Tooth Extractions – Pea Ridge, AR
Removing Teeth That Don’t Help
While our team always strives to save teeth, sometimes that just isn't possible. A person's tooth may simply be too damaged, broken, or decayed for us to salvage. In this scenario, we often suggest that patients get a tooth extraction at our Pea Ridge practice. The treatment would protect your smile from further harm, stabilizing your oral health. If you'd like to learn more about it, please keep reading or book a consultation with us.
Why Choose Peak Dental Care for Tooth Extractions?
- Patient & Experienced Dental Team
- Multiple Tooth Replacement Options
- Advanced Dental Technology
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions are Necessary
Peak Dental Care doesn’t take tooth extraction lightly, as it’s better to keep natural teeth when possible. Our office only ever performs it as a last resort – something done when there’s no other option. Indeed, we much prefer to save teeth with dental crowns, fillings, and root canals. These other treatments preserve your natural smile’s ability to bite, chew, and grin well.
With all that said, tooth extractions are only necessary for severe cases. We only suggest and perform them for issues like:
- A decayed, unfillable tooth
- Rapidly spreading tooth infection
- Loss of bone tissue that supports a tooth
- Broken teeth that can’t be reassembled
The Process of Removing a Tooth
Dr. Baioni will assess your tooth before treatment to see if it needs removal. From there, he’ll decide whether and how to perform the extraction.
If the affected tooth is visible, we’ll perform a simple extraction. This procedure starts by numbing your mouth to ensure your care is painless. Next, our team will rock your tooth back and forth (with dental forceps) to loosen it from your bone tissue. We’ll then fully remove it from its socket and stop any bleeding with gauze.
Our team will do a complex extraction if the tooth hasn’t erupted. Unlike the other kind, it makes an incision into your gums once your mouth is numb. Our team will then further open this space, divide and remove your tooth in sections, and reduce the risk of bone loss. Afterward, we’ll conclude your care by closing the incision.
Simple or not, we’ll suggest tooth replacement options once the removal is done. (A prosthetic would ensure you don’t suffer from long-term oral issues.)
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Please use the following tips to heal after your extraction:
- Rest for at least 24 hours
- Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24-48 hours
- Eat soft foods, such as soup and yogurt
- Rinse with warm salt water after meals
- Reduce swelling with cold packs
- Take painkillers (and other prescribed medication) as directed
- Don’t spit for 24 hours after your extraction
- When lying down, prop your head up with a cushion or pillow
- Avoid smoking
- Brush as usual, but avoid the socket
If you have post-treatment questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll also help with any worries you have about your healing socket.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
If your dentist has recommended a tooth extraction, you may be curious about how much this procedure will cost. However, without the tooth or teeth being examined in person by your dentist, it is impossible to give an accurate price for the procedure. To that end, please feel free to schedule a consultation with us to go over the financial details. Prior to your appointment, feel free to take a closer look below at how we will determine your treatment cost once you’ve been evaluated.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
It can be very difficult to determine the exact cost of a tooth extraction until someone on our team has had the opportunity to assess the tooth or teeth in question. That’s because there are several different factors that could influence the total, including:
- The type and location of the tooth, and how many teeth need to be removed.
- The overall difficulty of the extraction(s), and whether a specialist will be needed to assist with the procedure. Simple extractions are very different from impacted extractions.
- The next steps involved, such as whether tooth replacement is necessary, and which type of prosthetic you require (such as a dental implant, bridge, or denture).
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
It is very common for dental insurance to cover up to 50% of the cost of a tooth extraction after your deductible has been met. This includes wisdom teeth. However, be aware that not all policies are the same and this can vary from patient to patient. There may also be limits in place that cover only a certain number of teeth, or you may have a waiting period before your coverage takes full effect. Each plan is very different, which is why it is so important to confirm your coverage with your insurance company first. At Peak Dental Care, our friendly dental insurance team will be happy to help you with this process.
Other Options for Making Tooth Extractions Affordable
In addition to welcoming dental insurance, we are also pleased to accept payment plans from our preferred third-party lender, CareCredit. These low-to-no interest loans can help make the cost of dental treatments like tooth extractions more affordable by breaking them into multiple payments that may be better suited to your budget. You can apply for financing through our website, or feel free to call us for more information.
At Peak Dental Care, we’re ready to assist you with your tooth extractions. We’re here to help you navigate the cost of treatment, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing you soon and giving you back your healthy, pain-free smile!
Tooth Extraction FAQs
Does Getting a Tooth Extraction Hurt?
Unsurprisingly, many patients are hesitant to undergo a tooth extraction in Pea Ridge because they’re worried that the procedure will be painful. Fortunately, this is not the case; our team will always take whatever steps are necessary to help you stay comfortable during your treatment. Before we start the process of removing your tooth, we will use a local anesthetic to numb your mouth. As a result, you might feel pressure during your tooth extraction, but there won’t be outright pain.
Your mouth may be somewhat sore after the procedure. Our team will give you instructions for keeping the discomfort under control until your mouth has fully healed. Be sure to call us immediately if post-surgical soreness lasts longer than expected or seems to grow worse.
Can I Leave the Space Empty After a Tooth Extraction?
Some patients choose not to have a tooth replaced after it has been extracted. However, this is not recommended. Leaving your smile incomplete could lead to the following consequences:
- You might have trouble chewing your food as thoroughly as you need to, which can result in digestive issues.
- Depending on which tooth is lost, your ability to clearly pronounce certain words might be negatively affected.
- Your remaining teeth might drift out of position, causing significant alignment issues.
It’s ultimately better for the health and function of your smile to have a missing tooth replaced as quickly as possible. Our practice offers several tooth replacement methods, including dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants; we’ll be more than happy to help you figure out which option is right for you.
What Risks are Involved with Tooth Extractions?
A tooth extraction is considered a routine dental procedure, and it’s generally seen as being very safe. It is not, however, completely without risk. While your mouth is healing, there’s a chance that an infection could develop at the extraction site. In order to avoid this outcome, you will need to be diligent about practicing excellent oral hygiene during the recovery process.
Another risk associated with tooth extractions is dry socket. This is a condition where the blood clot that forms after a tooth has been removed becomes dislodged prematurely. Dry socket can cause significant discomfort, and it can disrupt the healing process. Fortunately, our team will provide you with aftercare tips that can help you keep the risk of developing dry socket to a minimum.
Can I Smoke After Getting a Tooth Extracted?
You should plan on avoiding cigarettes and other tobacco products for up to two weeks after your tooth extraction. Tobacco can interfere with the healing process, and it can increase your risk for infection. Thus, it’s in your best interest to refrain from smoking until your mouth has fully healed. If you need help giving up cigarettes even for a short amount of time, remember that you can always talk to your dentist or your regular physician to see what they recommend.