Tooth Extractions – Burlington, MA

Alleviating Oral Complications by Removing Problem Teeth

an extracted tooth on a table with dental tools

It’s normal for people to want to keep as many of their natural teeth as possible. However, there are some cases where it isn’t viable to keep a tooth, especially if it’s placing the rest of your smile at risk of damage, decay, or infection. If a tooth is compromised beyond repair, our team can perform tooth extractions in Burlington as a last resort to effectively preserve your oral health. Read on to learn more about this treatment or call our office today to schedule an appointment.

Why Choose Derek Song, DMD for Tooth Extractions?

Offers Wisdom Tooth Extractions
In-House Specialists Available for Effective Treatment
Accepts Insurance & Provides Membership Plans

Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

a man holding his cheek due to tooth pain

Our team will do everything we can to preserve as many natural pearly whites as possible. However, sometimes this isn’t always the best solution for keeping the rest of your smile safe and healthy. In many instances, removing the problem tooth can help avoid future infections and other complications. Here are several cases when a tooth extraction might be required to restore your overall dental health:

There’s serious decay or damage to the tooth that’s beyond repair.
A tooth is impacted and won’t erupt properly.
To allow a patient to undergo an orthodontic process.
To boost the success of a long-term restoration, such as a denture.
A primary tooth that won’t fall out by itself.

The Process of Removing a Tooth

a dentist holding an extracted tooth with forceps

Teeth are typically extracted via simple pulling or surgical removal. In the first case, we can only “pull” pearly whites if they’ve already emerged from underneath the gumline. To begin the process, we’ll first numb the area with a local anesthetic before using a clasping tool to shift the tooth around until it’s extracted. If this isn’t possible, we’ll need to make a small incision in the gum tissue so we can reach the entire structure of the tooth to remove it.

Our team will determine the appropriate extraction method by evaluating your situation and X-rays. We’ll also review your tooth replacement options after your extraction procedure, as we’ll want to prevent future oral health problems that can come from tooth loss. These options can usually involve dental bridges, dentures, or dental implants.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

a man brushing his teeth after recovering from tooth extractions

Before and after your procedure, our team will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to help make your recovery smoother and more comfortable. While every patient is unique, some of the common steps include:

Rinsing with saltwater a day after your appointment
Elevating your head when resting
Getting plenty of sleep
Avoiding tobacco products
Taking over-the-counter/prescribed medications as instructed
Applying an ice pack to minimize swelling and pain
Avoiding hard, sticky, crunchy, and spicy foods

Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions

A tooth extraction may be the best way to end miserable dental pain, preserve your oral health, and prevent future infections, but it’s still perfectly reasonable to ask how much the procedure will cost after your dentist recommends it. Since every case is different, we cannot provide you with a proper cost estimate until we have evaluated your situation at our office, but this guide can help you get a better idea of what to expect. Here’s a quick look at how tooth extractions are priced at Dr. Song’s office.

Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost

Stacks of coins examined with magnifying glass

Several factors will probably determine most of the cost of your tooth extraction. These include:

The type of tooth being removed: The teeth that are located farther back in the mouth are larger and harder to reach and have more complex anatomy, which usually makes them more costly to extract.
The number of teeth being extracted: Each tooth removed will be noted individually on your bill.
The complexity of the case: In some especially complicated cases, we may have to refer a patient to a specialist who uses a different pricing structure.
Restoration: The American Dental Association recommends replacing lost teeth as soon as possible. Dr. Song offers high-quality tooth replacements such as bridges, dentures, and implants.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?

Dental insurance plans often cover major restorative procedures like tooth extractions by about 50%, but this rate can vary considerably between policies. In many cases, an insurance policy will impose restrictions such as a waiting period or a deductible that must be met before benefits take effect. During your consultation, our staff will be happy to help you navigate your insurance plan and determine what it will pay for.

How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable

We understand that some people who need tooth extractions may need a little help making the treatment affordable, and we want to make sure everyone in Burlington can receive the necessary oral health care they deserve. For $500 a year, you can benefit from our in-house membership plan that includes all routine oral care, two emergency visits, and 15% off all other procedures.