may not be viable options; you can rest assured that it is the very best way to get back your strong, healthy, and pain-free smile.
What’s the Difference Between Tooth Extractions and Wisdom Tooth Surgery?
Although both procedures involve extracting a tooth, traditional tooth extractions and wisdom tooth surgery are very different procedures. One of the biggest differences between the two is that while wisdom tooth surgery is designed to remove the third and final set of molars, tooth extractions can remove any tooth that is irreparable or causing overcrowding. Another difference is that wisdom tooth extractions are surgical procedures, which allow the tooth to be removed even if it is impacted or located below the gumline.
Can I Smoke After Getting a Tooth Extracted?
Because tobacco products like cigars, cigarettes, and even e-cigarettes can delay healing, you cannot smoke or use any of these products following your tooth extraction. In fact, it is recommended that you continue to abstain from using them for at least five days after your procedure. However, if possible, it is best to wait at least two weeks.
If you’ve had problems quitting tobacco in the past, don’t hesitate to speak to Dr. Dean. He isn’t here to pass judgment. He just wants to help you prepare for your procedure in advance and ensure that you have the best odds possible for proper healing.