At Brownstown Dental Care, we understand that the thought of undergoing a tooth extraction seems intimidating- but it’s not as terrible as it might seem. This is a procedure that we perform regularly, so we know what we’re doing. Still, knowing what to expect can make the experience much easier.
In this article, we will discuss tooth extractions and what you can expect during this procedure as well as dental implants and how long after a tooth extraction you should get an implant.
Tooth Extraction: What to Expect
Dr. Hanson will start by administering a local anesthetic that will numb the area around the affected tooth. If you have dental anxiety and need to be sedated for the procedure, let us know and we will take care of it. Just make sure that you bring someone with you that can drive you home after.
While most people refer to tooth extractions as ‘having a tooth pulled’ there’s more to it than just pulling. Extraction is done through a process known as luxation, which is a combination of rocking and pulling. This movement progressively opens the space in the bone where the tooth sits, breaking the small fibers connecting the tooth to the jawbone.
Simple extractions usually only take a minute or so, depending on the roots. If the roots are spread out or you need surgical extraction, the procedure will take longer.
Reasons for Tooth Extraction
There are several reasons you may need a tooth extraction, including:
- Irreparable damage to teeth
- Significant tooth decay
- Crowding that interferes with orthodontic procedures
- Inability of the tooth to erupt because of crowding
- Infection from decay/damage that a root canal cannot fix
- Risk of infection due to a problem tooth and compromised immune system
- Advanced periodontal disease
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
One of the most common reasons that people have teeth extracted is to remove their wisdom teeth. These are the four adult teeth at the back of the mouth- two on the top and two on the bottom. Many times, the wisdom teeth are unable to erupt due to a lack of space in the mouth.
Wisdom teeth often cause pain, infection, and potentially future dental issues. Therefore, most people have them removed before they become a problem. This is especially true if the wisdom teeth are impacted. If the tooth is growing at an angle and impacting other teeth or if it is trapped in the jawbone, it can be a problem.
Two Types of Tooth Extractions
There are two primary types of tooth extractions:
- Simple
- Surgical
During your consultation, Dr. Hanson or Dr. Biernacki and the team will discuss the type of extraction you need and explain the procedure to you. Both dentists have experience with both types of tooth extraction.
Simple Extractions
Simple tooth extraction is one that is done without making an incision and does not require any special techniques. Simple extractions generally only require a local anesthetic to numb the area around the affected tooth. This ensures that you will not feel any pain during the extraction, but you may feel pressure.
Patients rarely experience serious complications from simple extractions and are usually healed within a week or two.
Some tooth extractions are more complicated. For example, if a tooth is broken or decayed and cannot be grabbed with forceps, surgical removal may be required.
Surgical Extractions
Both Dr. Hanson and Dr. Biernacki are qualified to perform surgical tooth extractions. This type of extraction takes longer and typically requires the patient to be given general anesthesia.
The complexity of the surgical extraction depends on a few different factors:
- Location/position of the affected tooth
- Length/curvature of roots
- Previous dental treatments, such as root canal
- Bone density around the affected tooth
- Overall health of the patient
Many surgical extractions also require the removal of bone and/or gum tissue.
Tooth Extraction Cost
The cost of tooth extraction depends on the type of extraction required. A simple extraction typically ranges between $75 to $250 per tooth. A surgical extraction, such as wisdom tooth extraction, maybe $300 or more.
Local anesthesia is typically included in the base price. However, IV sedation may add some to the final cost of the procedure. Also, if you need nitrous oxide during the procedure, this will be an additional cost.
Most dental insurance providers will cover at least a portion of the cost. Our friendly office staff will work with your provider to determine coverage. We can also explain our financing option, Compassionate Finance.
Preparing for a Tooth Extraction
The team at Brownstown Dental Care understands that knowing what to expect during a tooth extraction can ease your anxiety and ensure the procedure goes smoothly.
It is important to note that, just like other medical procedures, the healthier you are, the greater your chances of a full recovery. Also, your risk of complications is reduced. The best way to prepare for any procedure, including tooth extraction, is to make sure you’re eating a proper diet and getting enough exercise and rest.
When preparing for tooth extraction, you’ll want to keep the following in mind:
- Avoid OTC medications/supplements that act as blood thinners. If you are on prescription medications, be sure to speak with your medical provider as well as the dental team.
- To ensure your blood sugar stays normal, you should eat a normal meal on your regular schedule. If nitrous oxide will be used, you should not eat for at least 2 hours before the procedure. You don’t want to be stuffed, but it will be a few hours before you can eat again, so you don’t want to get hungry.
