Tooth Extractions - Astoria, NY

Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost

Tooth extractions can look a bit different from patient to patient depending on their dental needs. As a result, the cost of tooth extractions in Astoria varies! To determine a price, our team will take the following into account:

• How many teeth need to be extracted
• The type and location of your tooth
• The difficulty of the extraction (simple vs. impacted extractions)
• The tooth-replacement option you choose (i.e., dental bridge, denture, dental implant)

Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?

While every plan is different, many dental insurance providers cover roughly 50% of the cost of tooth extractions after your deductible has been met. Naturally, you’ll want to review the fine print on your policy beforehand and take note of exceptions, like waiting periods. If you’re having a hard time understanding your benefits, don’t hesitate to let us know so we can help! We’re proud to be in-network with a number of popular providers, including Metlife PPO, Cigna PPO, Humana, and many others.

How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable

Don’t have dental insurance? Don’t let that stop you from getting the essential dental care you need! Our team is proud to offer another financial solution: CareCredit. In short, this third-party financier allows you to space out your payments instead of having to pay it all in one lump sum. Even better, there are little-to-no interest options to keep your out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum. If you’d like to learn more about this affordable payment option, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.

Does getting a tooth extracted hurt?

The idea of getting a tooth extracted can be daunting if you’ve never had a dental procedure like it before. Our team is very gentle and works quickly and effectively to make the extraction as comfortable as possible. If necessary, we’ll also administer a local anesthetic to the area to numb it beforehand so you don’t feel a thing.

Is there an alternative to a tooth extraction?

If you have a tooth infection, we don’t always have to extract your pearly white. In some cases, we can treat your tooth with root canal therapy. This is when we’ll go in and remove the infected pulp within the inner chamber of your tooth. After sanitizing it, we’ll rebuild the structure using a substance called gutta percha and top the treated tooth off with a dental crown for added support and protection. However, if the infection has killed the tooth, we’ll likely need to extract it. Fortunately, we offer several quality tooth replacement solutions, like dental implants.

What’s it like recovering from a tooth extraction?

Recovering from a tooth extraction takes around three days, but can vary from patient to patient. You’ll need to take at least a day or two off of work to make sure you get plenty of rest and have a smooth recovery. Here are some practices to keep in mind to heal quickly:

• Don’t drink from a straw
• Maintain a soft diet
• Avoid physical activity
• Keep your mouth clean by rinsing with salt water
• Begin brushing and flossing your teeth whenever your dentist says it’s okay to
• Avoid smoking
• Use a cold compress for swelling
• Take any prescribed medications as directed

Can I leave the space empty after a tooth extraction?

While it’s not required that you immediately replace a tooth after having it extracted, our team highly recommends it. By filling the gap in your smile, you can keep your surrounding teeth from drifting out of place to fill the space and make brushing and flossing easier.

We offer several custom-tailored replacement solutions, like dental implants, to restore the function and appearance of your smile so it feels as though you’ve never had an extraction. If you have any questions about tooth replacement options, we’d be happy to answer them!

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Millions of years ago, early man had a rough diet of seeds, nuts, raw meats, and tough plants. It’s speculated that, over time, these additional molars developed to help grind and chew. However, as cooking and food preparation evolved, these extra teeth became unnecessary. However, like your appendix or tailbone, these vestigial molars stuck around.

Today, most people’s jaws are smaller than those of our ancestors, leaving little room for wisdom teeth to grow properly. This often leads to impaction, crowding, or infection, which is why they frequently need to be removed.

What’s the Best Age to Get Wisdom Teeth Removed?

While you can certainly have your wisdom teeth removed at any time, the ideal age is typically between 16 and 25 years old. This is because, during this time, the roots are still developing, making the procedure and recovery easier.  Thus, the longer you wait, the greater the chance for impaction, infection, and crowding that could complicate the procedure.

At ED Family Dental, we’ll check your wisdom teeth at every checkup and, if needed, refer you to a trusted oral surgeon in the area for expert care. Our goal is to help you achieve a healthy and comfortable smile so you can enjoy life to the fullest.

 

What Can I Eat After Wisdom Tooth Surgery?

After wisdom tooth removal, it’s best to plan out a menu full of soft, easy-to-eat foods. By sticking to these criteria and grabbing what you need ahead of time, you’ll have a smooth recovery from the moment you get home from the procedure. Some good options include:

• Smoothies
• Mashed potatoes
• Yogurt
• Scrambled eggs
• Broth-based soups (lukewarm, not hot)
• Applesauce

As a rule, try to avoid hard, crunchy, spicy, or sticky snacks that could irritate your surgical sites. Also, stay away from straws and carbonated drinks, as they can easily dislodge the healing blood clots at the surgical sites. At our Astoria dental office, we’ll provide you with detailed aftercare instructions, but if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us!