Frequently Asked Questions
How much does tooth extraction cost?
Depending on the type of extraction, the cost can vary. Common estimates for a "simple" tooth extraction -- one without complications -- can vary from $300 - $400. These fall under the category of routine tooth extractions and are not complicated. However, a "surgical" tooth extraction can vary from $500-$800 depending on the complexity of the extraction being performed. Surgical tooth extractions require additional steps like trimming and sectioning the bone to facilitate the removal of impacted dental roots.. In any case, no tooth extraction should cost much more than these estimates unless multiple teeth are being extracted or PRGF and bone grafting is being performed in conjunction with the dental extractions.
Does dental insurance cover tooth extractions?
Most dental plans provide some kind of coverage for routine tooth extractions. The coverage usually categorizes the extraction procedure as a "basic dental service," meaning 70-80% of the procedure's cost will be covered by insurance. Depending on the type of extraction being performed and the complexity of the procedure, the cost of tooth extraction and the amount covered by insurance may vary.
Some insurance policies dictate that the tooth extraction must be medically necessary -- this encompasses all of the common reasons why a bad tooth should be pulled. If you have more questions about how your dental insurance covers tooth extraction procedures, contact us today.
How long is the healing process?
Once the process of tooth extraction is complete, the time it takes to heal depends on a couple of factors. The size of the extraction site and your future dental treatment schedule both affect the healing of your extraction site.
In the first 24 hours: Bleeding should stop, discomfort should decrease, and you'll notice tenderness and an irregular feeling in the area around the empty socket. There may also be some swelling, but that should peak within the first 24 hours and then subside.
During the first 1-2 weeks after tooth extraction: you will notice the socket hole has begun to heal fairly well, although wider and deeper extraction sites may still show an indentation at the extraction site. If you had stitches, they will usually fall out or be removed after the first 7 days. During these two weeks, your extraction site is still fragile -- crunchy foods or rough brushing may cause additional bleeding, so be careful.
Most of your soft tissue should be healed 3-4 weeks after your tooth extraction and as little as 1 week when PRGF and bone grafting were performed. At this point, most of the remaining healing will take place in the jaw bone. It may take 6-8 months for your jaw bone to substantially fill in the empty tooth socket - 3-4 months when bone grafting was performed. The extracted tooth sockets will fill in and smooth over during this time. The bone in this region may appear sunken, but the final appearance of the extraction site is largely dictated by the size of the original wound.
What is a Socket Preservation or Bone Grafting procedure?
Traditionally, the removal of a tooth is followed by a blood clot that takes months for new bone to be formed. Research has found that this simple extraction process results in a greater amount of bone loss than if a bone graft is placed at the time of extraction. Modern dentistry has evolved a way of boosting the bodies healing process through a "socket preservation" procedure including a bone graft and a PRGF membrane. A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient and separated in a centrifuge to concentrate the Platelets Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) prior to the dental extraction. Once the tooth is extracted the socket is cleaned and disinfected and then filled with a either a human or animal bone grafting material. The graft is then covered with the PRGF membrane and a collagen plug and stabilized with dental sutures. Some of the many advantages of the Socket Preservation procedure include: less pain, less bleeding, more bone preservation, decreased risk of dry socket, faster healing time, less annoying food trapping in the extraction socket.
What is the post-extraction process like without a bone graft?
First, you'll want to bite down on a piece of gauze for at least 30 minutes after your procedure. This will help to stop the bleeding where your tooth was extracted. You will be given additional gauze to repeat this 30 minute procedure once or twice. If bleeding persists, try a moist black tea bag. Tea contains tannic acid (.i.e. black tea or breakfast tea), which can help stop bleeding.
Once your extraction site stops bleeding, you'll want to avoid any vigorous mouth rinsing for about 24 hours. Then you can begin to start rinsing gently with warm salt water. Dr. Michael may also instruct you to use a prescription strength mouth wash every twelve hours for 1-2 weeks. Eat only soft foods and drink plenty of liquids. If your bleeding hasn't stopped after 24-48 hours, give Dr. Hank Michael's office a call, otherwise you may develop a dry socket. A dry socket can easily be treated with a medicated dressing or PRGF, which will promote healing and clot formation.
Dr. Michael always recommends PRGF and bone grafting immediately following a tooth extraction, post-op complications and bleeding are virtually eliminated with that combination as well as a significantly expedited healing time.
What foods and activities should I avoid after tooth extraction?
If you've had a tooth extraction, you should also avoid:
Smoking
Rinsing your mouth vigorously
Drinking hot liquids or drinking through a straw
Alcohol consumption or rinsing with a mouthwash that contains alcohol
Brushing nearby teeth
Touching the extraction site with your tongue
How long does pain last after a tooth extraction?
Pain following a tooth extraction usually lasts between one and two weeks as your socket and incisions heal. Your dental provider may recommend taking pain relievers or give you a painkiller prescription to manage pain during this time. Placing an ice pack against your cheek may also help.
How long after a tooth extraction can I eat?
You can eat right away following a tooth extraction, however, you should stick to soft and pureed foods that don’t require a lot of chewing, such as soups, yogurts, and mashed potatoes. The National Library of Medicine recommends that you avoid drinking from a straw for at least 24 hours, and from eating hard and crunchy foods for one week, as these behaviors may disturb the blood clot in the socket and delay healing.
What should a tooth extraction look like when healing?
During the first 24 hours following tooth extraction, a blood clot will form in the socket to stop the bleeding. After the blood clot forms, you may notice a white tissue-like substance growing over the wound, which indicates that the site is healing normally. Contact your dentist immediately if you notice bleeding that lasts more than 24 hours, or white or yellow pus oozing out of the wound, as these signs may indicate an infection.
How long do you have to wear gauze after tooth extraction?
Gauze is usually only worn during the first day following tooth extraction, according to the University of Utah. The gauze should stay in your mouth until you eat your first meal after surgery. If your wound is still bleeding after eating, place a new piece of damp gauze over the wound to stop the bleeding; if there is no bleeding, the gauze does not need to be replaced.
