Tooth Extractions – Dallas, TX
Removing Teeth That Can No Longer Be Saved
Having multiple experts in one location means that our team at HJ Dental generally has plenty of options for restoring and protecting teeth. But while tooth extraction is never our first choice, it is sometimes necessary in emergency situations, and as such we do what we can to make sure the procedure is completed quickly with minimal discomfort. If for any reason you think that one of your teeth might have to go soon, call our office immediately.
Why Choose HJ Dental for Tooth Extractions?
- Board-Certified Anesthesiologist
- Wisdom Tooth Extractions Offered
- Dental Team That Puts Comfort First
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
Permanent teeth can’t grow back once they’ve been taken out of your mouth, so the decision to remove them is not one to be made lightly. If we recommend a tooth extraction, it’s because we have determined that the procedure is the only way to keep your smile as a whole safe.
Here are some of the reasons why a tooth might have to be removed:
- It is severely decayed, broken, or weakened to the point that restorations such as dental crowns can no longer be used.
- There is an infection in the tooth that can’t be treated through other means.
- Your teeth are overly crowded together, which could be an obstacle for orthodontic treatment.
- Gum disease has badly weakened the tissues holding your teeth in place.
- You have wisdom teeth that are unable to emerge from under the gums.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
We always carry out the tooth extraction process while prioritizing the comfort of our patients. To that end, we may bring in Dr. Chris Morgan, our board-certified anesthesiologist, to help with the procedure.
There are two main types of tooth extraction:
- Simple Extraction: We’re able to perform a simple extraction on teeth that have fully erupted. We’ll rock the tooth back and forth with forceps, slowly and gently loosening it until it can be taken out of your jaw.
- Surgical Extraction: If a tooth hasn’t erupted or otherwise isn’t visible above the gumline, it will require a surgical extraction that involves making a small incision in the gums. It may not be possible to remove the entire tooth all at once, so we might have to divide it into separate pieces first.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
We’ll make sure that you’re prepared for the recovery process after your tooth extraction by giving you detailed aftercare instructions. You’ll generally need to:
- Take any painkillers that we prescribe in the directed doses. (Over-the-counter pain medication can also help.)
- Make sure that your head stays above the rest of your body even when lying down.
- Plan your diet so that it only includes soft or liquid foods.
- Refrain from doing anything too strenuous while your mouth is still healing.
- Brush and floss gently to maintain good oral hygiene without disturbing the extraction site.
There’s no need to be alarmed if you notice any side effects like light bleeding or swelling; they should go away on their own as your mouth recovers. Call us if your symptoms seem to last too long.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
While tooth extraction is always reserved as a last resort, this treatment may be the most viable solution for preserving your oral health. If your dentist has recommended removing one or some of your pearly whites, you’ll want to know how much you can expect to pay for the procedure. The only way we can determine the overall cost of your tooth extraction is with an initial consultation. Here are several things to consider before arriving at your appointment.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
After our dental staff has been able to evaluate your tooth, we can provide a more accurate price estimate. The major factors that can impact the cost of your procedure include:
- Complexity – Some patients may have a more complicated situation with their tooth, as it can be at a strange angle or require more finesse to extract. This can influence how much your treatment will cost, especially if the tooth is impacted.
- Location – The type of tooth and its location in the mouth will determine how the procedure will need to be performed as well as the overall price. Typically, removing a back tooth is more expensive compared to a front tooth.
- Quantity – Of course, if you require multiple extractions, you’ll have to pay more than if we only needed to remove one tooth.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
For the majority of dental insurance policies, tooth extractions receive coverage for at least half of the cost of the treatment. There can also be certain limits to keep in mind, such as a waiting period until the coverage kicks in. Since every patient’s plan is unique to them, you’ll need to double-check the details with your provider before moving forward with your procedure. Our team can also help you navigate the specifics of your policy if necessary.
How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable
If you don’t currently have insurance, you can use alternative options to help make your treatment manageable. Our practice offers an in-house membership plan for one low annual fee that can give you discounts of 20% off most treatments and 10% off cosmetic services. We also provide plans through third-party financiers, like CareCredit and Sunbit, that can help separate your payments into low-to-no-interest monthly installments.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
If you still have questions about tooth extractions even after reading this page, don’t worry, we have you covered! You’ll find our team’s answers to some of the most popular queries we receive on the subject below. Hopefully they help, and if there is anything else you’d like to ask about regarding this procedure, you are always invited to reach out to our team.
Does getting a tooth extraction hurt?
It doesn’t at HJ Dental! We understand that many people fear that an extraction will be extremely painful, but thanks to our team’s light touch, local anesthesia, and sedation options, most patients are able to remain comfortable throughout the treatment and barely feel anything at all. We take the time to explain everything step-by-step beforehand so particularly nervous patients know exactly what to expect as well.
How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?
In general, we recommend that a patient take the day of their procedure off to relax, and then the next three to four days are the most important period of their recovery. After that, their mouth should feel normal again after about a week. This can vary from patient to patient depending on a number of factors, and we’ll discuss all of this with you ahead of your procedure to give you a better estimate of your recovery timeline.
Will I need to miss work because of a tooth extraction?
It depends on the nature of your job. If it is very physical and involves a lot of moving around, then you may need to take a day or two off to not interfere with your mouth healing. But, if you mostly sit at a desk, you may be able to go to work the next day. In every case, however, we recommend that the patient use the day of their procedure to rest. This will ensure that the treatment area forms a strong clot to begin the healing process.
Is it better to get an extraction rather than a root canal?
Many patients with infected teeth are told they need a root canal, and because that procedure has such a bad reputation, they ask to just have the tooth removed. In almost every case, it is better to get the root canal because this allows a patient to keep their natural tooth. Modern-day root canals are NOT painful, and they also allow a patient to avoid the complications and expense of having to deal with a missing tooth resulting from an extraction.