Losing teeth can be more than just an inconvenience—it can significantly affect your daily life and overall well-being. Thankfully, dentures provide a reliable way to restore your smile, improve your ability to eat and speak, and enhance your overall quality of life.
You’ve come to the right place if you’re curious about dental extractions and dentures. In this blog, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about teeth removal for dentures. We’ll also answer important questions like “How much do dental extractions cost with insurance?” and “What is the tooth removal process for dentures?” Keep reading to get all the answers you need!
What is a Dental Extraction?
A dental extraction, or tooth extraction, involves removing a tooth from its socket. This procedure can be necessary for various reasons, especially when preparing for dentures. Extractions can be classified as either simple or surgical. Simple extractions are performed on visible teeth and are typically straightforward, requiring only local anesthesia. Surgical extractions are more complex, often involving teeth that are broken, impacted, or not easily accessible. Here’s why a dentist might recommend a tooth extraction:
Poor Tooth Alignment
Sometimes, natural teeth are poorly aligned, making denture fitting difficult or uncomfortable. Removing some teeth can facilitate the design and fit of dentures.
Severe Decay or Damage
If teeth are too decayed or damaged to be saved, they may need to be extracted. Keeping such teeth can lead to pain and infection.
Periodontal Disease
Advanced gum disease can cause teeth to become loose. These teeth may need to be removed to ensure the health of the gums and jawbone.
Dental Infections
When a tooth is infected, it may require removal to control the infection. This helps ensure a healthier environment for the dentures. Regardless of the reason for the tooth extraction, it’s important to find a trustworthy dental office to discuss your options.
What is the Process of Tooth Extractions for Dentures
Getting teeth extracted for dentures is the same as having teeth pulled for any other dental reason. And although the prospect of getting a tooth extracted can be daunting, it’s a relatively simple process.
Consultation and Evaluation
Before considering any dental extraction, it is essential to consult with a dentist who will evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums. The evaluation typically includes X-rays and a thorough examination to assess whether extractions are necessary.
Tooth Extraction
The procedure begins with administering local anesthesia, and in some complex surgical cases, the patient will require sedation. In a simple extraction, the dentist loosens the tooth with an elevator, a dental tool with a handle and a curved or angled tip. After the tooth is loosened, it is removed with forceps. In a surgical extraction, the dentist or oral surgeon makes an incision in the gum, may remove some bone around the tooth, and often cuts the tooth into smaller pieces before removing it. The site is cleaned, and then gauze and sometimes stitches are used to control the bleeding.
Recovery Process
The healing process and timeline depend on the type of extraction you received. For simple extractions, you can typically return to work or school within one or two days. For surgical extractions, there’ll be 2-3 days of discomfort, and on the fourth day, patients will typically start to feel better. It will take 1-2 weeks for the socket to heal completely. Your dentist may prescribe pain medication or recommend over-the-counter pain relievers.
Regardless of the extraction type, it’s important to follow these guidelines:
- Keeping the extraction site clean as directed by your dentist
- Eating soft foods and avoiding strenuous activities
- Avoiding drinking from a straw, smoking, or vaping, as the suction can compromise the blood clot that forms at the extraction site
- Taking medications as directed
What Happens After Recovery?
After your gums have healed, your dentist will begin creating your personalized dentures by taking impressions of your mouth. This ensures that the dentures will be both comfortable and functional. Once created, the dentures are carefully fitted to align correctly with your gums and jawline.
How Much do Dental Extractions Cost with Insurance?
After completing the initial consultation and X-rays, simple extractions cost around $250 per tooth. This procedure is straightforward, as the dentist can loosen and remove a fully erupted tooth without surgical intervention. Surgical extractions cost around $250 to $500 per tooth. The higher cost is due to their complexity, longer duration, and, in some instances, more expensive anesthesia.
Dental insurance with restorative coverage typically covers tooth extractions, but the coverage amount depends on the type of extraction and your specific plan. Simple extractions are usually covered at 50-70%, while surgical extractions may be covered at a lower percentage, around 50%. The exact percentage will depend on the specific benefits that the patient will receive from the extraction. Some dental plans have a waiting period of 6-12 months, so it’s important to start the process early.
If you don’t have insurance, many dental clinics offer payment plans or membership saving plans for patients with limited financial resources or no insurance coverage.
Affordable Extractions and Dentures in Richmond, VA
If you’re wondering, “Who does dental extractions for dentures near me?” you can find affordable dental extraction services in Virginia at Northside Dental Co. We provide professional dental extractions in Richmond, VA, for anyone needing to remove problematic teeth in preparation for dentures.
With proper consultation and careful attention to detail, dental extractions and dentures can significantly improve your quality of life by restoring your smile and enhancing essential activities like eating and speaking. Book an appointment online today to learn more about our dental extraction services.
