Tooth Extractions Delray Beach
Removing Problem-Causing Teeth
While our team tries to preserve teeth at all costs, there are certain scenarios in which a tooth extraction in Delray Beach may be necessary to protect the health of your smile. If you are experiencing severe oral pain or are concerned about the health of a tooth, call our office to schedule a same-day emergency appointment. You can be sure that we will handle your care with the utmost compassion and attention to detail.
Why Choose Delray Beach Smile Design for Tooth Extractions?
- Weekend & Evening Dental Appointments Available
- Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation for Your Comfort
- Local Dentist with 20+ Years of Experience
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
We may recommend a tooth extraction in the following situations:
- A tooth has been severely damaged beyond repair. For example, it may be cracked or fractured, or it may have large spots of decay.
- Gum disease has eroded the supportive structures surrounding the tooth.
- A tooth needs to be removed in order for you to successfully undergo orthodontic treatment or receive full dentures.
- A tooth is badly infected, and removing it is the best way to prevent the infection from spreading.
- Your wisdom teeth are threatening your oral health, or they may do so in the future.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
The tooth extraction process is surprisingly easy for most patients. We start by numbing your mouth with local anesthesia. Then, we use an instrument called an elevator to lift the tooth out of its socket. Next, we grip it with forceps and rock it back and forth to break the connective tissues holding it in place. You might notice some pressure as we work, but there should be no real pain. To finish, we clean the socket and place gauze to control bleeding.
Surgical extractions are more complex. It might be necessary to create incisions in the gums or break a tooth into pieces. This is sometimes needed during the removal of wisdom teeth.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Here are some simple things you can do to support your body’s healing process after your extraction procedure:
- Take all medications as directed by our team.
- Get plenty of rest, and keep your head elevated on extra pillows.
- Eat a soft diet that requires little to no chewing.
- Keep your mouth clean, but be very gentle when you brush and floss around your extraction sites.
- Do not drink through a straw.
- Do not smoke.
- Follow all other instructions from our team, and do not hesitate to call us if you have questions or concerns.
Additionally, keep in mind that you should attend follow-up appointments. It is usually necessary to replace an extracted tooth in order to avoid future oral health complications, such as shifting teeth and additional tooth loss.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
It’s perfectly reasonable to be interested in how much a dental procedure will cost even if you know it is the best way to keep your mouth healthy and comfortable. While the team at Delray Beach Smile Design cannot provide you with a proper cost estimate for your tooth extraction until we have evaluated your oral health at our office, this guide can help you get a better idea of what to expect. Here’s a quick look at how tooth extractions are priced at our friendly dental practice.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
Several factors will probably determine most of the cost of your tooth extractions. These may include:
- The location of the tooth: The larger teeth that are located farther back in the mouth are harder to reach and more complicated to remove than the ones positioned in the front. This means back teeth are typically more expensive to extract.
- The complexity of the case: In some especially complex cases, we may have to refer our patient to a specialist who uses a different pricing structure.
- Replacement: The American Dental Association recommends replacing lost teeth as soon as possible. The team at Delray Beach Smile Design offers restorations like bridges, dentures, and dental implants, and we’ll be happy to discuss the right option for you during your consultation.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
Dental insurance plans usually pay about 50% of the cost of major procedures like tooth extractions. However, your policy may impose limitations such as a waiting period or a deductible that must be met before coverage takes effect or an annual maximum that limits how much money the policy can pay in a year. The team at our Delray Beach dental office will be happy to help you understand what your policy will pay for when we see you at our office.
How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable
We understand that some patients may need a little help making the cost of necessary tooth extractions manageable, and we want to make sure that everyone in our community can get the oral healthcare they need to be healthy. That’s why we partner with trusted third-party lenders like Cherry, Kleer, and Proceed Financing. This allows us to offer our patients flexible payment plans that can break the cost of treatment into easy monthly installments, and we’ll be happy to discuss your payment and financing options when we see you during your consultation.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
How soon can I eat after my tooth extraction?
You should wait at least an hour to eat. This is important because the gauze pads need to stay in place to slow down the healing. Not only that, but it usually takes some time for the numbing agent to wear off, and you need to regain full sensation in your mouth.
Once you do get the green light to eat, it’s best to stick to a liquid diet for the first 24 hours. Then, you can incorporate soft foods, like applesauce, plain yogurt, and cottage cheese. By the one-week mark, you should be able to resume your usual diet.
Does getting a tooth extracted hurt?
This is a very common question, especially among patients who struggle with dental anxiety. If that’s the case for you, then you’ll be happy to hear that tooth extractions in Delray Beach are virtually painless. After all, the first step of the procedure is always the same: to numb your mouth thoroughly. Plus, we will provide you with aftercare instructions to help you stay comfortable during the healing period as well.
How can I make my tooth extraction more affordable?
There are actually a few options, including:
- Dental Insurance – Our dental office in Delray Beach is proud to be in-network with several PPO plans, and we’d be happy to help with understanding and utilizing your available benefits.
- Flexible Financing – With Cherry, you don’t have to pay for the entire cost upfront. Instead, you can break it up into smaller, more manageable chunks that fit within your budget.
- Membership Plan – Our Delray Beach Smile Design Membership Plan comes with several perks, including a 20% discount on procedures completed at our practice.
If you are interested in learning more about these financial solutions, take the next step: schedule an appointment with our dentist in Delray Beach, Dr. Cornelia Dadaciu.
What are my options for replacing a missing tooth?
Remember, replacing a tooth isn’t always necessary. For instance, if we performed an extraction to make room in your mouth prior to orthodontic treatment, then the space should be left empty. However, if the tooth in question was removed due to extreme decay or damage, then we will recommend replacing it with a dental bridge or implant. During your consultation, we will discuss the benefits of each and share our recommendations so you can confidently decide how you’d like to proceed.
What can I do to speed up the healing time?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to speed up the healing time. There are, however, things you can do that will result in delayed healing, like smoking or exercising too soon. That’s why it’s so important to follow the aftercare instructions we provide, including using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time, sticking to extremely soft foods, and getting plenty of rest.