Dental Care Fun for Kids

« Back to Home

Getting Dental Extractions? 3 Things To Know

Posted on

Having a tooth removed is more common than you may think. In fact, around 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. While in some cases a tooth falls out on its own, often a dental extraction is needed in order to remove it. Extractions are common when teeth are heavily decayed and after there has been an injury to the tooth. Certain types of illness can also lead to extractions. On occasion, extractions are also done to deal with overcrowding or for cosmetic reasons. If you need a dental extraction, here are three things to know.

There Are Different Types of Extractions

The first thing that you should be aware of when it comes to dental extractions is that there's more than one type. There are two types of dental extractions. Simple extractions are performed on visible teeth and involve having a dentist remove the tooth with forceps. Surgical extractions are used for more complicated scenarios. This type of extraction is often used if the tooth is broken or difficult to remove via simple extraction or if it's still below the gum line. In some instances, a portion of the bone around the tooth needs to be removed as well.

The Cost of Extractions

If you need a dental extraction, chances are you are wondering how much it will cost. Costs can vary depending on what type of extraction is needed, whether or not you have dental insurance, the reason why you are getting an extraction, and also the location of the tooth being extracted. On average, you can expect to pay between $75 and $300 for a simple extraction while a surgical extraction will set you back between $150 and $650. If the extraction is not for cosmetic reasons, dental insurance will typically cover between 70 and 80 percent of the costs.

Healing Time Varies

It's also important to note that how long it will take for you to heal after your extraction can vary depending on what type of extraction was needed, how well you follow your dentist's after care instructions, and also your overall health. Typically, the healing process takes one to two weeks in total. However, if there are any complications, your healing time may take longer. Dry sockets and infection are typical causes of longer healing times.

If you are getting a dental extraction, there are a few things to know. First, there are different types of extractions and you will likely need either a simple extraction or a surgical one. Costs can vary depending on the type of extraction needed and whether or not you have dental insurance. Healing time can also vary, but is typically between one and two weeks.


Share