TOOTH EXTRACTION COSTS
There are certain situations in which a tooth cannot be saved. There are also other situations when teeth emerge (especially your wisdom teeth) and their eruption does more damage than good. For these and other situations, you may need a tooth extraction.
What Is a Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth or teeth by a dentist. This may or may not involve surgery, depending on the reason for the extraction and what specific teeth need to be extracted.
Why Would I Need a Tooth Extraction?
There are a variety of reasons in which a patient may need a tooth or multiple teeth extracted. Some of these include:
- A Broken Tooth or Teeth
- Disease or Infection
- Eruption Causing Damage to Other Teeth
- Eruption Causing Crowding and Migration
- Damage Being Caused to a Patient’s Overall Oral Health
While your dentist will do everything they can to save most of your teeth, there are certain teeth that your dentist will not save—and may actively remove before they cause any damage. These may be your wisdom teeth.
Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Wisdom teeth are a set of molars that generally arrive between the ages of 17 and 25. This third set of molars are redundant, and are typically unnecessary for chewing function and the overall oral health of a patient.
While some people are at no risk to damage caused by the eruption of wisdom teeth, many patients are susceptible to damage and oral health issues. Because of this, many dentists will extract wisdom teeth as they are emerging, before they have a chance to cause any problems.
What Is the Cost of Tooth Extraction?
There are a variety of factors that contribute to the cost of tooth extraction of any form of tooth or teeth—including wisdom teeth. Baby teeth, or primary teeth as they are called, typically can be removed with topical anesthetic. Teeth that are not too broken down due to decay or disease can usually be removed in the form of a simple extraction. If a tooth is severely compromised structurally, it may need to be surgically removed.
Sometimes teeth are impacted or partially impacted in the bone and need to be removed under sedation by an oral surgeon. The increase in complexity of the case will contribute to a increase in fee for the procedure.
The Removal Process
The removal process for wisdom teeth starts with a consultation with your dentist. They will perform x-rays to see if the wisdom teeth are ready for removal, and they will walk you through the extraction process. Make sure to ask your dentist any questions that you have, and provide them with honest answers to any questions. They are asking these questions for your safety.
Speak with Your Dentist
If you notice your wisdom teeth erupting, set an appointment with your dentist for an evaluation. They will discuss with you whether you are ready for an extraction, the cost of the procedure, and what the procedure will involve.
If you're interested in talking more about tooth extraction in Mobile, Alabama, please contact West Mobile Dental Care today.
Interested in learning more about tooth extraction in general? Here's some more reading on wisdom tooth extraction.