Tooth Extractions – Altavista, VA
Extract Damaged Teeth, Preserve Your Oral Health
At Hooks Family Dentistry, our top priority is to preserve your natural teeth at all costs, which is why you can trust that we’ll never recommend extracting a tooth unless there’s no way we can repair it. In these cases, a tooth extraction in Altavista may be the saving grace for your overall oral health. After all, many worsening oral health problems, like infections, can spread if left alone. In these situations, our team can conduct a comfortable extraction to preserve the health of your smile.
Why Choose Hooks Family Dentistry for Tooth Extractions?
- Experienced Team of Dentists with a Gentle Touch
- Dental Insurance Accepted & Maximized
- Comprehensive Dentistry for the Whole Family
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
Typically, our emergency dentist recommends tooth extractions in the following situations:
- A tooth is causing you unbearable pain or discomfort.
- A tooth infection has reoccurred in an already-treated tooth.
- Severe decay has impacted a tooth beyond the ability of us to repair it with a filling.
- A tooth has been damaged or cracked, and our team cannot repair it with a dental crown.
- You want to undergo orthodontic treatment but don’t have enough room in your mouth.
- Advanced gum disease has broken down the supportive soft and hard tissues surrounding a tooth.
If you have any questions during our examination, we will be happy to answer them as well as further explain our findings, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations. We’re here to help and are always open to hearing your concerns!
The Process of Removing a Tooth
There are two ways we can remove the tooth in question: with a simple extraction or with a surgical extraction. A simple extraction is typically recommended when the tooth has broken through the gumline, allowing Dr. Hooks to gently rock it loose until it’s ready to be removed. Conversely, a surgical extraction is used when the tooth is trapped underneath. If that’s the case, she will need to create a small incision in your gums first. Then, she can remove the tooth section by section before tending to the extraction site.
Important note: In both cases, your mouth will be thoroughly numbed beforehand! So, you don’t have to worry – you won’t feel any pain as we work to remove your tooth.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
There are a few things we want to avoid following your procedure, including a dry socket. For that reason, we will provide you with aftercare instructions like:
- Using a cold compress or towel-wrapped ice pack for 10 minutes at a time
- Taking prescribed or OTC pain medication as directed
- Sticking to a liquid diet
- Not smoking, drinking through a straw, spitting, or drinking alcohol
- Keeping your head elevated
- Changing the gauze pads as needed
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
Many people experience anxiety when having a troublesome tooth removed, especially if they’re unsure how much they’ll pay for their procedure. It’s natural to want to know how much your treatment will cost, but it’s difficult to determine in advance because it depends significantly on your unique circumstances.
Once you’ve consulted with Dr. Hooks, our team will gladly provide a detailed estimate and walk you through the information before proceeding. Continue reading to learn how the total is determined, and feel free to contact us for more information!
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
You might not pay the same exact amount as someone else for your procedure because it depends on different factors, such as:
- The number of teeth requiring removal. Those having two or more teeth pulled can expect to pay more than those who only need one taken out.
- Where the tooth is located. Molars are harder to access and have more roots to contend with, which is more likely to require a steeper surgical extraction.
- The severity of your condition. If a specialist is required to assist, they must also be paid.
- The type of replacement. Restorations like dental implants, bridges, and dentures all come with their own pricing structures.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
Most dental insurance policies cover 100% of the cost of preventive care, but only about 50% of major treatments like tooth extractions once your deductible has been met. However, there may be other restrictions to be aware of, like a limited number of teeth that can be treated or a waiting period that must pass before benefits kick in.
It’s worth checking the details of your plan so you know what’s included. Please let us know if you require assistance finding the information, applying for benefits, or submitting associated paperwork. Our friendly office staff is familiar with the process and is happy to help you maximize your benefits.
How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable
Dental insurance is a great way to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for dental implants, but our team in Altavista understands that not everyone carries a policy. However, we also don’t want your budget to keep you from resilient replacement teeth that can restore your appearance while simultaneously improving your oral health.
If you’re concerned about affording your elective procedure, you’re in luck! We partner with a third-party financer, CareCredit, to offer flexible financial packages. This program allows you to divvy your total invoice into more manageable installments over a designated period that are easier on your wallet.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?
From preventive care to cosmetic procedures, many patients are apprehensive about committing to dental treatment because they’re afraid it might hurt. Fortunately, whether you’re getting one tooth extracted or multiple, the first step is always the same: numbing your mouth.
Some soreness and discomfort are to be expected after your extraction but following your aftercare instructions closely can help not just prevent infection but reduce swelling and promote healing.
Should your pain worsen or if you begin exhibiting signs of an infection such as a fever, please contact Dr. Hooks as soon as possible.
Is There an Alternative to a Tooth Extraction?
Although today’s tooth replacement options such as dental implants are extremely lifelike, Dr. Hooks will always do her best to preserve your natural teeth.
To answer whether there’s a suitable alternative to tooth extraction truly depends on the reason why Dr. Hooks is recommending pulling it. For example, if it’s due to excessive decay, then a root canal may be an option. If it is a result of periodontal disease, root scaling and planing may be able to restore your oral health. However, if Dr. Hooks has recommended extraction, chances are there are no other viable solutions.
Should a tooth extraction be necessary to restore your smile and bite, rest assured that this is the best way to get back your strong, healthy, pain-free smile.
Can I Leave the Space Empty After a Tooth Extraction?
If the tooth that’s being extracted is towards the back of the mouth, many patients think they don’t need to have it replaced. After all, if nobody can see it, why bother?
In reality, however, your teeth do so much more than create a beautiful smile. They are vital to chewing and speaking properly. In fact, even missing just one back tooth can make it difficult to chew, which can lead to indigestion and poor nutrition. Furthermore, because your tongue makes a series of distinct movements against the backs of your teeth to form words, missing a tooth toward the front of your mouth could result in a lisp.
Thus, Dr. Hooks recommends that once your mouth has finished healing you schedule a follow-up appointment to find a suitable tooth replacement option that fits your smile and budget.
What Risks Are Involved with Tooth Extractions?
The great news is that tooth extractions are considered to be extremely safe. However, as with any dental procedure comes some degree of risk. With tooth extractions, the primary risk is infection, which can spread throughout the body if it’s not handled swiftly.
Dry socket is another risk that can be painful and significantly delay the healing process. To prevent these conditions, Dr. Hooks will provide you with an extensive list of aftercare instructions as well as a few common symptoms of infection to look out for as you heal.
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