4540 Ross Ave Ste 140, Dallas, TX 75204
(469) 210-7223Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Dallas, TX
Safe & Comfortable
Wisdom Teeth Care
While the wisdom teeth were very useful for our ancestors, these days, they tend to only cause problems. Fortunately, if you or your child are around the age when they usually start to come in (17-25), Ross Avenue Family Dental of Dallas can provide the comfortable and effective wisdom tooth extractions right here in Dallas, TX. We know how to make the treatment process seamless so that this rite of passage is as short as possible.
Why Choose Ross Avenue Family Dental of Dallas for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
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Open Saturdays
& Evenings -
PPO Dental Insurance
& Medicaid Accepted -
Dental Sedation
Available
When is a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Really Necessary?
Sometimes, the wisdom teeth come in just like regular teeth and don’t cause any issues. However, this is fairly rare. Most of the time, they need to be extracted because they are:
- Causing pain toward the back of the mouth
- Pressing on the nearby teeth
- Changing how the bite fits together
- Creating a gum flap that is trapping food and bacteria
- Developing frequent cavities
- Developing infections or cysts
Wisdom Tooth Extraction Aftercare
A wisdom tooth extraction is minor oral surgery, so following the right aftercare protocols is very important. The day of the procedure, the patient needs to take the rest of it off and not move around too much. This will allow the treatment area(s) to clot and heal properly. To that end, spitting, drinking with a straw, and brushing the teeth should be avoided for the first 24 hours as well. A patient should stick to a soft food diet for a week or so, which is why we recommend stocking up on items like yogurt, pudding, soup, and similar ones before the procedure.
The Wisdom Tooth Removal Process
After you settle comfortably into the treatment chair, we’ll numb your mouth so you can continue to relax. Then, when you’re ready to begin, we will make an incision in your gums to access the tooth. From there, we will remove it section by section and tend to the extraction site. Of course, if your wisdom teeth have broken through the gumline already, then that’s not necessary. In that case, we can grip the tooth, rock it back and forth, and remove it before cleaning the extraction site and stitching the wound closed.
Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
When you need a wisdom tooth extraction, you’re likely focused on getting care so your discomfort can be removed. And that’s the way it should be! At Ross Avenue Family Dental, we don’t want you to have to worry about affording treatment. Below, you’ll find information about the costs involved in a wisdom tooth extraction. While we can’t give you an estimate until we get a better sense of your needs, we can provide an overview of ways you can save money at our practice. If you have any questions, be sure to give us a call!
Factors That Can Impact the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
The reason it’s difficult to pin down a cost estimate before seeing you for a consultation is that there are several factors that can impact the cost of wisdom tooth extractions. For example:
- If you only need one tooth removed, that’s generally cheaper than extracting multiple.
- We’re happy to perform simple extractions, but surgical extractions are more complicated and often require the services of a specialist.
- Including dental sedation in your treatment plan can help you have a positive experience – just keep in mind that this will add to your overall expenses.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
Fortunately, most dental insurance plans cover at least part of the costs of wisdom tooth extractions, and we accept the vast majority of policies, including Medicaid and CHIP! If you’d like help understanding your benefits and the details of your plan, just let us know. We’re happy to review the fine print and make sure our patients are getting the most out of their premiums!
How to Make Wisdom Tooth Extractions More Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, there are still ways we can help make your tooth extraction in Dallas more affordable. We partner with both CareCredit and Sunbit; third-party financiers who offer several little-to-no-interest flexible payment plans. Basically, this means you can break down your total bill into smaller, more manageable monthly installments. Many of our patients appreciate the option to pay at their own pace!
Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs
Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?
You can rest easy knowing that having your wisdom teeth removed won’t hurt. There are two reasons for this. The first is that we will numb your mouth prior to the procedure, ensuring you don’t feel any pain or discomfort in the treatment chair. The second is that we’ll provide you with aftercare instructions to prevent sensitivity and soreness from arising after you return home, like using a cold compress, avoiding crunchy foods, taking OTC pain medication, and getting lots of rest.
How Soon Can I Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
You need to wait until the bleeding slows down and the numbing agent wears off. Usually, that’s around two hours. Following that period of time, it’s crucial that you don’t eat popcorn, potato chips, or any other crunchy foods. Instead, eat only soft foods, like seedless fruit smoothies, plain yogurt, and pudding. Around a week after your procedure, you should get the green light to resume your usual diet.
What Happens If You Smoke After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
The reason patients are instructed not to smoke leading up to their procedure and for weeks afterward is because doing so can lead to a painful condition called a dry socket (which is when the blood clot forming over the surgical site is dislodged). In other words, if you want the healing period to go as smoothly and painlessly as possible, it’s of the utmost importance that you don’t use tobacco of any kind, including chewing tobacco.
Important note: If you’ve had trouble quitting smoking, don’t hesitate to let us know! We can share what has worked for patients in the past, and we can even point you to resources that will help you kick the habit for good. Rest assured, we’re not here to judge. We simply want to set you up for success!
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
If you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, you might be wondering why you even have them in the first place. In short, they benefited our ancestors! Since their diet consisted primarily of raw foods, including nuts and roots, they relied on their third set of molars. Today, our diets and oral hygiene regimens look vastly different, so they are often more harmful than helpful. The good news is that we can extract them painlessly with the help of powerful numbing agents and detailed aftercare instructions.
Does Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth?
Although most patients have all four wisdom teeth, there are some who are missing at least one. In fact, an article published in the Dental Research Journal shared that’s the case for upwards of 37% of people! That’s one of the reasons we take X-rays at least once a year. The detailed images allow us to monitor the development of your third set of molars (if you have them) as well as whether they have the potential to negatively impact your oral health.
How Should I Prepare for My Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
There are a few steps we recommend taking prior to your procedure, starting with not smoking or drinking alcohol. It’s also a good idea to arrange for someone you know and trust to drive you to and from your appointment, especially if you’re being sedated. Outside of that, just focus on stocking your home with everything you need for the recovery period, like over-the-counter pain medication and soft foods.
Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed If They Don’t Hurt?
If you aren’t dealing with a dull, consistent throbbing stemming from your jaw, you might be wondering if having your wisdom teeth removed is really necessary. The short answer is “yes.” After all, you could be at an increased risk of serious oral health problems, including cysts, even if you aren’t in pain. Plus, we want to intervene before you are in immense pain. To put it simply, we only recommend this emergency dentistry treatment when it’s absolutely necessary.
When Can I Use a Straw After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Since drinking through a straw can dislodge the blood clot forming over the extraction site, we strongly advise against it. We also don’t recommend smoking, spitting, or eating crunchy foods, like hard pretzels. Instead, do what you can to avoid a dry socket, sticking to a liquid diet immediately following the procedure.
How Do You Sleep After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Soreness, sensitivity, and discomfort are very normal after having your wisdom teeth removed. Fortunately, that’s where your aftercare instructions come in; the following steps can help you sleep soundly throughout the night:
- Take prescribed or OTC pain medication as directed
- Eat only extremely soft foods, like pudding, applesauce, and plain yogurt
- Change the gauze as needed
- Use a cold compress or towel-wrapped icepack for 10 minutes at a time
- Keep your head elevated while you sleep with a few pillows