Tooth Extractions – New Lenox, IL
Tooth Removal That Protects Your Smile
Of course, our dentists will always try to
save your teeth if they can. It’s much better to keep a natural tooth than to lose one. Still, there are times
when a pearly white can’t be salvaged. We have to perform tooth extractions for those severe cases. This
option removes your problem teeth smoothly and without pain. If you’d like, we’ll gladly explain more
about how it works; simply read on to learn the details. Otherwise, please book a consultation visit soon.
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions are Necessary
A dentist will never perform a tooth extraction lightly. This procedure is a last resort, done when there's no other choice. Dental teams would rather save your teeth with root canals or dental crowns. After all, these natural parts of your mouth are the best tools for biting, chewing, and smiling.
Given the facts above, a tooth extraction is only necessary in dire situations. We may suggest this treatment if you suffer from any of the following:
- A tooth with an inoperable cavity
- A rapidly-spreading tooth infection
- Broken teeth that can’t be put back together
- Loss of the bone needed to support a tooth
The Process of Removing a Tooth
At your consultation visit, our dentists will assess how (and whether) to extract your tooth. The procedure will be simple or complex based on your needs.
If the affected tooth is visible, we’ll perform a simple extraction. This approach removes your pearly white after numbing the problem area. To be exact, our dentists will use forceps to rock your tooth back and forth until it separates from your gums.
You’ll need a complex extraction if the tooth hasn’t fully erupted. In that case, we’ll make an incision in your gums after the treatment site is numb. Our dental team will then divide and remove the tooth in sections to reduce bone loss. Lastly, we’ll conclude treatment by sewing up the incision.
Once the extraction is over, our dentists will start planning how to replace the missing tooth. Doing so ensures you won’t suffer from long-term tooth loss.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Teeth aren’t meant to be removed, so you’ll need time to recover from your extraction. The treatment site will feel sore as it heals from the removal. Still, our team can help you through the recovery process. We’ll give you good post-op instructions to make healing easier. These include things like:
- About 24 hours after the extraction, clean the treatment site with a saltwater rinse
- Don’t drink from a straw, as its suction can dislodge your blood clot
- Avoid smoking and spitting, as these habits delay the healing process
- Try to manage your discomfort with store-bought pain relievers
- Don’t chew near the extraction site while it heals
By using the tips above, you’ll recover nicely from treatment. You can then consider some possible tooth replacements. Restoration work would restore your smile, strengthen your bite, and more.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions can be a saving grace for people who are dealing with an uncomfortable tooth, and for many of these patients, their procedure can’t come soon enough. That being the case, you might not want to get bogged down in the financial aspect of your dental care.
For that reason, we endeavor to make paying for your tooth extraction as painless as every other part of the process. We’ll give you a complete estimate for what care will cost when we meet you in person, but here’s what you should know before then.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
Determining the precise cost of a tooth extraction hinges on a thorough assessment by our dental team. Various factors contribute to the final amount, including the type and location of the tooth (or teeth) involved. Complexity plays a significant role, distinguishing between simple extractions and more intricate procedures, potentially requiring specialist intervention. Additionally, consideration must be given to post-extraction treatment, such as dental implants or bridges. Each of these variables influences the overall cost, emphasizing the necessity of personalized evaluation before determining financial commitments.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
Typically, dental insurance policies cover around 50% of tooth extraction costs, including those for wisdom teeth, post-deductible. However, coverage may be subject to limitations, such as a cap on the number of teeth or a waiting period before benefits apply. Given the variability among plans, it's prudent to consult your insurer for specifics. Our team is adept at navigating insurance intricacies and can assist you in understanding your coverage to ensure optimal financial planning.
Other Options for Making Tooth Extractions Affordable
Even if you don’t have insurance, there are still options available to you to help you afford the care you’re interested in. For one, you can join our Smile Saver Club; for a flat annual fee you can receive a substantial discount on necessary care you receive from us, as well as a host of complimentary preventive services.
We also frequently work with financing firms like CareCredit, which can be used to split the cost of your dental care across several months. If you want to learn more, give us a call and we’ll be happy to talk to you about the financial services available to you.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?
A lot of the time, patients are nervous to undergo a tooth extraction because they’re afraid of discomfort associated with the procedure. Thankfully, we can guarantee to you that the process of removing your tooth will be completely painless. We make use of powerful anesthetics that ensure your complete and total comfort throughout the duration of the procedure.
It’s common for patients to be a little bit sore in the days after the tooth is removed, but don’t worry—we’ll prescribe you any necessary pain medications and will give you aftercare instructions that can ensure your comfort.
What’s the Recovery for Tooth Extractions Like?
When you come to us for a tooth extraction, we will give you thorough instructions for what you can do to make recovery as quick and comfortable as possible. While the precise nature of these instructions will depend on the nature of your treatment, here are a few things worth keeping in mind.
- Get plenty of rest
- Take care of the emerging clot
- Refrain from using a straw, smoking, spitting excessively, or any other sucking motion that could lead to dry socket
- Keep your mouth as clean as possible, using a gentle saltwater rinse when necessary
- Use a cold compress to bring down any swelling
- Take OTC or prescribed pain relievers as necessary
While recovery times vary, the worst discomfort should fade after around three days.
Can I Leave the Space Empty After a Tooth Extraction?
Sometimes, patients think that if an extracted tooth is out of sight, replacing it isn’t all that big a deal. However, this isn’t the case. Missing even a single tooth can substantially impair your ability to eat easily, causing serious problems for your nutrition. It can also cause the surrounding teeth to move out of place in order to fill the gap, causing serious problems for the overall alignment of your teeth.
For these reasons, it’s incredibly important that you replace any tooth that you have extracted. You should use a dental implant, denture, or dental bridge depending on the nature of the tooth that you’ve had extracted.
Can I Smoke After Getting a Tooth Extracted?
Nicotine products of any kind can create serious impediments to the healing process. For one, nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning that it prevents blood flow to essential areas of the mouth. Many tobacco products involve inhaling, and any kind of suction the mouth creates can cause an outsized risk of developing dry socket.
For these reasons, dentists generally recommend that you avoid smoking for at least five days after your treatment is completed, or two weeks if you can manage it. If you’ve had trouble quitting in the past, let us know and we’ll be happy to provide you with options that might help.