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Tooth Extractions – Lincoln, NE
Do You Need Your Teeth Removed?
At Pioneer Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we never take the decision to remove a tooth lightly; if we have the option of saving it, we’ll do everything in our power to keep your smile intact. But if an extraction is needed for whatever reason, Drs. Rutledge, Le, and Bradley will combine advanced techniques with a necessary level of sedation to make sure tooth extractions in our Lincoln, NE office remain safe and comfortable. Call us today if you notice signs that a tooth might need to come out for your own health.
Why Choose Pioneer Periodontics & Implant Dentistry for Tooth Extractions?
- Honest, Ethical Doctors
- State-of-the-Art Tooth Replacements
- Spacious Office for Your Comfort
Reasons for Tooth Extraction
- Gum Disease: Untreated gum disease will slowly but surely destroy the bone tissue supporting your teeth. Eventually, the teeth could become loose and painful. After a certain point, extraction becomes the only option.
- Irreparable Decay: Most of the time your general dentist should be able to fill a cavity or repair a weakened tooth with a crown. Sadly, not all decay can be fixed, and in some instances the tooth needs to be removed entirely to stop the infection from spreading.
- Fractured Teeth: If a blow to your mouth causes fractures to form along the root surfaces of your teeth, they’ll become irreparable and must be removed.
The Tooth Extraction Procedure
A tooth that can be clearly seen in your mouth can be loosened with a special instrument called an elevator; we can then gently rock it back and forth with forceps until it is removed. Surgery may be necessary for teeth that either haven’t erupted or have broken at the gum line. Sometimes the tooth will need to be broken into sections instead of being extracted all at once. No matter what kind of extraction you undergo, your mouth will be numbed so that you don’t feel pain.
Tooth Replacement
Even if an extraction is needed, living with a gap in your smile has consequences. If the tooth isn’t replaced soon, those that remain may drift into the gap and wear down faster due to an unbalanced bite; also, the bone underneath the socket will start to melt away. However, if you have a dental implant placed, you can keep your smile whole and avoid long-term health issues. You can schedule a dental implant consultation at our office if you think you’ll need to have a tooth replaced in the future.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
When you need a tooth extraction to deal with a problematic tooth, the last thing you want is to have to stress about payment on top of that. To ease the anxiety associated with the entire process, we make the process of paying for care as easy as possible for our patients.
Before your procedure, here’s what you should know about what a tooth extraction as a whole is likely to cost you.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
Obviously, not every tooth is the same, which means that there are a variety of variables that may potentially affect the cost of the treatment you receive from us. The first, of course, is how many teeth will need to be removed. You also need to consider how complex the procedure itself will be, which depends on whether the tooth is decayed, broken, or impacted, among other variables.
Finally, you’ll have to think about what kind of tooth replacement you’d like once the procedure is done. Whether you get a dental bridge, denture, or a dental implant will affect what you’ll pay overall.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
Tooth extractions are major medical procedures done only on patients who need them. For that reason, most dental plans are likely to cover them at least partially.
It’s typical for insurance companies to pay around 50% of the total cost of care, though we’ll help you coordinate with your dental insurance plan in order to ensure that you’re getting all of the benefits that you can.
Other Options for Making Tooth Extractions Affordable
Even if you don’t have insurance, you don’t have to worry. We have options available for our patients that can make the treatment fit your budget.
We accept CareCredit, a third-party financier that can help to put excellent dental care within your reach. CareCredit has several-month financing terms, many of which entail little or no interest.
That being the case, you don’t have to pass up on the care that you need for financial reasons. Give us a call and we’ll talk to you about how we can put care within your reach.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
If you need to have one or more teeth removed, our team is ready to assist you. Before you request an appointment with us, however, you might want to know more about the extraction process and what to expect from it. That is why we have put together the following list of frequently asked questions. If you would like further explanation on anything you read here, or on anything related to any of our services, you are welcome to contact us directly.
What Can I Expect During My Recovery from a Tooth Extraction?
If you undergo a simple tooth extraction, you can expect to be feeling fairly normal within a few days. Recovery from a surgical extraction takes longer; it may be 7 – 10 days before you are able to resume normal your normal eating habits. Your periodontist in Lincoln will give you detailed post-procedure instructions to make your recovery go as smoothly as possible.
What Can I Eat After a Tooth Extraction?
We recommend that you stick to soft foods for at least a few days. Crunchy, hard foods could irritate your extraction site. Things like brothy soups, applesauce, and smoothies are all safe choices during your recovery. It is even okay to indulge in some ice cream (just choose a flavor that doesn’t have hard add-ins like nuts or candy). Also, keep in mind that you should abstain from alcohol as long as you are taking painkillers.
Can I Brush and Floss after a Tooth Extraction?
Oral hygiene will be as important as ever after your tooth extraction, so you should continue to brush and floss. However, you should temporarily avoid brushing the extraction site because your toothbrush could dislodge the blood clot there. You may be able to get back to your normal oral hygiene routine within three or four days.
What Type of Sedation Will Be Used for My Tooth Extraction?
If your tooth extraction in Lincoln is relatively simple and you are not nervous about your extraction, you may not need to be sedated at all. Local anesthesia may be all that is necessary to ensure your comfort. If you do require sedation, we will recommend a sedation method based on your circumstances. For simple extractions, we might use nitrous oxide because it is fairly mild. If you are undergoing surgical extractions, oral conscious sedation or IV sedation might be a better option for you.
Why Should I Choose a Periodontist for Tooth Extractions?
Periodontists have an in-depth knowledge of the gums and underlying bone structure. We approach each case with great care and with a view to promoting patients’ long-term oral health. Our expertise makes us especially qualified to handle complex, surgical extractions.