Tooth Extractions – Kent, WA

Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

A tooth extraction should never be your first choice. Even if a tooth is damaged or decayed, it can often be saved with the right treatment. A full set of natural teeth is ideal for your oral health.

Unfortunately, though, there are a number of situations where tooth extraction is the only feasible option remaining. For example, a tooth that is severely infected or too badly damaged to fix will typically need to be removed. Additionally, we may need to take out teeth that have come loose due to advanced gum disease.

The Process of Removing a Tooth

The decision to remove a tooth is one that requires careful consideration on our part. We’ll perform a detailed examination of the tooth (which might include taking X-rays if need be) to ensure that we understand the nature of the problem. An extraction will only be suggested if we find that saving the tooth is not an option.

Tooth extractions can fall into one of two categories:

• Simple Extractions: A simple extraction is the removal of a tooth that has completely emerged from beneath the gums and is fully visible in your mouth. Special instruments will be used to gently loosen the tooth until it can be removed.
• Surgical Extractions: A surgical extraction is performed on teeth that have been unable to fully erupt. The procedure will typically involve removing a small amount of gum and bone tissue to allow us to access the tooth.

Rest assured that you shouldn’t experience any discomfort during the extraction process; our team will use a local anesthetic to numb your mouth first.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Do you have a firm grasp on what you need to do to take care of your mouth after your tooth extraction? Here are some important aftercare steps you’ll need to follow:

• If you are prescribed any sort of medication, take it according to the provided instructions.
• Keep your head elevated while you’re asleep.
• Plan your diet carefully. Eat plenty of soft or liquid foods while avoiding hard or crunchy foods.
• Don’t drink any beverages through a straw; doing so may disturb the blood clot that has formed at the extraction site, potentially resulting in a dry socket that slows down the healing process.

Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions

It’s natural to have concerns about the amount that you’ll need to pay for a tooth extraction, which is why we want to make sure that you have all the information you need before you agree to the procedure. We’ll go over the factors that influence cost with you so that you can set accurate expectations. Here’s a quick look at the basics that you will need to keep in mind.

Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost

The most important thing to remember is that the tooth extraction process is not exactly the same for every patient. There are several variables that could affect the overall cost, such as:

• Tooth Location: Extractions that involve the back teeth tend to cost more due to factors that can make the removal process more difficult (such as being located in an area of the jaw where the bone is thicker).
• Number of Teeth: The more teeth you need to have extracted, the more you can expect to pay.
• Type of Extraction: Since a surgical extraction is more complex than a simple extraction, it normally comes with a higher price tag.
• Follow-Up: If you plan on having your tooth replaced after the extraction process, then you will need to make room in your budget for a dental bridge, a denture, or a dental implant.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?

We accept both in-network and out-of-network dental insurance plans, and we’re always happy to help ensure that you’re able to save as much money as possible by showing you how to maximize your benefits. If you let us know what plan you have, we can review the details with you and help you figure out what coverage is available for tooth extractions.

Most plans will indeed help pay for tooth extractions, but the details can vary. Coverage is usually around half of the cost of the procedure. However, you will usually need to meet your deductible for the year before your benefits kick in. On top of that, if you just signed up for a new dental insurance plan, there could be a waiting period before you can use your coverage for certain procedures. It may help to call your dental insurance provider if you have any questions about your plan.

How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable

Even if you don’t have a dental insurance plan to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for a tooth extraction, you can still apply for financing. Why stress out about paying the entire cost of the procedure all at once when you can pay in smaller monthly installments that are more convenient for your bank account? On top of that, many financing plans have low interest or even no interest. Feel free to speak to our team members if you would like more information about financing and how it works.