Tooth Extractions – Lincoln, NE

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

If we recommend tooth extraction, it will likely be for one of the following reasons:

• You have advanced periodontitis (gum disease), and the jaw bone has been compromised.
• Your tooth has severe decay or damage from an injury, which cannot be salvaged with a dental crown.
• You need to undergo orthodontic care, but your teeth are overcrowded.
• Your wisdom teeth are impacted, erupting at an unsafe angle, or causing an infection.
• A baby tooth has not come out naturally and is impeding the permanent tooth’s eruption.

Types of Tooth Extraction

In general, there are two kinds of extractions: simple and surgical. Some teeth, especially those in the front of the mouth, are easily accessible and require very little effort to remove. Others have more complex roots or are not yet erupted and therefore require more advanced techniques for removal. Regardless of which type of extraction you need, you can count on our team to make sure you’re relaxed and well cared for.

The Tooth Extraction Procedure

In all tooth extractions, we make sure the patient is comfortable by administering a local anesthetic and possibly some nitrous oxide sedation. Then, depending on the method required, we’ll either gently rock the tooth back and forth until it lifts out of the socket, break the tooth into smaller pieces, or surgically remove the tooth from underneath the gums’ surface.

What Happens If You Don’t Replace Missing Teeth

Some patients wonder if they can go without replacing missing teeth. Some of the time, such as in the case of orthodontic treatment, perhaps a new tooth isn’t necessary. However, by and large, you will need to have a replacement for a tooth you’ve lost. At minimum, the gap in your teeth will present a noticeable change in your smile’s appearance, but this space can also allow your teeth to shift, changing your bite and increasing your likelihood of additional tooth loss in the future. Replacing these missing teeth will help your teeth stay in their optimal positions.

Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions

Chances are that if you have a tooth that must be extracted, you’ve exhausted all the other treatment options. In some cases, it’s simply better for your smile as a whole, and for your wallet, to remove the tooth entirely. However, during your initial appointment, we will review your treatment options and their associated costs so you have all the information needed to make the best decision possible for your smile.

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Tooth Extraction Frequently Asked Questions

When preparing to undergo a tooth extraction in Lincoln, you likely have an abundance of questions. From pre-operation preparedness to the duration of the process to what you can expect in the recovery phase, it is our job at Williamsburg Dental to ensure you have the information you need to feel confident and ready for your upcoming dental procedure.  This is why we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions about tooth extractions for you to review. When completed with this page, please do not hesitate to contact our dental office with any additional questions.

Are there risks involved with a tooth extraction?

Tooth extractions are common procedures that most often result in a successful and swift recovery. However, it is a surgical procedure, which means it does come with some risks, including:

• Infection
• Temporary pain
• Potential for a dry socket for form

It’s important that you follow any pre- and post-procedure instructions we provide, as this will help to minimize the likeliness of any problems occurring during the process of removing a particular tooth. If prescribed pain medication or antibiotics, make sure to take them as instructed.

What can I expect during recovery?

Although each patient is different, you can expect the recovery process to take about a week. Another factor in how long the healing process can take is the type of removal you have performed. For simple extractions, there is minimal recovery. You may only need 1-2 days for the blood clot to heal the surgical site; however, for complex extractions, the entire process can take up to a week. Your dentist will provide you with detailed instructions regarding how to successfully recover at home. These will typically include what foods to eat/avoid, antibiotics/medications to take, level of activity that can be performed, and more.

Will dental insurance pay for my tooth extraction?

There is a good chance that your dental insurance company will pay a portion or all of your tooth extraction. This is often dependent upon whether you’ve met your deductible. For those who have, you can expect to pay much less (usually around 30-50% less). You’ll be pleased to know, however, that if your out-of-pocket expenses remain too high, our team can help identify alternative ways for you to pay the remaining balance without overstepping your budget.

Is it necessary to replace a tooth after it has been extracted?

This is dependent upon the type of tooth you’re having extracted. If you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, there is no need to replace these teeth, as they are no longer necessary and offer no benefit to your smile. If having a molar, incisors, or another type of tooth removed, you will need to discuss replacement options with a member of our team.

We are pleased to provide a variety of tooth replacement solutions. From a fixed bridge to dental implants to full and partial dentures, we can make sure your smile looks and feels good as new.