Tooth Extractions – Corte Madera, CA
How We Safely Remove Problem Teeth
As we grow up, our baby teeth are meant to fall out and make room for the stronger permanent teeth. While this second set of teeth is designed to last for the whole of our adult lives, that unfortunately isn’t always the case. Sometimes, a tooth becomes so irreparably decayed or damaged that removing it is the best option for your oral health. If you require tooth extractions in Corte Madera, you can trust that Dr. Julie Young will make your procedure as comfortable as possible. She’ll also provide you with tips on making a speedy recovery and how to go about replacing your extracted tooth. If one of your teeth has been bothering you, don’t hesitate to call our team at Corte Madera Dentist Julie Young DDS to learn more about how we safely remove problem teeth and preserve your smile’s health!
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
Dr. Young will always do her utmost to help patients keep their natural teeth. In some cases, however, removing a tooth makes more sense in terms of improving the patient’s oral health and function. Your dentist in Corte Madera may recommend a tooth extraction in the following situations:
- A cavity or fracture has destroyed so much of the tooth’s structure that it cannot be repaired with a filling, crown, or other restoration.
- Your teeth are too overcrowded to successfully undergo orthodontic treatment.
- You’re preparing to receive a denture.
- One of your baby teeth has not fallen out on its own.
- Advanced gum disease has loosened the teeth.
- A tooth has become impacted (stuck) beneath the gumline, rendering it unable to erupt.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
No matter the reason why your tooth needs to be extracted, rest assured that our team will help you feel comfortable every step of the way. We use the latest dental anesthetic techniques to numb your mouth, ensuring you don’t feel pain during your procedure.
If the tooth has fully erupted past the gums, then all Dr. Young needs to do is grip the tooth with a clasping tool and gently rock it back and forth until it breaks free from the connective tissue. With impacted teeth, however, we may need to take a few extra steps. For example, we might have to make a small incision in your gums to expose more of the tooth, or we may need to break the tooth into several pieces and remove them one by one.
Whatever the case may be, we’ll carefully plan your procedure beforehand and walk you through what you can expect. This way, your treatment should proceed smoothly and there should be no unpleasant surprises.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
We’ll provide you with instructions on caring for your mouth after your tooth extraction. The details may vary slightly based on your specific circumstances, but generally speaking, you should:
- Plan on taking at least two or three days off from work or school to focus on healing.
- Eat soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and applesauce.
- Take the pain medication we prescribe for you as directed.
- Don’t drink through a straw, blow your nose, or spit forcefully for the first three days.
- Avoid hot or carbonated beverages.
- Refrain from using tobacco.
- Brush and floss as normal, but don’t directly touch the extraction site.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
Completing a tooth extraction can be difficult enough, but the last thing we want is for you to feel uncertain about the costs associated with your care. Different factors can influence how much you’ll need to pay, which is why we’ll need to examine your smile first. In either case, our team will go over financing options with you ahead of time so you can focus on your aftercare.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
Until we’ve had a chance to look at the tooth in question, it can be difficult to know exactly how much the cost of your extraction will be. If you have never had issues with the tooth before or you’re uncertain about its condition, we’ll want to make absolute sure that an extraction is the best option going forward.
With that said, common factors that influence your cost include:
- The type of tooth being removed
- The location of the tooth
- The number of teeth that require removal
- The difficulty of removing the tooth (impacted teeth are more complex to remove compared to non-impacted teeth)
- Follow-up treatments (i.e. dental bridges, dental implants etc.)
Our team will break down your treatment plan with you ahead of time so you know what to expect before beginning the procedure or paying for care.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
In many cases, dental insurance covers tooth extraction at around 50% after you’ve met your deductible. While this coverage often applies to regular and wisdom teeth, there may be limits in place on how many teeth you can have removed. You may also need to fulfil a waiting period before the coverage goes into effect. Since every dental plan is unique, you’ll want to confirm with the insurance company where your coverage stands first before beginning any treatment. Our team is happy to help you with this process as well.
Other Options for Making Tooth Extractions Affordable
If you do not have dental insurance at this time, you will need to look at other options to finance your care. One solution many patients consider ahead of their procedure is CareCredit, a third-party financing service that lets you pay for treatments in smaller installments over a span of several months. In many cases, you can expect low and even zero interest on these payments, making them much easier to fit into your regular budget.
No matter how you intend to pay for treatment, our team will be ready to assist you in preparing for your tooth extraction and help you get as comfortable as possible. If you need guidance, please call our office and we’ll get you scheduled for an appointment as well as answer any questions you may have.
We encourage you to call us if you have any questions or concerns following your tooth extraction. After all, we want you to make a smooth and successful recovery so that you can get right back to smiling!
ituation is more complicated and could require surgical tooth extraction, we will work with you to find a suitable specialist to help with your dental extraction.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
If you’ve never had a tooth extraction before, the team at Corte Madera Dentist wants to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible ahead of your procedure. The last thing we want is for you to feel unsafe or uncertain about your tooth removal. We’ve answered many questions over the years and calmed many nerves, so don’t be afraid to ask us any if you have them. Below, we’ve included some of the most common ones we see as well as our detailed responses for your convenience.
Can I Leave the Space Empty After a Tooth Extraction?
After a tooth is pulled, you should keep in mind that your existing teeth will begin to shift out of place unless the space is filled. Many people tend to assume they don’t need to replace their tooth if it’s not in their visible smile. However, the long-term implications behind not replacing your teeth are far-reaching. Not only do you need all your teeth to chew food properly, but to enunciate certain words well. Even just one missing tooth can lead to problems like difficultly speaking, digestion, and poor nutrition. As a result, it is best to consider your tooth replacement options after your mouth has finished healing.
What Can I Do to Speed Up the Healing Time?
The most important thing you can do for your healing after the extraction is completed is rest. Not only does this mean getting plenty of sleep, but avoiding strenuous activities. This includes exercise and any tasks that may be required at your work (such as a warehouse job or similar occupation) for at least 24 hours after your treatment. If you don’t take it easy, your body won’t be able to heal as quickly. It’s also important that you keep your head elevated to promote healing and avoid touching the treated area with your fingers or tongue. Keep the gauze pad in place to ensure the blood clot forms. If it becomes soaked with blood, replace it. Use a cold compress to bring down any swelling that develops as well.
What Are My Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth?
There are a few options for replacing your missing tooth depending on how many you need to replace and where they are located. For example, a single missing tooth can be replaced with either a dental bridge or a dental implant. Dental bridges are made up of several crowns fused together and attach to existing teeth sitting next to the gap. Dental implants rely on a dedicated post that fuses with bone tissue to hold the crown. If you have multiple teeth removed, a partial, full, or implant denture would be a more appropriate solution. These restorations use a gum-colored base and custom-made prosthetic teeth to rebuild your smile. The decision you make will depend on your unique circumstance and our team will be happy to speak with you one-on-one before we begin your removal.
How Should I Prepare for My Tooth Extraction?
To prepare for your tooth extraction, we recommend that you:
- Ask us any questions you have about treatment, especially if they weren’t answered on our website.
- Wear comfortable clothing as you’ll be sitting in the dental chair longer than you would during a typical dental appointment.
- Follow instructions provided by our office ahead of your visit. This includes sticking to plain water the morning of your procedure.
- Try to pick up any prescriptions ahead of your treatment so you can take them soon afterwards.
- Try to have a friend or family member drive you to and from the office.