- We recommend that you wait about 5 hours after the procedure before you try to eat anything and when you do, eat something soft.
- Feel free to ask for a step-by-step explanation of the process before we get started so that you’ll know what is happening. If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to bring those up before we get started. We don’t want you to panic after we start.
Dental Implants: The Ideal Tooth Replacement Solution
If you have recently had a tooth extraction or are planning to have one, you might want to consider a dental implant to fill in the gap. Dental implants are the best tooth replacement solution because they look, feel, and function the most like natural teeth. Plus, they are designed to last a lifetime, unlike most of the other tooth replacement options.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium screw that is placed in the jawbone and replaces the tooth root. An abutment will be attached to the screw which will hold the prosthetic tooth in place. A single implant can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple implants can be a foundation for dental prosthetics such as bridges or dentures.
There are several steps involved in placing a dental implant. However, once the implant is placed, your prosthetic will look, feel, and function like a natural tooth.
Types of Dental Implants
There are two primary types of dental implants:
- Endosteal dental implants are the most common type of dental implant. They are small titanium screws that are placed directly in the jawbone and act as a tooth root. The jawbone heals around them, securing them in place. These are ideal for patients who have sufficient jawbone density to support an implant.
- Subperiosteal dental implants are less common, primarily used in patients who don’t have adequate bone density and do not want to or cannot undergo bone augmentation. These implants are placed on top of or above the jawbone.
Dental Implant Cost
Dental implants are more expensive than most of other tooth replacement procedures- but the benefits far outweigh the cost. You will need to either replace or repair the other tooth replacements within a few years, while dental implants are designed to last a lifetime. The average cost of a single dental implant ranges between $3,000 to $4,000.
Our friendly office staff will consult with your insurance provider about coverage. Many insurance providers will cover a portion of the procedure. If you need help with your out-of-pocket portion, we offer financing through Compassionate Finance.
Tooth Extraction and Implant Timeline
You may be wondering what the timeline is for getting a dental implant following a tooth extraction. This varies from one patient to another, depending on your circumstances. However, there are three options:
- Immediate
- Early
- Delayed
Immediate Placement of Dental Implants
Ideally, a dental implant can be placed at the same time as the tooth extraction. This will prevent you from having to undergo a second surgery. If your jawbone is healthy and you do not require additional procedures such as bone grafting and you are free of gum disease, immediate placement may be an option for you.
Early Placement of Dental Implants
Early placement is also called “immediate-delayed” placement. This typically occurs 2 to 3 months after the tooth extraction. This gives your body a chance to fight off infection and your gums to heal. Since this placement happens shortly after the extraction, additional procedures, such as bone grafting, are not required.
Delayed Placement of Dental Implants
Delayed placement occurs 3 months or more following the extraction. This option is typically used for patients who have damaged oral tissues due to advanced gum disease or other problems. In some cases, patients with delayed placement may also require additional procedures before being eligible for dental implants.
How to Avoid Delaying Dental Implant Placement
While you may not be able to do much to speed up the timeline for your dental implant placement, there are a few things you can do to avoid unnecessary delays:
- Speak with the dentist as soon as you decide you’re interested in implants. This will allow the team to start planning your procedure. During your consultation visit, you’ll want to discuss your options for tooth replacement before tooth extraction.
- Take good care of your oral health. You can reduce your risk of infection or other problems by practicing good oral hygiene and carefully following aftercare instructions following the tooth extraction. This will help you avoid delaying the implant placement.
- While smoking is not an unequivocal contraindication for dental implants, it does increase the risk of gum disease and other issues. Therefore, if you smoke and are interested in dental implants, you may want to consider quitting as soon as possible.
- Pay attention to your overall health- especially if you have chronic conditions such a diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. These may have an adverse effect on your implants if not controlled.
There is no absolute standard timeline for having implants placed after extraction. You may be able to have it all done in one day or you may need to wait a few months. Either way, dental implants are the best option for tooth replacement because they look, feel, and function the most like natural teeth.
Interested in Dental Implant After Extraction?
If you are interested in getting dental implants after tooth extraction, contact us today at Brownstown Dental Care. We are located on Allen Road in Brownstown, Michigan. We are open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Dr. Hanson serves his patients in a variety of ways. He provides general dentistry as well as implant placement. He places hundreds of dental implants every year in his role at Heartland Dental as Clinical Director of Implant Initiatives. We have many patients come to our clinic because of his expertise and skills. He has worked with many patients, helping them rebuild and restore their smile.
We look forward to working with you to replace your missing tooth with a dental implant after extraction.