Dr. Jorgenson and his staff at Advanced Dental Care understand the fear that patients may feel when they find out that they must have a tooth extracted. We're patients too sometimes, and even though we understand the procedure and know we are in the best hands, the anticipation can still be unsettling. So, trust us when we say that this procedure is only performed when absolutely necessary and with the greatest attention to your comfort and care. If you want to learn more about this emergency dental treatment, feel free to read on or get in touch with us to schedule an appointment.
Right now, you might be wondering, “When is tooth extraction necessary?” There are several circumstances that may require us to pull one or more of your teeth, including:
The process of removing a tooth looks a bit different depending on whether or not it has broken through the gumline. If it has, then Dr. Jorgenson will use special tools to grip the tooth before rocking it loose. If it hasn’t, then he will need to first create a small incision in your gums to access the tooth. Then, he can focus on removing it section by section before tending to the extraction site.
Important note: The first step of the treatment process is always the same: numbing your mouth so you don’t feel any pain as we work to remove your tooth.
Even if you understand the rationale behind tooth extraction, you may still need a bit of help assuaging your fears. In that case, Dr. Jorgenson can provide oral conscious sedation in addition to local anesthetics. With oral conscious sedation, you take a small amount of a sedative to help you relax. Some of our sedation patients think they’ve fallen asleep during their procedure. In fact, you remain awake, but may not be able to remember your procedure once finished. Oral conscious sedation requires you to have a friend or family member accompany you to your appointment and stay to drive you home.
Following your procedure, there are a few things you need to do (as well as some things you need to avoid) to heal properly. Here are a few examples:
If you have a severe toothache or are struggling to perform basic tasks, like eating and speaking, because of a troublesome tooth, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you can afford to treat it. As a result, many patients want to know in advance what they might expect to pay for their procedure, but the amount due depends significantly on their individual circumstances.
Continue reading to learn more about how the rate is determined, and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions.
You might not pay the same price as someone else to have your problematic tooth removed because it depends significantly on several factors unique to your situation, such as:
Many policies cover about fifty percent of the cost of removing damaged teeth, but there are often restrictions that must be met before benefits kick in, like an annual deductible that applies or a waiting period that must pass. Plus, there’s no guarantee that your procedure is included in your policy, so it’s worth verifying the details of your plan.
Please let us know if you’re struggling to find the necessary information or need help with claims or paperwork. Our friendly team is familiar with various insurance providers and is happy to help you maximize your available benefits.
We understand that not everyone carries dental insurance, but we also believe that all patients deserve access to smile-saving procedures regardless of their finances. If you’re concerned about affording your extraction, you might benefit from one of the following options:
For more information about tooth extractions or to schedule an appointment, contact our office today. Advanced Dental Care proudly serves smiles daily throughout Costa Mesa, Irvine, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and the surrounding communities.
The idea of getting a tooth removed can be an intimidating prospect, but don’t worry — our team will be with you through every step of the process. To assist you as you prepare for the road ahead, we have put together the following list of frequently asked questions about tooth extractions in Costa Mesa. If you don’t see your specific concerns addressed, give us a call so we can personally help you.
Our team does everything we can to make our patients comfortable during procedures. To that end, we always ensure that a patient’s mouth is numb before we remove a tooth. We also offer sedation for particularly nervous or sensitive individuals.
Once any anesthesia or sedation wear off, you can expect some soreness and swelling at the extraction site. If you carefully follow our post-treatment instructions, though, you should enjoy a smooth recovery. For example, you should get plenty of rest, avoid hard foods, and take pain medications as necessary.
In some cases, root canal therapy can preserve a badly damaged tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted. However, in other instances, extraction really is the best course of action. It can remove a painful tooth, help to end an infection, and open the way for future treatments, such as dental implants, dentures, or orthodontia. Our team tries to recommend tooth removal only as a last resort.
Some patients reason that they do not need to replace a lost tooth, particularly if it is toward the back of the mouth. However, aesthetics is only one reason why it is wise to replace lost dentition. For example, the jawbone tends to deteriorate after a tooth goes missing, but a dental implant can prevent that issue. Another problem with missing teeth is dental drift, wherein teeth near an empty space tend to shift out of their proper places. A crown or implant can serve as a place holder and keep your smile exactly where it belongs.
Here are some practical steps you can take to prepare for your extraction:
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