Tooth Extractions – Belmont, MA
A Healthier Foundation For Your Smile
At EyeSmile Optometry & Dental Care of Belmont, we do our best to try to save your natural tooth, because we understand that there’s no replacement quite like it. However, there are certain situations in which it’s better for your oral health if we remove teeth that increase your risk of losing other natural teeth. In these situations, we’ll likely suggest tooth extractions in Belmont, MA.
Why Choose EyeSmile Optometry & Dental Care
of Belmont for Tooth Extractions?
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Dental Sedation
Available -
Pain-Free
Tooth Extractions - In-House Dental Implant Placement
Common Reasons for Tooth Extractions
There are several reasons that you may require a tooth extraction, including:
- The tooth is visibly damaged or decayed and can’t be repaired.
- The root of the tooth is infected and a root canal won’t cure it.
- Crowded teeth make it so that there won’t be enough room to straighten them without removing one.
- Wisdom teeth are impacted because there’s not enough space in your jawbone to allow them to healthily grow in.
- Teeth are loose as a result of gum disease.
How Tooth Extractions Work
If a portion of your tooth that needs to be removed is above the gumline, Dr. Salibian can conduct a simple extraction. First, he’ll inject a local anesthetic to numb the area so you won’t feel any pain. Using an instrument called an elevator, we will loosen the tooth until it breaks free from the socket. Then, we’ll use forceps to gently remove the tooth from your mouth.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions are often necessary to protect your oral health, but it’s important to make sure that they won’t break your budget. As such, you’ll want to confirm how much your tooth extraction will cost before you begin the procedure. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all price due to the different factors that need to be considered. Luckily, once Dr. Salibian and our team has examined your mouth, they can give you an estimate of the costs involved and go over your financial options.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
The tooth extraction process can look very different for every patient. As such, the final cost can vary significantly and is very difficult to determine without a thorough examination of your mouth in its current state. Some of the most important factors we’ll need to take into account before we give you an estimate of how much tooth extraction will cost include:
- What kind of tooth needs to be removed. Some teeth are more difficult to extract than others.
- Whether a simple or surgical extraction is required. Simple extractions are performed on fully erupted tooth; surgical extractions are needed for teeth that are trapped beneath the gums or have broken off below the gum line. If a surgical extraction is needed, we might need to refer you to a specialist.
- How many teeth need to be extracted. Obviously, getting one tooth extracted is less costly than having multiple teeth removed.
- What the next steps are. If you choose to replace the tooth with a dental implant, a bridge, or a partial denture, the cost will vary depending on which option you choose.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
More often than not, the answer is yes, dental insurance does indeed partially cover the cost of tooth extractions assuming that you’ve already met your deductible for the year. Most of the time, you can expect the coverage to be around 50%, as tooth extraction is typically considered a “major” dental procedure. Note that some insurance policies may have restrictions on their coverage for tooth extractions. They might only help pay for the removal of a certain number of teeth, or there might be a waiting period before your coverage actually takes effect.
How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable
We accept several different insurance plans, but many of our patients don’t have coverage. That’s why we also offer our Wellness Dental Access Plan. You can pay annually or monthly in exchange for steep discounts on many of our procedures. This lets you avoid many of the headaches that can come with insurance, such as deductibles. Also, we offer easy payment plans through CareCredit, a third-party financing company that lets you pay in monthly installments according to your budget. Get in touch with us to learn more about the financial options available to you when you choose our office for tooth extractions.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Since tooth extractions aren’t typically as routine as other treatments, like checkups and fillings, it’s natural for patients to have questions about this procedure. As always, our team is available to provide the specific answers you’re looking for at your initial appointment or, in some cases, over the phone. However, we know that some patients really value being able to do their research online first. For this reason, we’ve responded to a few of the most frequently asked questions about tooth extractions in Belmont right here!
Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?
Our Belmont dentist is proud to offer pain-free tooth extractions. Whether you are getting one tooth extracted or several, we will always start the procedure the same way: numbing your mouth and making sure you feel comfortable. Once you’re ready to get started, you may feel some slight pressure from our team working. If you’d feel more comfortable being sedated, we can make those accommodations as well.
