Tooth Extractions – Reston, VA
Remove Problem Teeth to Restore Oral Health
Unfortunately, not all teeth can be saved and sometimes they can get in the way of your oral health. At Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery, we offer tooth extractions to remove harmful or problematic teeth. Our team of skilled professionals use the latest techniques and technologies to perform the extraction with precision and care, minimizing discomfort and promoting quick recovery.
Why Choose Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery For Tooth Extractions?
- Board-Certified Oral Surgeons Who Put Patients First
- Enhanced Digital Imaging For Accurate Treatment Planning
- Sedation Dentistry For Patients in Need
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
Tooth extractions are sometimes unavoidable to maintain your dental health. Common reasons include:
- Severe Decay or Infection: When a tooth is too damaged to be saved by a filling or root canal, extraction can stop the spread of infection to your teeth and gums.
- Crowding: Extracting teeth can create space for orthodontic treatments.
- Impacted Teeth: Teeth, especially wisdom teeth, that can’t fully emerge and may cause pain or damage unless extracted.
- Increase Success with Prosthetics: If you need a denture or dental implant, extraction can be necessary to ensure success.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
Tooth extractions are carefully planned and carried out by our skilled team of oral surgeons. Here’s what to expect:
- Preparation: We'll review your medical history, take necessary X-rays, and discuss anesthesia options for a pain-free experience.
- Numbing and Extraction: A local anesthetic is used to numb the area. Then, your oral surgeon will gently loosen the tooth from its socket with an elevator, taking extra care to minimize discomfort.
- Removal: Once loosened, the tooth is grasped with forceps and rocked gently back and forth to remove it and protect the surrounding bone and tissue.
- Stitching (if necessary): In cases requiring more complex removal, dissolvable stitches may be placed to assist healing.
- Replacement: Finally, we’ll discuss replacement options with you if your tooth was lost due to damage or infection.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Proper aftercare is essential for a smooth recovery. Follow these guidelines to encourage healing:
- Keep Gauze in Place: Bite gently on gauze for the first few hours to control bleeding.
- Apply Ice: Reduce swelling by placing an ice pack on the cheek near the extraction site.
- Relax: Get plenty of rest
- Avoid Straws, Smoking & Vaping: Avoid drinking through straws, smoking, and vaping to prevent dislodging the blood clot over your extraction site and prevent irritation.
- Soft Diet: Eat soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, or soup for a few days.
- Rinse Gently: After 24 hours, rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water to keep the area clean.
Once this process is complete and your tooth is restored, your smile will look and feel much better. Then you can look forward to benefits like better bite alignment, prevention of jawbone loss (with an implant), and better dental health overall.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
There are many reasons why you may need a tooth extraction, including excessive decay, accidental injury, gum disease or to remove an impacted or infected wisdom tooth. The type of extraction, location of the tooth, and difficulty of the extraction can all affect the cost of the procedure. Here’s a closer look at some of these factors, and how Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery can make your treatment more affordable.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
There are many factors that go into determining the exact cost of your tooth extraction, and it is difficult to know exactly how much yours will cost until our team has had the opportunity to assess the tooth or teeth in question. Some factors that could affect the price include:
- The type and location of the tooth or teeth, and how many need to be removed.
- The overall difficulty of the extraction. Simple extractions and impacted extractions are very different.
- What next steps for tooth replacement entail, if necessary, such as dental implants, a bridge, or dentures.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
It is very common for dental insurance to cover around 50 percent of the cost of a tooth extraction after you have met your deductible. This includes wisdom teeth. However, there could be limits in place that only cover a specific number of teeth, or you may be subject to a waiting period before your coverage kicks in.
Every dental insurance plan is different, which is why it is very important to confirm your coverage with your insurance company first. Our team will be happy to help you do this if you’d like.
Other Options for Making Tooth Extractions Affordable
In addition to accepting dental insurance, at Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery, we also proudly accept third-party financing through CareCredit. These flexible plans can break the cost of your care into convenient, low-to-no interest monthly payments that better suit your budget.
We also offer occasional specials on care, such as discounts on wisdom tooth extractions and dental implants, so check our special offers page for current promotions.
At Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery, we’re ready to assist you with your tooth extraction, and are happy to help you navigate the cost. If you have any questions about your treatment cost, please contact us as soon as possible for more information.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Can I Leave the Space Empty After a Tooth Extraction?
The answer depends entirely on the reason it was extracted in the first place! For example, if your tooth was removed prior to orthodontic treatment to create space, then it certainly doesn’t make sense to have it replaced. If, on the other hand, the tooth was removed due to severe decay or damage, then it does need to be replaced to ensure you have a healthy smile and strong bite.
The good news is that our Reston dentist can fill the new space with a custom dental bridge or implant. In addition to reviewing the benefits of each, we will share our recommendations and help you decide the best way to proceed. That way, the end result is a smile that looks and feels great.
Can I Smoke After Getting a Tooth Extracted?
Tobacco products can delay healing considerably, which is why patients are asked to refrain from using cigars, cigarettes, and even e-cigarettes for at least two weeks following their procedure. Of course, we know this is often easier said than done. If you’ve had trouble quitting in the past, don’t hesitate to let us know so we can share what has worked for other patients. Remember, we aren’t here to judge. We’re here to help.
What Can I Do to Speed Up the Healing Time?
Although there isn’t something you can do to speed up the healing time, there are things you can do to avoid delaying it. In short, if you want to feel like yourself again, resume your usual diet, and get back to your usual routine as quickly as possible, you need to follow the aftercare instructions we give you to a tee – from using a cold compress to taking OTC pain medication as directed. A few days after your procedure, the soreness and sensitivity should start to subside, and about a week later you will likely get the green light to resume your usual diet and workout regimen as well.
What Can I Eat While Recovering from a Tooth Extraction?
Immediately following your tooth extraction, you shouldn’t eat anything. After all, your mouth will be completely numb, so you could bite down on your cheek or tongue and not even know it. Once you’ve regained full sensation in your mouth, you can eat extremely soft foods, like plain yogurt, mashed potatoes, and vegetable soup. As you begin to heal, you can start eating a more varied diet.
Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?
No, getting a tooth extracted does not hurt. That’s largely because we will numb your mouth thoroughly before the procedure, ensuring you don’t feel any pain in the treatment chair. We also provide detailed aftercare instructions to prevent soreness, sensitivity, and discomfort from arising during the healing period. Simply put, we do everything we can to make the entire treatment process pain-free.