Tooth Extractions – Chula Vista, CA
Ensuring Your Tooth Removal is Safe and Comfortable
While Village Walk Dental wants to do everything possible to protect, restore, and save your natural teeth, we understand that there are some cases where removal is the best treatment option moving forward. If this is the case, we’ll make sure you understand why we recommend tooth removal, what to expect from treatment, and how to make your recovery as smooth as possible. In short, we’re here to make the entire process smooth, painless, and stress-free, so give us a call if you think you’d benefit from a tooth extraction in Chula Vista, CA.
Why Choose Village Walk Dental for Tooth Extractions?
- Calming Oral Conscious Sedation Available
- Multiple Tooth Replacement Options In-House
- Professional, Friendly and Caring Team Members
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
In most cases, teeth are removed when they have become so damaged they aren’t able to survive in the mouth. This is usually due to long-term decay that went untreated for too long. However, a tooth may also need to be removed due to a dental emergency, like a physical injury, or to make room for an orthodontic treatment. Whatever the reason may be, you can expect Dr. Barajas to address it directly and explain why removing your tooth is necessary to protect your oral health.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
The process of removing a tooth always begins the same way: thoroughly numbing your mouth. Once you can’t feel anything and you’re ready to begin, Dr. Eric Barajas will intervene with a simple or surgical extraction. Simple extractions are used when the tooth in question has broken through the gumline, allowing him to gently rock it loose until it’s ready to be removed. A surgical extraction, on the other hand, is when an incision needs to be made first to access the tooth that’s trapped or impacted underneath the gumline.
Note: Do you feel nervous, stressed, or anxious over the thought of having one or more teeth extracted? Then don’t hesitate to ask us about adding sedation dentistry to your treatment plan!
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
In order to prevent infections, a dry socket, and other complications during the healing period, we will provide you with aftercare instructions. Some common ones include:
- Take prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as directed
- Brushing around the extraction site to keep your mouth clean
- Stick to a liquid diet or extremely soft foods
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
- Don’t exercise, use a straw, spit, or smoke
- Keep your head elevated while you sleep
Do you want to learn more about tooth extractions? Whether it’s about the procedure, the cost, or what happens afterward, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’d be more than happy to answer any questions you have and provide further insight so you feel confident moving forward.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
A tooth extraction is often an unexpected expense, so knowing how much to budget for it can be difficult. While you’ll need a consultation with Dr. Barajas to determine the exact cost, here are a few important factors that go into determining how much you’ll be charged, and some useful options to help make the procedure more affordable.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
While it is difficult to determine how much your tooth extraction will cost before you are seen by Dr. Barajas, there are a few key factors that can influence your total amount. These include:
- The type and location of the tooth or teeth needing to be extracted.
- The ease or difficulty of the extraction, and whether a specialist needs to be brought in to assist with the procedure. Impacted extractions and simple extractions are very different.
- Next steps required for replacing the extracted tooth, such as a bridge, denture, or dental implant.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
In many cases, dental insurance will cover around 50 percent of the cost of your tooth extraction after your deductible is met. This includes wisdom teeth. Be aware, however, that your plan may have limits in place that only cover a certain number of teeth. Some plans may also have a waiting period before your full coverage kicks in, but every plan is different. For questions about your individual plan, speak to your insurance company, or let us know and we’d be happy to reach out on your behalf.
Other Options for Making Tooth Extractions Affordable
For patients who either do not have dental insurance, or who need additional financial assistance outside of their dental insurance, we offer several options to help make tooth extractions more affordable:
- Our membership plan is available for patients without insurance and offers a ten percent discount on many treatments. Inquire with our team about whether your extraction could be covered.
- For those looking to finance a portion of their balance, we accept CareCredit, which offers payment plans with little or no interest to help make your extraction easier on your budget.
Village Walk Dental is ready to assist you with your tooth extraction, from helping you navigate the costs to guiding you through the procedure and aftercare. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us today for more information.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Is There an Alternative to a Tooth Extraction?
If our Chula Vista dental team is recommending a tooth extraction, then there likely isn’t another option that will effectively restore the look, health, and function of your smile. With that said, you’re more than welcome to bring any questions you have to us. We’d be more than happy to share why we’re recommending a tooth extraction over a root canal, gum disease therapy, or another common restorative dental treatment. That way, you can feel confident moving forward with the treatment plan we created to restore your smile.
What Are My Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth?
Thankfully, tooth-replacement solutions today are crafted from high-quality materials, are custom-made for each patient, and can last for well over a decade with proper care. In other words, filling the open gap in your smile with a dental bridge, denture, or dental implant won’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile. Instead, it will restore your confidence, improve the strength of your bite, and prevent oral health problems, like dental drift. If you would like to learn more about your options for replacing missing teeth, including which one we recommend for you, schedule a consultation at our Chula Vista dental office!
Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?
You’ll be happy to hear that even more extensive procedures, like tooth extractions, don’t hurt because we numb your mouth thoroughly beforehand! As a result, you won’t feel any pain as we work to remove your tooth. Even after your appointment, we will help you stay comfortable by providing you with aftercare instructions, like taking OTC pain medication as directed and avoiding hot/cold stimuli.
Note: If you struggle with dental-related anxiety or you’re simply worried about having one or more of your teeth removed, ask us about sedation dentistry!
Can I Smoke After Getting a Tooth Extracted?
In addition to not smoking leading up to your procedure, you should avoid cigars, cigarettes, and the like for at least two weeks afterward. This is crucial because products like these can negatively impact the healing process. If you have had difficulty quitting in the past, don’t hesitate to let us know. Remember, we aren’t here to pass judgment. Instead, we want to help you however we can so both the tooth extraction and the recovery period go as smoothly as possible.
What Can I Do to Speed Up the Healing Time?
While there isn’t something you can do to speed up the healing time, there are things you can do to avoid infections, dry sockets, and other common problems. That’s why it’s so important that you follow the aftercare instructions we provide – from not using tobacco products to drinking lots of water and brushing carefully around the extraction site.
How Should I Prepare for My Tooth Extraction?
It’s always a good idea to ask if your dentist has any specific instructions for you, like fasting prior to your procedure or arranging for a trusted adult to drive you to and from your appointment. Outside of that, go shopping for everything you need for the recovery period beforehand (i.e., soft foods, over-the-counter pain medication, cold compresses).