Tooth Extractions in VA

To get additional answers about extracting teeth, give us a call at Dental Care of Alexandria & McLean. We’re standing by to help you have the smoothest procedure, recovery and a healthy mouth for life.

Why Are Teeth Extracted?

There are many reasons why getting a tooth pulled may be necessary:

• Excessive tooth decay
• Tooth infection
• Crowding of the teeth
• To make room for other teeth to shift into place while wearing braces
• To remove compromised teeth from the mouth of someone preparing for an organ transplant or going through chemotherapy

You could have a tooth pulled by either a dentist or an oral surgeon. It’s an outpatient procedure and goes fairly quickly. Depending on the nature of the tooth extraction in VA (eg. number of teeth to remove, location of the teeth, condition of the mouth, etc.) you’ll either be placed under general, local, or intravenous anesthesia or some combination thereof. It’s a simple process to extract visible teeth, but, if a tooth is below the surface, impacted, or broken, the procedure will be more involved.

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Tooth Pulled?

The tooth extraction cost varies greatly from case to case depending on a variety of factors, among them whether or not the tooth is impacted. A simple extraction may cost from $75 to $200 per tooth, though this cost can be greater depending on the kind of anesthesia used. To remove an impacted tooth, the cost ranges from around $800 to $4,000.

What Is the Tooth Extraction Procedure?

If the tooth to be extracted is visible and not impacted, the extraction will be simple; if the tooth is impacted or not visible, then the extraction will be surgical.

Simple Extraction

You’ll be given a local anesthetic to numb the area surrounding the tooth. This way, you’ll feel no pain, just a bit of pressure during the procedure. Your dentist will then loosen the tooth using a special instrument known as an elevator and remove the tooth using forces.

Surgical Extraction

You’ll probably be given a local and intravenous anesthetic: the first, to make you numb, and the second, to keep you relaxed and calm. Depending on whether you have any medical conditions that could be affected by the procedure, you may also be given general anesthesia; this will “put you under” and ensure you stay unconscious throughout the procedure.

Next, the dentist or oral surgeon will make a small incision into your gum. Before the tooth can then be extracted, there could be bone they first have to remove or they may need to cut the tooth first.

Recovery and Aftercare From Teeth Extractions

Recovering from a tooth extraction typically takes several days. During that time, follow these guidelines to make sure your tooth extraction healing and recovery goes as smoothly and successfully as possible:

• Directly following the procedure, hold an ice pack to your cheek for about 10 minutes at a time to reduce swelling.
• Once the dentist or oral surgeon has placed a gauze pad over the extraction site, bite down on it to help with clot formation and reduce bleeding; leave it on until it’s soaked with blood or for three or four hours.
• Take medications, including OTC painkillers, as prescribed.
• For the first 24 hours after the procedure, just rest and relax. The following day, still try not to overexert yourself or dive fully right back into your normal routine.
• When you lie down, use pillows to prop up your head.
• Avoid using a straw for that initial 24 hours.
• Avoid rinsing for 24 hours following the procedure, and only spit gently.
• Don’t smoke.
• Brush and floss like usual, avoiding the tooth extraction site.
• Once the initial 24-hour period after tooth removal has expired, rinse your mouth out using eight ounces (one cup) of warm water with half a teaspoon of salt stirred in.
• The next day, eat only soft foods like applesauce, pudding, and yogurt; you can reintroduce other foods slowly back into your diet over the subsequent few days as you continue to heal.

If you have mouth pain that doesn't go away after a few days or show signs of infection (like pain, fever, pus or drainage from the extraction site) call us right away. To set up an appointment for a consultation about a possible tooth extraction in VA, schedule online or give us a call.