In the hours and days following your appointment, you may feel some discomfort and soreness. Luckily, this isn’t anything that can’t be remedied with a cold compress or some OTC pain reliever. Just make sure to follow all of your post-op instructions to a tee. This will help ensure you have the smooth recovery experience you deserve.
Is There an Alternative to a Tooth Extraction?
The answer to this question will depend on each patient’s dental needs. For example, if a tooth has sustained extensive decay, then priority number one will be to preserve your natural tooth with a filling, dental crown, or root canal therapy. If the tooth in question has been compromised to the point where that is no longer feasible, then a tooth extraction is the only option. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns or simply want to review all of your available options, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist during your appointment! Remember, they are there to help you make an informed decision on what is best for your oral health.
What’s the Recovery for Tooth Extractions Like?
Once the procedure is complete, you’ll be given a list of aftercare instructions. These are designed to help you prevent infection and heal comfortably. Some of the most important best practices are getting plenty of rest, keeping your mouth clean, sticking to soft foods, not spitting, and refraining from tobacco use. To keep discomfort at bay, you can place a cold compress against the outside of your cheek for 10 minutes at a time and take OTC pain relievers as instructed. Around the 3-day mark, you should begin to feel better.
What Are My Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth?
Filling the gap in your smile following a tooth extraction is essential for both the look and function of your smile. For this reason, we will recommend a dental bridge, dentures, or dental implants. While dental bridges can replace between one and 4 teeth, they need to be in a single row for this tooth-replacement solution. Partial and full dentures are a tried-and-true solution that can address moderate or severe tooth loss, but unfortunately cannot stimulate your jawbone to prevent bone loss. Fortunately, dental implants can effectively replace one, a few, or an entire arch of teeth. Since the implant posts are inserted directly into the jawbone, they are incredibly lifelike, extremely stable, and able to last for 20+ years with proper care.
Can I Smoke After Getting a Tooth Extracted?
It’s best to avoid cigarettes and other tobacco products altogether after you have had a tooth removed. Otherwise, they may interfere with the healing process, and they could even cause a painful dry socket.
To stay on the safe side, you should refrain from using tobacco products for five days at the absolute minimum following your tooth extraction. Many dentists recommend giving up smoking for at least two weeks if possible. Be sure to talk to your regular physician; they can help you figure out the best way to stop smoking long enough for your mouth to heal properly.
How Long After a Tooth Extraction Can I Get a Denture?
Sometimes, a tooth extraction is simply a preliminary treatment to getting full dentures. The exact amount of time between the extraction procedure and the delivery of the final prosthesis can vary, but it’s typically around six to eight weeks.
The reason for the delay is that your dentist will need to wait for your mouth to sufficiently heal before taking impressions. This will ensure that said impressions are as accurate as possible, making it easier to correctly determine what size and shape the final dentures should be. Once the prosthesis is complete and has been sent back to your dentist’s office, a final appointment will be held to make sure that it fits properly inside your mouth.
How Should I Prepare for My Tooth Extraction?
Preparing properly for a tooth extraction is essential for ensuring that the procedure goes as smoothly as possible. If you have any questions, such as “What should I bring to my appointment?” or “What can I eat the morning of my appointment?”, let your dentist know. Additionally, be sure to closely follow any pre-operative instructions that our team gives you, such as picking up any medicines you were prescribed.
You may choose to have oral conscious sedation administered during your tooth extraction in order to keep yourself calm and comfortable. Since the effects of the sedative will linger for a while even after your treatment is complete, you should have a trusted friend or family member drive you home after your appointment.
Can I Leave the Space Empty After a Tooth Extraction?
Technically, yes; after a tooth has been removed, you can choose to leave the space where it used to be empty. However, this will make it more difficult for you to speak and chew properly. It can also lead to additional oral health issues, such as your remaining teeth drifting out of place. As such, it’s better to have the tooth replaced as soon as you can, and our team will be more than happy to walk you through your options for doing so.
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