Tooth Extractions – Millersville, MD
Providing Safe and Comfortable Tooth Removal
At Transcendent Smiles, our goal is and always will be to save teeth first, not remove them, whenever possible. No dental restoration, no matter how high-quality, can replace the real thing, which is why we always encourage regular preventive care for our patients. However, there are instances where tooth extractions from our Millersville, MD dentist are the only option for protecting your oral health going forward. If this ends up being the case, we’ll always explain why in great detail and go over every step of treatment so you can be prepared.
Why Choose Transcendent Smiles for Tooth Extractions?
- Dental Implant Placement Available In-House
- Expert Care from Trained Periodontist
- Calming Sedation Dentistry for Nervous Patients
When is a Tooth Extraction Necessary?
Tooth removal is always seen as a last resort. However, there are many instances where it’s the best treatment to protect your smile and oral health. For example, if a tooth is severely damaged by decay and cannot be restored with a dental crown, removing it works to stop discomfort and prevent the spread of decay to other neighboring teeth. In other cases, a tooth damaged by injury may be too fractured to save, especially if the damage reached the root. In rarer cases, teeth may need removal to make room for orthodontics.
What Should I Expect During a Tooth Extraction?
The way we approach tooth removal depends on the condition your tooth is in. For example, if the tooth is easily visible, we only need to gently rock it back and forth with a dental elevator to remove it from the periodontal ligament holding it in place. Alternatively, teeth underneath gum tissue will require a small incision before removal. The tooth may also need to be broken into smaller pieces and removed that way, rather than all in one piece. Prior to treatment, we always ensure local anesthesia has fully numbed the treatment area and that your comfort needs are met.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Before you leave our practice, we will provide you with specific aftercare instructions to help you remain comfortable and avoid complications while you heal. Everyone’s case is a little bit different, but here are some of the steps that you can expect:
- Rinse with saltwater the day after your procedure
- Refrain from using tobacco products until the area has healed
- Keep your head elevated while sleeping
- Get plenty of rest to promote healing
- Take over-the-counter and prescribed medication as directed
- Apply a cold compress to reduce inflammation and discomfort
- Stick to a soft-food diet for several days following your procedure
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
No one wants to get their tooth extracted, but sometimes one is necessary to preserve the health of the rest of your mouth. One concern you might have about your upcoming tooth extraction is the cost. We won’t be able to determine how much your procedure will be until you see us in person. In the meantime, here are some things for you to keep in mind.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
Several different factors are used to determine the cost of your tooth extraction. Here are some of the most prominent ones:
- Number of Teeth: If you need to have multiple teeth extracted, the cost will be higher than a single tooth extraction.
- Complexity: Depending on where your tooth is located in the mouth and there or not it is impacted, the cost will vary. Some extractions are much easier and quicker than others.
- Tooth-Replacement: If you need to replace your missing tooth with a dental implant or another tooth replacement option, you should consider the cost of this as well.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
The majority of dental insurance plans partially cover the cost of an extracted tooth at 50% after your deductible has been met. However, there could be limits in place or a waiting period before the coverage kicks in. Every plan is unique, so it is best to confirm this with your dental insurance company first so that you don’t run into any surprises. Our team would also be happy to help you with this process.
Other Options for Making Tooth Extractions Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you are completely out of luck. With our dental membership plan, you can save on treatments completed at our practice. We can also offer an in-house financing plan to split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments. This way, you can get the dental care you need without stressing over finances.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Does Tooth Extraction Hurt?
During the extraction procedure itself, you shouldn’t feel anything. To help you relax, we even offer sedation, so you can be completely at ease while we remove the tooth. After you get home, you may feel some discomfort as the sedation and anesthetic wear off; however, it can be managed with over-the-counter pain reliever. You can also put a cold compress on your face to reduce swelling and mild pain. If you continue to feel pain after a week or the pain becomes progressively worse, you need to contact our office because you could have an infection.
What Should I Do After Tooth Extraction?
As soon as you get home from your tooth extraction, you’ll need to rest for a day or two and avoid strenuous activities for several days. Keep clean gauze on the site by switching it as needed. It’s essential that you allow a blood clot to form on the site because it protects the sensitive tissue underneath. If the clot becomes displaced, you could experience a painful infection called dry socket. As a result, it is a good idea for you to avoid using a straw or smoking for at least 48 hours following extraction. Soft foods are recommended for several days afterward as well.
Why Should I Replace Lost Teeth?
Although there are certain exceptions (e.g., a tooth is removed for orthodontic purposes), most of the time, when a tooth is extracted, it should be replaced. Not only does a hole in your smile alter your appearance and confidence, but it can also lead to other unpleasant outcomes. For instance, your remaining teeth can shift out of alignment, which can impact your ability to bite and chew your food. Your teeth can wear down prematurely, potentially resulting in additional tooth loss. If you have a tooth removed, you should seriously consider having it replaced to preserve the rest of your smile.
What Are My Tooth Replacement Options?
Your viable options for tooth replacement will greatly depend on your situation. For a single missing tooth, you may choose between a dental implant or bridge. Multiple missing teeth can be replaced with various solutions based on the location and number of teeth and other factors. When you’ve had sufficient time to heal, we can then talk about your replacement options, the advantages of each, and which one would best suite your smile.
What Can I Do to Speed Up the Healing Time?
Truly, the best thing you can do is follow the aftercare instructions we provide you. That starts with using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time and extends to avoiding strenuous exercise. We know this can be difficult if you have a busy schedule or you like exercising daily, but these measures are in place to help alleviate inflammation and promote healing. So, it’s very important that you don’t deviate from them.
How Should I Prepare for My Tooth Extraction?
There are actually a few steps we recommend taking prior to your tooth extraction in Millersville, starting with bringing any questions you have to our team. That way, we can provide answers, ease concerns, and help make the entire process smooth and seamless.
Additionally, you should purchase anything that you need for the recovery period (i.e., cold compresses, OTC pain medication, soft foods), and arrange for an adult that you know and trust to drive you to and from our office. As for the morning of, choose something comfortable to wear, opt for glasses instead of contacts, and arrive a few minutes early to your appointment so you don’t feel rushed or stressed.
How Soon Can I Eat After My Tooth Extraction?
You should wait until the numbing agent has completely worn off. Usually, this takes a few hours. Once you’ve regained full sensation in your mouth, you can eat, but you need to stick to a liquid diet (without using a straw) for the first 24 hours. After that, you can incorporate plain yogurt, pudding, applesauce, and other extremely soft foods into your diet.
Can I Smoke After Getting a Tooth Extracted?
You need to avoid all tobacco products for at least five days following the procedure. This is important because cigars, cigarettes, and even e-cigarettes can delay healing. If you’re concerned because you’ve had trouble quitting in the past, don’t hesitate to talk to our emergency dentist in Millersville! That way, they can help you prepare in advance and set you up for success.
How Can I Make The Cost of My Tooth Extraction More Affordable?
There are actually three different ways you can make the cost of the emergency dental care that you need more affordable:
- Dental Insurance – Typically, dental insurance providers cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of essential restorative care. Since we are a dental insurance-friendly practice that is in-network with United Concordia, we can help you utilize any available benefits that you have, too!
- Flexible Financing – Don’t have dental insurance? Don’t let that stop you from getting the dental care that you need! You can break up the total cost of your treatment plan into smaller, more manageable installments over the course of several months.
- In-House Savings Plan – Our adult plan comes with several cost-saving benefits, including one emergency exam and 10% off all restorative treatments. Plus, you won’t have to worry about waiting periods and other restrictions getting in the way of your savings!