Tooth Extractions – Moses Lake, WA

Say Goodbye to Painful, Infected Teeth

At Moses Lake Family Dentistry, our goal is to help our patients enjoy happy, healthy, and complete smiles for decades. However, we understand that sometimes life has other plans. There are plenty of reasons why you may end up with an infected or severely damaged tooth. Fortunately, we can help you say goodbye to painful, infected teeth with tooth extractions in Moses Lake. Our team goes above and beyond to make sure this procedure is quick and comfortable, so you can get back to enjoying a pain-free smile right away. If you have an intense toothache, don’t wait to give us a call!

Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

At first, it may seem like pulling a painful or infected tooth is the easiest way to deal with the problem. However, we only recommend tooth extractions when they’re absolutely necessary. This includes situations like:

A tooth cannot be saved with a root canal or dental crown
There’s an infection in the tooth that could spread to nearby teeth
A baby tooth has become impacted or hasn’t fallen out on its own as expected
Advanced gum disease has damaged the tissue around the roots of the tooth

The Process of Removing a Tooth

Generally speaking, there are two types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. If a tooth has not fully erupted, it will likely require a surgical extraction, in which case we’ll refer you to a trusted local specialist. However, if the problematic tooth has fully emerged and is completely above the gumline, we can perform a simple extraction to address it.

On the day of your procedure, we’ll thoroughly numb your mouth with a local anesthetic. Depending on your unique situation, we may also help you relax with calming nitrous oxide sedation. Next, we’ll use special tools to grip the tooth and gently rock it back and forth. Eventually, it will naturally come away from the connective tissues and gums. Then, we’ll clean the site, give you detailed post-op instructions, and send you home to heal.

The only way to know for sure what type of tooth extraction you need, or if one is needed at all, is to come visit us for an evaluation. We’ll take a close look at your mouth above and below the gumline before making a recommendation.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

We’ll give you detailed post-op instructions before your procedure. A few of the most important things to keep in mind include:

Take your prescribed pain medication as we instruct, which will often include taking your first dose before the numbness from your procedure wears off
Make sure to keep your mouth as clean as possible to encourage faster healing
Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest, especially directly after the procedure
Manage side effects and symptoms with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs
Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, sour, and spicy foods for several days

Slight swelling, discomfort, and occasional bleeding are normal symptoms to experience after a tooth extraction. However, if they don’t seem to improve after a few days, or it feels like they’re getting worse, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us right away!

Understanding the Cost of Teeth Extractions

Tooth extractions are always used as a last resort when it comes to preserving your oral health. So, if you’ve been recommended for the treatment, then it’s likely the only viable option for saving your pearly whites. Even so, we don’t want you to be even the slightest bit in the dark about your procedure, including how much you’ll need to pay. Keep reading to learn more about the cost of tooth extractions and your methods for making the process work within your budget.

Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost

You’ll first need to visit our team for an initial consultation so that we can evaluate your oral health and determine how to perform your tooth extraction. Various factors can impact the overall price of your treatment, including:

The kind of tooth that requires extraction
Whether the tooth is at the front or back of your mouth
If you need a regular tooth removal procedure or require surgical extraction
The number of teeth that you need to have removed
Any other treatments that you need after tooth extraction
The kind of restoration or prosthetic that you’ll need to replace your missing tooth

Unless it’s your wisdom teeth, our team will develop a treatment plan to renew your smile with a tooth-replacement option. We’ll also need to consider whether you’ll need a bone graft to ensure your jawbone is adequate for supporting your restorations, which can increase the final cost of your dental treatment.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?

Tooth extractions are considered extensive and essential dental procedures, so you might expect to have a portion of your treatment covered by dental insurance. Of course, you’ll need to keep any limitations in mind, such as your annual deductible or a waiting period before you can use your benefits. Generally speaking, you’ll likely have about 50-80% of the total cost paid for by your provider. Be sure to verify the details of your plan with your insurance company before moving forward with your procedure. Our team is also here to help you navigate your policy so you can make the most of your benefits.

How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable

For those who aren’t currently insured, you’ll want to explore alternative ways to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Fortunately, we at Moses Lake Family Dental offer financing through a third-party financier known as CareCredit, which provides plans that can split the cost of dental services into low-to-no-interest monthly payments. This means you’ll be able to undergo a tooth extraction and preserve the rest of your smile while saving money.

Tooth Extractions FAQs

Your permanent teeth are strong and designed to last for a lifetime; however, due to factors both in and out of your control, there are instances when one or more of your pearly whites needs to be extracted. Here at Moses Lake Family Dentistry, we know that navigating the tooth extraction process can be confusing and raise several questions. We’ve gathered a few of the most frequently asked questions and their answers so that you can feel confident about your upcoming tooth extractions. If you have any other concerns about tooth extraction, feel free to give us a call so that we can provide you with the information and assurance you need!

Does It Hurt to Have a Tooth Extracted?

Many patients are hesitant about any type of dental work due to concerns about pain. Fortunately, whether you’re getting one tooth pulled or multiple extracted, Dr. Nick Smith’s first step will be numbing your mouth and ensuring that you’re as comfortable as possible! You might feel some slight pressure during the actual procedure, but this is nothing to be worried about. Following your appointment, it’s normal to experience some discomfort and soreness, but nothing that can’t be managed with cold compresses, over-the-counter pain relievers, and the aftercare guidelines provided by Dr. Nick Smith.

Is There an Alternative to a Tooth Extraction?

Simply put, your individual circumstances will determine if tooth extraction is the best option for you—and tooth extraction is usually only performed as a necessary, last-resort. If a tooth has sustained extensive decay but is still able to be salvaged, root canal therapy coupled with a dental crown can sometimes be utilized to save it. However, if the tooth in question is beyond the point of being saved, it will need to come out. Dr. Nick Smith can easily determine if tooth extraction is a feasible option for you after a quick emergency examination.

What’s the Recovery for Tooth Extraction Like?

After your procedure, you’ll be expected to abide by certain guidelines and restrictions while your mouth heals. These instructions are crucial for preventing infection and ensuring maximum comfort, so don’t take them as mere suggestions! It’s important to get plenty of rest, keep your mouth clean, and adhere to a soft foods diet. You’ll also need to take great care of the blood clot that forms over the now-empty socket; ending up with a painful dry socket is the last thing you want to happen! Typically, most patients begin to feel better around the 3-day mark.

Do Extracted Teeth Need to Be Replaced?

Simply put, extracted teeth usually do need to be replaced, as missing teeth can lead to a slew of other oral health issues—including additional lost teeth! Not to mention, a gap-filled smile can also negatively impact your ability to bite, chew, and speak. It’s recommended that once your mouth has healed, you should have the tooth replaced. Though it will depend on your individual circumstances, options for replacing missing teeth include dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants. All of these options are reliable and capable of rejuvenating your smile and quality of life. Dr. Nick Smith is happy to work with you to find the perfect solution for your situation!