If you live in or around the Austin, Texas area and find out that you have to have a tooth pulled, there are probably many questions going through your mind, such as what’s involved in the procedure, will it hurt, and how long will it take to recover. But if you don’t have dental insurance (or even if you do), one very important question might be what does tooth extraction cost in Austin, Texas? In this article, we’ve collected some helpful information regarding tooth extraction, including how much it costs, types of extractions, and what is involved in the process.
Common Reasons for Extracting a Tooth
There are several different reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted, including the following:
- Advanced tooth decay – If a tooth has such advanced decay that it can’t be saved by any other method, it may need to be removed completely.
- Gum disease – In the latter stages of gum disease, teeth can become loose. In these instances, the dentist or oral surgeon may have no other choice but to remove those teeth that have loosened.
- Dental infection – If an infection develops inside the tooth, and if the dentist determines that it can’t be saved by a root canal, extraction may be the only alternative.
• Dental trauma – If the tooth or the supporting bone tissue has been damaged through some type of trauma, tooth extraction is often the only resolution. - Impacted wisdom teeth – Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that erupt in the very back of the patient’s mouth, behind the adult (or second set) of molars. Not everyone gets wisdom teeth, but for those people who do, there may not be enough room in the mouth to accommodate the extra molars. In these circumstances, the teeth may come in crooked or at an angle and never fully erupt through the surface of the gums. These are referred to as “impacted” teeth, and need to be removed through surgical extraction.
- Preparing for dentures or a dental prosthesis – There are a variety of reasons why a patient may need to be fitted with dentures. In some situations, the patient’s teeth need to be removed first to provide space for the denture or dental prosthesis.
Types of Tooth Extractions
Generally speaking, dentists and oral surgeons perform two different types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. A simple extraction is performed when the tooth that needs to be extracted is one that has already erupted through the gums and can be removed in one piece. A surgical extraction is called for when the tooth that needs to be removed has not fully erupted through the surface of the gum tissue. This is often the case with wisdom teeth, for example, which can become impacted. In a surgical extraction, the dentist makes a small incision in the gum tissue in order to access the tooth. Depending on the nature of the problem, the affected tooth may be able to be removed in one piece during a surgical extraction. But sometimes the tooth will need to be broken into small pieces before the dentist or oral surgeon can remove it.
The Steps Involved in Tooth Extraction
The exact steps involved in a tooth extraction will depend, to a large extent, on the individual patient’s circumstances and whether or not a surgical extraction is required. What we describe below are the typical steps involved in a simple extraction.
- The dentist administers novocaine and, in some instances, the appropriate form of sedation. Modern dental technology provides a variety of dental sedation options, each of which helps the patient to remain comfortable and calm throughout the procedure.
- The dentist begins by separating the tooth from the surrounding gum tissue.
- The dentist then uses forceps to gently rock and tooth back and forth in the socket, which disconnects the tooth from the surrounding soft tissues.
- In the final step of the process, the dentist removes the tooth from the socket and inserts clean gauze to control bleeding and to allow a blood clot to form in the socket.
What Does Tooth Extraction Cost?
Whether you live in Austin, Texas or any other area of the country, the cost of having a tooth extracted will vary greatly and depend on a variety of factors, including:
- The procedure needed – A simple extraction is typically less expensive than a surgical extraction, which may require more time and expertise on the part of the dentist or oral surgeon.
- The dentist/oral surgeon performing the extraction – The cost of dental services often varies from one dental practice to the next, so it should come as no surprise that the cost of tooth extraction can also vary. In most circumstances, the more experienced the dentist or oral surgeon is, the higher the cost will be. But whatever the additional fee is, it is extremely important to have your tooth extraction done by a reputable dental provider with many years of experience providing this service to patients.
- Insurance coverage – Some patients have dental insurance, but many do not. If you have insurance, it should cover at least a portion of the tooth extraction cost. Patients who don’t have insurance coverage will have to pay out-of-pocket, but most dentists are happy to work out a payment plan with their patients.
If you require a simple, uncomplicated extraction the cost will typically start at about $250 per tooth and can go up from there depending on several factors as determined by the doctor. A surgical extraction – which is often the procedure involved in removing wisdom teeth – has a higher cost per tooth and can vary from there depending on the complexity of the situation. Remember that these costs vary a great deal depending on which dentist is performing the service along with the unique tooth structure and oral health condition of the patient. An exam and x-rays with the doctor are needed first to determine what is needed and the associated costs.
For more information on typical procedure costs see this page from Care Credit
Whatever tooth extraction costs in Austin, Texas, remember that taking care of your oral health is well worth the expense! Maintaining good oral health is essential to your overall health. And avoiding having dental services performed, or postponing them for whatever reason, only leads to worse problems. For more information about what tooth extraction costs, contact your Austin, Texas dentist today and schedule an appointment.
