Tooth Extractions – Marietta, GA 

Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

There are a number of reasons why we might determine that one or more of your child’s teeth must be removed:

• A tooth has incurred severe decay or damage that cannot be repaired by a filling or other restorative treatments.
• A primary tooth did not fall out on time, and we must remove it so it does not cause problems for the incoming adult teeth.
• We need to make room in the mouth for orthodontic devices, such as a braces.
• A tooth is infected, and we must remove it to stop the infection from affecting nearby tissues.

The Process of Removing a Tooth

In most cases, the process of removing a tooth is straightforward. It usually goes like this:

• First, we aim to make the patient comfortable. We numb the mouth and, if necessary, may administer sedation as well.
• We use an instrument known as an elevator to carefully lift the tooth out of its socket.
• Gripping the tooth with forceps, we rock it back and forth in order to break the connective tissues holding it in place.
• We clean out the socket and use gauze to keep any bleeding under control.

Depending on your child’s circumstances, we might place a space holder after their extraction so their remaining natural teeth do not drift out of place. Or, in cases where we remove a permanent tooth, we may have to talk about future tooth replacement options.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Here are some steps your child should take after their procedure in order to facilitate an easy and complication-free recovery:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Keep their head propped up on pillows when sleeping.
• Avoid the use of drinking straws.
• Avoid touching the extraction site with their fingers or tongue.
• Regularly swish with warm salt water (starting 24 hours after the extraction).
• Take any medications, such as painkillers or antibiotics, as recommended by our team.
• Maintain a clean mouth (the extraction site should not be touched by a toothbrush before it heals somewhat).
• Eat soft, no-chew foods.

Give us a call if your child experiences severe pain or any other unusual symptoms after their extraction; we are always ready to help!

Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions

No one wants a tooth extraction. Your child’s dentist will only ever recommend one if deemed absolutely necessary. One concern you may have about your child’s tooth extraction is the cost. We won’t know exactly how much the cost of their treatment will be until we see your child in person. At that time, we will go over financial information in detail so that you don’t encounter any surprises. In the meantime, here are some things to take into consideration.

Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost

It is very difficult to determine the cost of your child’s extraction until our team has had the chance to examine your child’s smile. Here are the main factors that will contribute to the cost of their treatment:

• Number of Teeth: The more teeth that your child is having extracted, the higher the cost will be.
• Complexity: The more complicated the procedure, the longer it takes. This ultimately means a higher cost.
• Other Treatments: If your child needs another treatment in addition to extraction, like a space maintainer, you should consider this cost as well.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?

In the majority of cases, an extraction is considered to be a major procedure, so approximately 50% is covered after the deductible has been met. However, there could be limits in place or a waiting period before coverage kicks in, and every plan is different, so it is best to confirm this with your insurance company first. We would also be happy to help you with this process. At Woodland Pediatric Dentistry, we are in-network with several dental PPO plans. As a service to our patients, we will submit dental insurance claims on your behalf.

Other Options for Making Tooth Extractions Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you will be left completely on your own. We have an in-house dental plan to help you save on treatments completed at our practice. We also accept payments through CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little-to-no interest. For more information about your financial options, don’t hesitate to give us a call .