Tooth Extractions – Belmont, NH 

Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost

Some factors that can have a bearing on the cost of tooth extractions include:

• The specific tooth that needs to be removed. Some teeth are more challenging to remove than others. For example, wisdom teeth are typically more difficult to access and extract than teeth toward the front of the mouth. Logically, this can lead to variations in fees.
• The number of teeth that must be removed. It stands to reason that removing multiple teeth costs more than removing just one.
• The overall complexity of the case. We can perform most tooth extractions right here in our office. In some cases, though, we refer patients to an outside specialist who has a pricing structure that is different from our own.
• Additional care. Sedation during your procedure, as well as tooth replacement afterward, can affect the total cost of your care. Different types of sedation and tooth replacement come at varying price points.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?

It is quite common for dental insurance to cover tooth extractions. Simple extractions are often classed as a minor treatment, meaning that up to 80% of their cost might be covered. Surgical extractions may be around 50% covered. You will need to check the details of your unique policy to learn how it applies to your situation. Our team accepts many forms of insurance and will be happy to help you navigate your benefits and use them in an advantageous way.

Other Options for Making Tooth Extractions Affordable

A few provisions that may make it easier for you to afford tooth extractions include:

• Financing. Most patients are eligible for low-interest financing through CareCredit, a third-party lender. Our team can walk you through the application process. You may be able to choose a monthly payment amount that fits your budget.
• Essential Dental Plan. This discount plan is geared toward patients without dental insurance. It provides reduced fees on virtually all the services available at the Center for Contemporary Dentistry.

Our team is ready to assist you with tooth extractions, including their financial side. Get in touch with us today to learn more about this procedure and its cost. We look forward to serving you!

Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?

We always strive to make patients as comfortable as possible during extractions. To that end, we use plenty of local anesthesia, which numbs the mouth and blocks pain signals. However, it does not prevent patients from feeling pressure, so you are likely to still feel something while our team is working to remove your tooth.

After the numbing agent wears off, you can expect your mouth to be sore for several days. We will give you detailed posttreatment instructions to facilitate a smooth and easy recovery. For example, we may advise you to take pain medications and get plenty of rest.

What Is the Difference Between Tooth Extractions and Wisdom Tooth Surgery?

Wisdom tooth surgery is essentially a complex type of tooth extraction. Wisdom teeth are often stuck beneath the gumline (impacted), so extracting them requires that incisions be made in the gums. We may also have to break the teeth into pieces. In contrast, a basic tooth extraction simply requires that we grip the tooth and gently pull it out of place.

What Are My Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth?

There are multiple ways to replace missing teeth, including:

• Dental implants. A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root. After it is surgically implanted in the jawbone, it can provide a strong base of support for an artificial tooth. Dental implants are incredibly sturdy and are considered to be the gold standard of tooth replacement.
• A fixed bridge. A fixed bridge consists of two crowns that support an artificial tooth between them. Bridges are durable and strong, but they do require that the teeth beneath them undergo significant modifications.
• Dentures are removable prosthetics that can replace a few teeth or an entire arch of teeth.

The best type of tooth replacement for you depends on your unique circumstances. Our team will help you compare your options so you can make a well-informed decision about how to move forward.

Can I Leave the Space Empty After a Tooth Extraction?

If you get a wisdom tooth or supernumerary (extra) tooth removed, it is fine not to replace it. In almost all other circumstances, however, tooth replacement is strongly recommended. Failing to replace a lost tooth could cause something known as dental drift, which is when the remaining natural teeth start to shift out of place. The tooth above an empty space could even over-erupt to the point where it falls out altogether.

Additionally, tooth loss causes the jawbone to deteriorate.  A dental implant can prevent this issue as well as the other problems associated with missing teeth.

Is There an Alternative to a Tooth Extraction?

We understand that many of our patients are reluctant to consent to a tooth extraction. After all, even though modern tooth replacement options are excellent, they still fall short of the real thing.

However, if we recommend an extraction, we truly believe it is the best option. We have likely already considered alternative treatments, such as a root canal therapy and other restorative services, and deemed them to be inadequate for the situation at hand.

You can commit to extractions with confidence that the procedure will ultimately benefit your oral health and open the way for you to regain a complete and healthy smile.

Can I Smoke After Getting a Tooth Extracted?

It is not wise to smoke after a tooth extraction. The nicotine and other ingredients in cigars, cigarettes, and even e-cigarettes can slow down your body’s healing process. Plus, there is a chance that smoking could cause dry socket, a painful complication wherein the blood clot at an extraction site fails to form (or gets dislodged prematurely).

You should plan to abstain from smoking for at least five days after your procedure. It would be better, though, to avoid smoking for two weeks. If you have struggled to quit in the past, talk to our team about your options. We want to help you prepare for a smooth recovery.

What Can I Do to Speed Up the Healing Time?

To speed up your recovery after an extraction, you should:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Avoid touching your extraction site with your tongue or fingers.
• Abstain from things that could irritate your extraction site, such as acidic foots, hot foods, crunchy foods, and mouthwash.
• Use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce swelling.
• Take only the pain medications recommended by your dentist. (Some pain relievers can thin the blood and actually slow down healing.)

How Should I Prepare for My Tooth Extraction?

Here are a few practical steps you can take prior to your extraction appointment:

• Ask questions! We want you to be well-informed about the road ahead of you. Do not hesitate to speak up about any concerns you have.
• Follow any pre-operative instructions that we give to you. For example, if you will be sedated, you might need to fast for a while before your appointment. You might also need to pick up one or more prescriptions from the local pharmacy.
• Arrange for a ride. You should have a trusted adult ready to drive you to and from your appointment, especially if you will be under the influence of sedatives.