Wisdom Tooth Extractions
End Chronic Oral Pain
The wisdom teeth are the third set of molars positioned in the back of the mouth and the final teeth to emerge over the course of a person’s lifetime. Unfortunately, the emergence of these teeth often leads to chronic pain, and it can also cause dental misalignments, infections, and serious oral damage. Fortunately, the skilled team at Capehart Dental can help a patient enjoy a smooth wisdom tooth extraction process that sets them up to enjoy a comfortable smile for life. Here’s a quick look at how wisdom tooth extraction works, but please contact our office if you’d like to know more or if you’d like to learn about how your dental insurance can help pay for the procedure.
Why Choose Capehart Dental of Lewisville for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Protect Your Smile from Infection and Injury
- Restore Comfort to Your Grin
- Dental Insurance Welcomed
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that emerge as a person’s smile develops, and they typically begin to erupt in the late teens or early twenties. While these large teeth were important for our ancestors’ survival, the jawbones of modern humans are often too small to accommodate them, leading to much oral discomfort when they emerge. Some people are born with fewer than four wisdom teeth or even none at all, and it is not always necessary to remove them. If Dr. Capehart recommends extracting your wisdom teeth, you can rest assured that it is the best thing for your oral health.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
It is often necessary to remove a person’s wisdom teeth to prevent issues like chronic oral pain, dental misalignments, oral infections, hygiene difficulties, and teeth grinding. The emerging wisdom teeth can often force the rest of the smile out of alignment, which can ruin the results of a previous orthodontic treatment. If they fail to emerge from the gums properly, the wisdom teeth can create pockets in which harmful oral bacteria can multiply and thrive. Extracting the wisdom teeth can end these issues and set a person up for many years without persistent dental pain.
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
We partner with a trusted local oral surgical specialist to ensure that our patients receive the best care possible when having their wisdom teeth extracted. The procedure always begins with the patient receiving an appropriate anesthetic to ensure their comfort. When the surgical area is ready, our specialist will lift the teeth being extracted from the gum tissue using a device called an elevator, grasp them with forceps, and carefully work them loose from their connective tissue. If the teeth are impacted, the process may also involve making surgical incisions. We’ll also make sure you have detailed aftercare instructions that set you up to enjoy a smooth and complication-free recovery process.
Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction
You can expect temporary side-effects like swelling and discomfort when recovering after wisdom tooth extraction. To minimize these, please follow your aftercare instructions which may include:
- Practicing excellent oral hygiene habits while taking care to be gentle around the surgical sites.
- Refraining from spitting or drinking through a straw. This will help you avoid a painful condition called dry socket.
- Getting plenty of rest.
- Sticking to a soft diet.
- Taking prescribed medications as instructed.
Please contact our office in Lewisville if you’d like to know more about the recovery process.
Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
If you need one or more wisdom teeth removed, you may be curious about the cost of wisdom tooth extractions in Lewisville. However, because there are a variety of factors that can influence the price, it is impossible to quote a ‘one-size-fits-all’ number or give a ballpark range over the phone. The best way to get the most accurate total is to visit Dr. Capehart in person for an evaluation. Then, once he’s had the opportunity to examine your smile, he will provide you with a full treatment plan including price. In the meantime, feel free to read more about how he’ll determine your cost once you’ve been evaluated.
Factors That Can Impact the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
The cost of wisdom tooth extractions can vary dramatically based on several important factors, which your oral surgeon in Lewisville will discuss with you during your consultation. These may include:
- How many wisdom teeth need to be extracted: Not everyone is born with four wisdom teeth! In fact, you can have one, two, three, four or up to six!
- Whether or not your wisdom teeth are impacted: Impacted wisdom teeth may require surgical intervention. There are also two types of impactions, bony impaction or soft tissue impaction, each of which require a different type of intervention.
- Soft tissue impaction occurs when the wisdom tooth has partially or fully emerged.
- Bony impaction is when the tooth is completely lodged in the jawbone.
- The type of anesthesia required: Based on whether you’ll need a simple or surgical extraction, you may also require anesthesia, which could incur a separate cost.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
Unfortunately, not all dental insurance plans offer benefits for oral surgery. However, most will cover at least part of the cost of a wisdom tooth extraction. This of course will depend on whether you’ve met your deductible or your maximum for the year. The best way to learn more about your specific benefits is to call your insurance company directly. Choosing an in-network dentist can also help you lower your out-of-pocket costs.
Other Options for Making Wisdom Tooth Extractions Affordable
In addition to proudly being-in network with many popular dental insurance plans, at Capehart Dental we are pleased to welcome the following options for making your wisdom tooth extraction more affordable, including:
- Our in-house Capehart Dental Plan: This membership program works in lieu of dental insurance for a low annual fee and provides valuable discounts on preventive care and treatments performed in-house by Dr. Capehart.
- Flexible Financing: We happily accept flexible financing plans from our preferred third-party lender, CareCredit. This program allows the patient to break up the cost of their dental treatment into multiple, low-to-no-interest monthly payments that may be better suited to their budget.
At Capehart Dental, Dr. Capehart and the team are ready to help with your wisdom tooth extractions in Lewisville. To learn more about this treatment, including your cost with or without dental insurance, schedule a consultation for wisdom tooth extraction today.