Tooth Extractions – Arlington, TX
Safe Tooth Removal
from an Expert Dentist
While tooth extractions are always considered to be a last resort for Dr. Cabansag, she’s happy to perform them if they are absolutely necessary. In some cases, a tooth needs to be removed if it puts your oral health at risk, and keeping your smile healthy is her number one priority. We’ll always take the time to walk you through the treatment process and make sure you know the right aftercare tips. If you want all of these benefits and more, call our office if you need an extraction performed!
Why Choose Encore Dentistry for Tooth Extractions?
- Cozy Office with Friendly and Caring Dentist
- Oral Conscious for Nervous or Anxious Patients
- Multiple Tooth Replacement Options Available
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
Tooth extractions are largely performed only if a tooth cannot be saved through any form of restorative dentistry. For example, if a tooth is damaged by severe decay that was caught late and a crown or root canal therapy cannot save it, we will need to extract it. There are also other reasons you might need to have your tooth pulled, including:
- An impacted tooth that’s unable to properly erupt.
- A primary tooth won’t fall off by itself.
- To allow someone to undergo orthodontic treatment
- To help the long-term success of a restoration, like dentures.
Since we only perform this procedure as a last resort, we’ll go over all of your options ahead of time before deciding on tooth extraction.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
There are typically two methods for removing a tooth: by pulling or via surgical extraction. Our team can only “pull” a tooth if it’s already fully emerged from your gum line. We’ll first numb the area with a local anesthetic and then use a special clasping tool to wiggle the tooth out. If this isn’t possible or the tooth hasn’t fully erupted, we’ll have to perform a surgical extraction. Dr. Cabansag will make a small incision in your gums to allow her to access the rest of your tooth and remove it.
To determine the necessary extraction method, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with us. We’ll evaluate your oral health, walk you through your procedure, and discuss your tooth replacement options that will help avoid future complications that come from tooth loss.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
You will be given specific aftercare instructions both before and after your appointment, which will help you remain comfortable, avoid issues, and have a speedy recovery. While every patient is different, here are several of the common measures we recommend taking after tooth extraction:
- Elevate your head when resting or sleeping.
- Get plenty of sleep to allow for improved healing.
- Rinse with salt water 24 hours after your appointment.
- Take prescribed and/or over-the-counter pain relievers as instructed.
- Use a cold compress to alleviate swelling and discomfort.
- Avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods.
- Quit using tobacco products, at least until your mouth has fully recovered.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
You’re likely to have a number of concerns when you’re told that you need to have a tooth extracted – and oftentimes, chief among them will be the potential cost of your procedure. Rest assured that you will never have to commit to any kind of treatment without knowing the price beforehand. Our team will always take the time to explain the cost of tooth extraction and the options available for fitting the procedure into your budget.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
There isn’t a set price for tooth extraction because every patient’s needs are different. The amount you pay will be influenced by several factors; here are some of the most important ones that will be discussed at your initial consultation.
- The number of teeth involved: Naturally, an extraction that only involves one tooth tends to cost less than one where multiple teeth have to be removed.
- The type and location of the tooth: Oftentimes, tooth extractions involving the back teeth have a higher price than those involving the front teeth.
- The type of extraction: Some teeth, such as those that are impacted, will need to be removed via surgery, which is more costly than a simple extraction.
- Your chosen method of tooth replacement: Extracted teeth can be replaced by bridges, dentures, or dental implants. The kind of tooth replacement you get will affect the amount you pay.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
More often than not, the answer is yes; most dental plans do indeed offer at least partial coverage for tooth extraction. Many insurance companies classify it as a major procedure, so coverage is normally around 50% or so. Of course, every policy is different, and sometimes there’s a waiting period to consider. Check with your dental insurance provider to make sure you understand your benefits before you begin the tooth extraction process.
Are you having trouble figuring out the particulars of your insurance plan? Feel free to ask us for help! One of our friendly team members will gladly walk you through your benefits and explain what your coverage will look like. And to make the process as stress-free as possible for you, we will file the paperwork for any claims that need to be made.
How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable
When you don’t have dental insurance, you may want to consider these other options for making a tooth extraction more affordable:
- In Office Membership Plan: One of the benefits of signing up for our membership plan is that you can enjoy a 30% discount on most procedures. Different plans are available depending on how many people you want to include.
- Financing: We can help you apply for a CareCredit financing plan, allowing you to pay for your treatment in smaller monthly installments. CareCredit plans have little to no interest, which makes things easier for your budget.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Removing a tooth can make any patient nervous, but here at Encore Dentistry, we can promise you that you’re in good hands.
If you’re anxious about an upcoming procedure, it’s natural to have all kinds of questions. Here are some of the answers you may be looking for.
Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?
Patients are frequently concerned about the pain associated with certain treatments, and that goes double for having teeth removed. Thankfully, every tooth extraction will begin by numbing your mouth completely, meaning that you won’t feel anything more than a mild pressure during the procedure.
Of course, after the anesthetics wear off, it’s normal to experience a little bit of discomfort. We’ll give you aftercare instructions for managing discomfort, tenderness, and swelling, so be sure to follow those as well as possible and take medications as prescribed.
What Are My Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth?
There are quite a few options for replacing a tooth that’s been extracted, and we’ll be happy to discuss which one is best for you during your consultation. If you’re curious, here are some of the most prominent examples:
- Dental bridges are great for replacing one, two, or three teeth. A porcelain restoration is sandwiched between two dental crowns that are placed onto healthy teeth, holding them in place.
- Dentures are great for people who have lost most or all of their teeth. These acrylic prosthetics can either hook onto what remaining teeth you have or adhere to the gums via suction.
- Dental implants are surgically attached to the jaw to replace any number of missing teeth. This offers them much greater strength and stability than other tooth replacement methods. Many dental implants even last over 30 years if maintained well.
How Should I Prepare for My Tooth Extraction?
As with anything, preparation is key to ensuring a comfortable and successful procedure. First of all, you should ask any questions that you have at your consultation to ensure that you know everything that you need to know.
We’ll also give you important instructions at this consultation, including telling you if you need to refrain from eating anything that morning. Finally, you should plan to have someone drive you home after the treatment and rest for the remainder of the day.
What Should I Do After My Tooth Extraction?
If you want to heal quickly after your procedure, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Get plenty of rest. Refrain from doing anything strenuous for at least the first 24 hours after surgery.
- Keep the gauze pad in place until it’s time to change it out. Change it out as needed.
- Try not to mess with the surgical wound. Be gentle when performing dental hygiene.
- Avoid using a straw, smoking, vaping, or doing anything else that involves suction. This can pull the clot out of the extraction wound, leading to an uncomfortable condition known as “dry socket.”
- Stick to a soft food diet for a few days while the wound heals.
- Follow all other instructions we give you after the procedure, and come in for follow-ups as necessary. Alert us immediately of any signs of infection, like swelling or sores.