Tooth Extractions – Staten Island, NY
Sometimes Tooth Removal Is the Right Decision
Removal is not the first option Dr. G wants to consider when you have issues with a tooth, but sometimes it is the only choice. The damage may be so significant that extraction is necessary to preserve your oral and general health. When tooth extractions on Staten Island are required, our team will make sure you understand why this approach is being recommended to you and that you’re comfortable throughout the procedure. Keep reading to learn more about this emergency dental treatment or give us a call because sometimes tooth removal is the right decision!
Why Choose NU Dental Staten Island for Tooth Extractions?
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Replace Teeth with
Modern Dental Implants -
Experienced Dentist Utilizing
Advanced Technology -
Varying Strengths of Sedation
Dentistry In-House
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
At Nu Dental Staten Island , tooth extractions are only recommended if the tooth in question cannot be salvaged using a dental crown or root canal therapy. Although preserving as much of the natural tooth structure as possible is ideal, removal may be the best option for your oral health if you have:
- Extensive decay or irreparable damage to a tooth
- Severe infection that could spread
- Advanced periodontal disease or jawbone loss
- Primary tooth that hasn’t fallen out
- Impacted tooth
The Process of Removing a Tooth
The last bit of advice you want to hear from your dentist is to have a tooth pulled. However, it may surprise you to learn an extraction is not as terrifying as it sounds! There are two methods commonly used for removing a tooth: simple and surgical.
A simple extraction is done for a tooth that has fully erupted and is completely above the gumline. After our dentist numbs your mouth, they’ll grasp the tooth with dental forceps and rock it back and forth until it separates from the gum tissue.
Meanwhile, a surgical extraction is an ideal option for a tooth that isn’t fully above the gumline. This method involves making a small incision in the gums to access the tooth. Like a simple extraction, dental forceps will be used to grasp the tooth and remove it.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Following your tooth extraction, you’ll receive post-op instructions from your emergency dentist on Staten Island that you’ll need to follow diligently to make a swift and comfortable recovery. By keeping your mouth as clean as possible, you can ensure the surgical site heals properly. Here are some aftercare tips to keep in mind:
- Take prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as needed to alleviate your discomfort.
- Gently brush and floss around the surgical site to keep it clean.
- Rinse with warm salt water after 24 hours to disinfect the site.
- Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest to promote faster healing.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to minimize pain and swelling.
- Avoid drinking from a straw.
- Do not eat hard, crunchy, sticky, sour, or spicy foods for the first few days.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
If you’ve recently learned that one or more of your pearly whites needs to be removed, then it’s only natural to be curious about the cost of tooth extraction in Staten Island. Since there’s not a set fee for this type of treatment, we can’t give you a price estimate until we’ve had the chance to look at your specific circumstances. We can do this during your consultation, where we’ll also take the time to explain your financial options.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
Every patient has different needs when it comes to their tooth extractions, so the details of the procedure can vary. Multiple factors come into play when determining tooth extraction cost, such as:
- Whether the tooth needs a simple or surgical extraction.
- The number of teeth being removed.
- The location of the tooth or teeth within the mouth.
- Which option you choose to replace the tooth afterward (dental implant, bridge, denture, etc.).
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
After your deductible has been met, it’s common for dental insurance carriers to cover about 50% of the cost of tooth extractions (including wisdom tooth extractions) up until you’ve exceeded your annual maximum. However, coverage can vary for each individual policy, so check with your provider just to be sure. Our team at NU Dental Staten Island is more than happy to look over your specific plan, file your claims on your behalf, and make sure you’re getting all of the benefits you deserve. We’re in-network with a number of plans to make saving easier!
How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable
Don’t have insurance? Our practice has a simple and convenient alternative: our in-house membership plan. It gives you similar preventive coverage as traditional insurance, as well as significant discounts on most of our other services. Plus, it doesn’t come with waiting periods, deductibles, or any of the other headaches that accompany insurance. Just sign up and you can start saving right away!
Whether you have insurance or not, we can also help you break up your treatment costs into monthly payments with a CareCredit plan. With this third-party company, qualified patients can enjoy low- to no-interest financing that makes it easy to fit their dental costs into their budget.
If you’d like to learn more about how much your tooth extraction will cost and how to make it affordable, please reach out to us today. We’d love to help you enjoy a healthy smile without straining your bank account!
Tooth Extraction FAQs
The idea of having a tooth extracted can be intimidating, especially if you’re not sure what to expect from the process. Luckily, our team at NU Dental is ready to help put your anxieties to rest! Feel free to reach out to us at any time if you have a question about the tooth extraction process. For your convenience, the following FAQs provide detailed answers to some of the inquiries that we’ve heard on a regular basis.
Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?
Many people assume that the process of having a tooth extracted is especially painful, but this is not true. No matter how many teeth are being removed, your mouth will be numbed first to make the process as comfortable as possible. It’s normal to notice a little soreness after the procedure, but you can manage it by taking over-the-counter painkillers and following any aftercare instructions you’ve received.
Any pain you experience after tooth extraction should fade over time; if it seems to grow worse or is accompanied by warning signs of an infection, give our office a call right away.
Can I Leave the Space Empty After a Tooth Extraction?
While you do have the option of simply leaving the space left by an extracted tooth alone, we do not recommend doing so. Your mouth functions best with a complete set of teeth; even a single missing tooth can interfere with your ability to chew your food or speak clearly. As such, no matter how many teeth are being removed, you should have them replaced as soon as possible. Depending on your needs, we may recommend using a traditional bridge, full or partial denture, or dental implants.
How Should I Prepare for My Tooth Extraction?
We may give you specific instructions to get ready for your extraction, such as fasting for a certain amount of time before the procedure or picking up a prescription medication beforehand. Follow any instructions you’re given carefully so that you can avoid any unnecessary complications during the process.
Also, since you will likely be sedated for the procedure, you should make arrangements to have a trusted friend or family member drive you home afterward, as the medication likely won’t fully wear off for a while.
What Risks are Involved with Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction is considered a very safe routine dental procedure. However, no treatment is completely without risk. There is a chance of the extraction site being infected before it can fully heal, which is why it’s very important to keep your mouth clean during your recovery. Another possible complication is dry socket, which is when the blood clot protecting the extraction site becomes dislodged. This is very painful and can greatly slow down the healing process.
To keep these risks to a minimum, we’ll give you a list of aftercare instructions to follow. We’ll also make sure that you’re aware of the warning signs of infection so that you can call our office immediately if something goes wrong.