Wisdom Tooth Extractions—Weatherford, TX
Protecting Your Oral Health from Problematic Teeth
Wisdom teeth may have served a purpose in the past, but now they only cause problems with the jaw and smile’s overall alignment. For example, if a wisdom tooth erupts, it’s unlikely that there will be room for it to fit inside the mouth properly. This typically results in an impaction, where the tooth becomes trapped underneath the gum tissue, neighboring teeth, and jawbone. If you or your teen is experiencing discomfort in the back of the mouth, our dentists will make sure they provide comfortable and efficient care during every phase of a wisdom tooth extraction in Weatherford, TX.
Why Choose Beacon Dentistry of Weatherford for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Cone Beam Scanner Improves Treatment Planning
- Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry Available
- Accommodates Emergency Dental Appointments
What are Wisdom Teeth?
The wisdom teeth are actually a third set of molars, and they get their name from the fact that they usually don’t appear until the late teens or early 20s when someone is “wiser” compared to when their first teeth came in. While they were extremely helpful for our ancient ancestors and their rough diets, humans have adapted over the millennia in a way that now makes them obsolete. In fact, our jaws have gradually gotten smaller, which is a big reason why wisdom teeth often have to be removed.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
- They are impacted (trapped) in the gum and jaw and are causing pain
- They are pushing on the nearby teeth and creating misalignment
- They are infected, cause cysts, and increase the risk of oral cancer
- They have created a flap in the gums that traps food and bacteria
- They are really difficult to clean and frequently develop cavities
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
Our dentists will perform a detailed exam of you or your child’s wisdom teeth to confirm how they are growing and determine whether extraction is necessary. If they have fully erupted, we can perform a simple extraction similar to how we would handle any other tooth. However, if they have not come in yet and we know they are likely to cause issues (or have become impacted), we’ll perform a surgical extraction. Our goal is to help you avoid dental problems, so we keep a close eye on wisdom teeth so we can recommend treatment before they are causing pain and other issues.
Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Immediately following a wisdom tooth extraction, a patient should expect to do three basic things. One, they should relax for the next day or two and avoid physical activity, as this will allow for a blood clot to form and kick off the healing process. Two, the gauze in their mouth should be changed every few hours, and the bleeding should mostly stop after the first day. And lastly, the patient should follow a soft food diet that primarily consists of items like scrambled eggs, (not too hot) soup, pudding, yogurt, and so on for about a week.
Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
While we make every effort to ensure that your wisdom tooth extraction will be as painless as possible, we also know that preparing for the procedure can be a little bit stressful. The last thing we want to do is to have the financial component of your dental care add to that, which is why we endeavor to make payment as easy and transparent as possible.
We’ll give you a complete estimate for what your care is going to cost when we meet you in person, but here’s what you should know before that.
Factors That Can Impact the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
As you can imagine, the precise cost of your tooth extraction is likely to depend on any of a few factors. The first, of course, is how many wisdom teeth you’re going to need to have extracted—not everyone is born with all four of them. Some wisdom teeth are also harder to deal with than others. You might have a soft tissue impaction, i.e. a wisdom tooth that has only partially emerged from the gums. You could also have a bony impaction, where an oral surgeon will need to remove a wisdom tooth completely lodged within the jawbone. These conditions will add to the complexity of the treatment and may therefore contribute to its cost. Wisdom tooth surgery typically also requires anesthesia and sedation, which will usually incur their own cost based on the variety of sedative you use.
We understand that’s a lot of decisions to make, so we will be sure to talk to you about how each of them could affect the price of your care at your consultation.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
Dental insurance won’t always cover dental surgery, but wisdom tooth extractions are a notable exception. So long as you’ve met your deductible for the year and have yet to meet your yearly maximum, you’ll usually have some portion of your dental care covered by your insurance company. Of course, we’ll be happy to consult with your insurance company in order to ensure that you’re getting the most of your benefits.
Other Options for Making Wisdom Tooth Extractions Affordable
If you do not have insurance, you may be interested in some of the other options we have to make our care more affordable. For one, we have an in-house savings plan—for a flat monthly fee, you can get complementary preventive services along with a 15% discount on other types of care (including wisdom tooth removal).
You might also be interested in financing services from CareCredit or Sunbit, both of which can allow you to split the cost of your care across several months.
If you want to hear more about what you can do to make your dental care affordable, give us a call and we’ll be happy to talk to you.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs
What Can I Eat After Wisdom Tooth Surgery?
It’s important that we first mention that you shouldn’t eat anything until the numbing agent has completely worn off. Once it has, stick to a diet that’s filled with soft, nutritious foods instead of crunchy, sugar-filled ones. Plain yogurt, cottage cheese, and scrambled eggs are a few examples that will give your body the nutrients it needs while also preventing irritation around the extraction site.
Tip: Check the temperature of your food first! Anything too hot or too cold can result in considerable discomfort, which we want to avoid.
How Do You Sleep After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
While the wisdom tooth extraction process will be painless thanks to powerful numbing agents, some soreness and discomfort in the hours and days following your appointment are to be expected. The best way to stay comfortable is to take a few proactive steps, including avoiding crunchy foods, taking OTC pain medication as directed, and using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time. Make sure that you also keep your head elevated and that you change the gauze as needed throughout the night.
How Do You Avoid Dry Socket After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
One of the many reasons we want to avoid a dry socket is because this condition can be quite painful. The good news is that there are several ways you can dramatically reduce your chances of that happening. The first is to completely avoid smoking, spitting, and drinking through a straw. The second is sticking to soft, nutrient-dense foods to prevent irritation and promote healing. The third is doing what you can to keep your mouth clean, including brushing around the extraction site and rinsing your mouth periodically with clean, room-temperature water (again, no spitting).
Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed If They Don’t Hurt?
Sometimes, patients only find out that they need their wisdom teeth removed after weeks or months of dealing with chronic jaw pain. Other times, they don’t experience any pain at all, which means they don’t find out they need to have them extracted until their biannual dental checkup. Usually, this is because the presence of your third set of molars puts you at risk of serious oral health problems, including cysts.
How Should I Prepare for My Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Whether you’re having one of your wisdom teeth removed or all four, it’s important that you do what you can to prepare for your procedure. To start, go to the store to stock your pantry with soft foods and make sure that you have OTC pain medication. You should also stock your nightstand or the table next to your couch with a few essentials, including bottled water and gauze, so you have everything you need close by. Lastly, you need to arrange for a trusted adult to drive you home from your appointment if sedation dentistry is a part of your treatment plan.
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