Tooth Extractions – Williamsville, NY
Removing a Tooth Can Save the Rest
Obviously, keeping all of your natural teeth intact will be our top goal whenever we consider options for treating tooth decay, fractured structure, and other oral health issues. But if the damage that has already occurred is too great, or if there’s a particularly advanced infection that threatens to spread throughout the mouth, we may need to go ahead and plan a tooth extraction, which we will make sure is performed as efficiently and comfortably as possible. Call Amherst Dental Group today to schedule an appointment if you think you need tooth extractions in Williamsville, NY.
Why Choose Amherst Dental Group for Tooth Extractions?
- Dental Implants Placed In-House
- Relaxing, Gentle Sedation Offered
- Beautiful, Realistic Restorations
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
There are many justifications for removing a tooth, including:
- Tooth Decay: If tooth decay was not treated in time, it can consume the majority of the tooth or spread to other teeth or the jawbone. At some point, root canal therapy might not be sufficient to salvage the tooth, at which point removal is the only option.
- Tooth Cracks: When a crack extends below the gumline, the tooth cannot be salvaged and needs to be removed and replaced.
- Gum Disease: Over time, gum disease destroys the tissues anchoring the teeth to the gums and jaw. Loose teeth may need to be extracted. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults worldwide.
- Overcrowding: Sometimes teeth are too crowded together to be corrected with orthodontic treatment, making extraction necessary.
- Impaction: Some people develop a third set of molars in their late teenage or early adult years. If these are oriented at an angle or the mouth doesn’t have sufficient room, these teeth may need to be extracted to preserve the rest of the patient’s smile.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
The area around the tooth will be numbed so that you don’t experience any pain. The next step depends on whether a simple or surgical extraction is being performed. For a simple extraction, we use a special instrument called an elevator to rock the tooth back and forth, which loosens the tooth before we take it out with forceps. A surgical extraction, on the other hand, requires us to remove a small amount of gum tissue and bone to access the tooth in question. We may also have to divide the tooth into sections in order to remove it more efficiently.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Regardless of the type of extraction you have, recovery usually looks similar. It is imperative that a blood clot form over the site to protect the vulnerable healing tissues underneath. Without it, you could develop an infection called dry socket. As a result, you need to follow the instructions we give you before you go home to rest.
For several days, you should not be extremely active, and you need to have clean gauze on the site for a few hours following the procedure. You may take over-the-counter pain medication and hold a cold compress over your face to manage any discomfort. Eat softer foods, but do not use a straw because the force of the sucking motion can dislodge the clot. After a few days, you may try to resume a more normal diet as tolerated. Be very careful around the site when you brush and floss your teeth.
If you experience a fever or increasing pain, give our office a call immediately.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
As with any other dental treatment, you may be concerned about the cost of tooth extraction in Williamsville, but the real question is can you afford not to get one if you need it? At Amherst Dental Group, we transparently share the price of our services, but you can feel confident knowing that if we recommend this procedure, you genuinely require it to maintain oral health and to get your smile back on track. That honestly is worth almost any cost.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
A tooth extraction doesn’t always cost the same amount because not all teeth are exactly alike. For certain teeth, removal involves more effort or skill, such as for a molar or surgical extraction for wisdom teeth. In certain situations, the extraction may cost more or less than the average, but we will be open with you upfront about the anticipated price as well as the method we plan to use to remove the tooth.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
Although differences certainly exist between dental insurance coverage rates, most policies do help lessen the financial burden for tooth extractions. This procedure is considered major repair work, which typically gets about 50 percent coverage; in other words, your insurance plan will likely cut your bill in half, leaving you the other to pay out of your own pocket. If you have questions about your policy, we will do our best to explain your coverage and available benefits.
How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable
Budgets can be tight these days, but we don’t necessarily expect the entire fee to be paid upfront. If you want, you can finance the total with CareCredit, a highly trusted national financing company. This option allows you to pay for this treatment in a smaller monthly amount, instead of a larger one-time total. If you are interested in learning more, we can help you apply for low-interest financing and answer your questions.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
Does Tooth Extraction Hurt?
Even for non-surgical removals, the idea of rocking a tooth back and forth may be enough to make your cringe. Without anesthetic or sedation, a tooth extraction can be uncomfortable with pressure on your oral nerves. However, we can give you local anesthetic, even for non-surgical extractions, which means you shouldn’t feel pain throughout the procedure, so you can endure this sometimes-necessary treatment. Afterward, you’ll be instructed to take over-the-counter pain reliever as directed and apply a cold compress to your face to manage discomfort at home for a couple of days. We’ll also give you other instructions to prevent painful infections and ensure smooth recovery.
What If I Feel Nervous about My Tooth Extraction?
It’s okay if you feel anxious or nervous about your tooth extraction in Williamsville. Fortunately, we offer sedation options that can remove your worries and replace them with peace of mind. Depending on your health, level of anxiety, and other factors, you can take advantage of nitrous oxide sedation or oral conscious sedation. Either way, you shouldn’t be bothered by what’s going on around you when we need to do it to save your smile.
What Are Some Benefits of Having a Tooth Removed?
Although an extraction means the end of the line for your natural tooth, it doesn’t point to the end of your smile. At Boyles General Dentistry, we have replacement options that not only look and feel real but also encourage oral health again. A dental implant, for instance, acts like an actual root and provokes more jawbone growth. This keeps your bite strength high and makes the implant last much longer than traditional replacements. Think of your prosthetic tooth as a second chance for your confidence!
Do All Extracted Teeth Need to Be Replaced?
No, not every tooth removed must have a replacement. In instances of impacted third molars or overcrowding, the rest of your teeth will shift, allowing the proper spacing to be achieved. In other cases, however, removed teeth need to be replaced to keep your smile complete and to avoid having noticeably wide gaps between your teeth.
How Long Does Tooth Extraction Take?
The length of your extraction appointment will depend on several factors, including the number of teeth being removed as well as their location in the mouth and the type of extraction. Simple ones can take about five minutes while surgical ones can take up to 60 minutes. If you are concerned about the length, ask us to explain how to budget time for the procedure, but keep in mind that you should rest for a couple of days following a tooth extraction to allow your body to heal properly.
I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Need a Dentist for My Child I am Concerned about Bleeding Gums I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I am Unhappy with My Smile I Want a Straighter Smile I am Scared of the Dentist I am in Pain & Need Help I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed View Our Services