Tooth Extraction Birmingham Al
Having a tooth removed may sound daunting, but it’s actually very common—and can be very necessary for improving oral health.
While saving your natural teeth is always ideal, tooth extraction may be recommended for many reasons. Whether your tooth is already posing a problem, or extraction is a preventative measure prescribed by your provider, our Birmingham, Alabama-based team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons is ready to assist.
Call our Birmingham, AL, Southside office today at (205) 933-1331 to schedule your tooth extraction appointment.
Common Reasons for Tooth Extractions
Strong, healthy teeth are not only important for chewing, speaking and smiling, but they also play an important role in dental and jaw bone health. Retaining natural teeth is always our goal. But when a tooth is putting your overall oral health at risk, it’s wise to consider extraction.
Why Tooth Extraction
An untreated problem tooth or dental issue will not only cause pain and poor function, but it will worsen over time, requiring more extensive and costly treatment.
A tooth extraction may be performed at our Birmingham office to offset several causes of tooth decline and discomfort:
- Broken TeethA tooth that is fractured beyond repair and unable to be mended with a root canal or other restoration methods should undergo extraction. This prevents pain, preserves your smile and protects your dental health.
- Cavities and Decayed TeethWe will first attempt to restore the natural tooth damaged by decay. In some instances, however, a severely decayed tooth affects other teeth and tissue and is quite painful. Teeth affected to this degree should be extracted.
- Dental InfectionsA root canal can oftentimes combat an infected tooth. Unfortunately, sometimes we are unable to save the tooth and a tooth extraction is indicated.
- Periodontal disease
- Bone loss near the tooth
- Injury to the tooth or surrounding bone
Sometimes tooth extractions are preventative or are recommended in preparation for other dental or orthodontic procedures:
- Teeth AlignmentOvercrowding of teeth, smaller jaws, and lack of space impede proper teeth alignment. Teeth extraction may be important for creating adequate space in the mouth.
- Pre-OrthodonticsOftentimes, desired alignment and cosmetic changes must be achieved with orthodontia, like braces. Tooth extraction may provide the required space for orthodontia installation and success.
- Pre-DenturesIf you are having implant-supported dentures placed, additional space will often need to be created for appropriate implant placement. Tooth extraction is required in many cases.
- Pre-Oral SurgerySome oral surgeries, such as surgery to realign or correct the jaw, may necessitate tooth extraction as a first step.
- Impacted Wisdom TeethWhether they are symptomatic or not, impacted wisdom teeth pose many dental health threats, including infection, crowding, and pain, and should be extracted. This is routinely done in the teenage years the to early twenties.
- Removal of stubborn baby teeth
- Cosmetic dentistry needs
Tooth Extraction Consultation
Before performing a tooth extraction, we will conduct a thorough exam at our Birmingham office and obtain x-rays of your tooth and root. We’ll assess the shape, size, location, and position of the affected tooth, and we’ll discuss tooth replacement options with you if applicable.
Reach out to our Birmingham, AL, Southside office today at (205) 933-1331 and schedule your tooth extraction appointment.
Tooth Extraction Procedure
Same-Day Services
In the event of an emergency, tooth extractions can sometimes be done on a same-day basis.
Simple Extraction Procedure
Simple tooth extraction involves removing a tooth that is easily visible above the gum line, is readily accessible, and able to be detached in one piece.
Surgical Extraction Procedure
Surgical tooth extraction is more invasive and may require cutting into the surrounding tissue and sectioning the tooth into smaller pieces for removal.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
When wisdom tooth impaction occurs, surgical removal is required and should only be performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Impacted wisdom teeth should be removed before their root structures are fully developed, as problems begin to occur with increasing frequency over time.
Anesthesia and Pain Control
Having a tooth extracted may be unsettling, causing fear and anxiety. We prioritize making you comfortable and controlling your pain. There are several options for calming your nerves during the extraction:
- Local anesthesia
- A combination of nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” and local anesthesia
- General anesthesia, in some cases
After Tooth Extraction Procedure
After extraction, you may experience pain and swelling and have difficulty eating and speaking. We will provide medication and recommend pain relief measures. If you’ve been suffering from an achy tooth for an extended period of time, you may experience immediate relief.
Tooth Replacement Options
Not only can a missing tooth make it difficult to chew, speak or smile, but it’s also actually important not to leave the space empty.
An absent tooth can cause neighboring teeth to shift out of alignment due to the lack of structural support. As soon as you lose a natural tooth, bone loss begins. Generally, people lose 25% of their supporting jaw bone structure within the first year after tooth extraction or loss.
The jaw bone will deteriorate, and lacking the proper support of teeth and bones, facial appearance will be altered.
Dental Implants
To prevent this, we typically follow tooth extractions with restorative or cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as dental implants. In some cases, an existing partial denture can still be used. Or, dental implant surgery may be considered, in which a new dental implant or implant-supported denture will be placed. Implant-supported dentures are a healthy and natural-looking teeth replacement option.
A dental implant is made of a titanium support post that is placed securely into your jaw, and it forms a foundation for either the replacement tooth or a dental bridge. Used when more than one tooth has been extracted, a bridge is a dental prosthetic that connects an artificial tooth or a set of teeth to nearby teeth or implants.
Avoid Emergency Room Visits
While you may be tempted to visit an emergency room during an intense period of tooth pain, it’s best to contact your dentist or oral surgeon.
Emergency rooms are not equipped to assist you with dental or oral needs, and in fact, emergency medical providers are prohibited by law from performing dental procedures, including teeth extractions.
Remember, most emergency dental conditions can be prevented with regular office visits, diagnostics that monitor teeth development, and proper oral hygiene.
Problems with the teeth or jaw make up a majority of “avoidable” emergency room visits in Birmingham, meaning the patient is discharged without receiving treatment, diagnostic tests, or medications.
In addition, many health insurance plans do not offer dental coverage, so visiting the emergency room may incur high hospital fees. You exceed the cost of treatment by an oral surgeon and receive no relief.
Instead, it’s pertinent that you stay on top of your oral health. Proper diagnosis and treatment by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon can prevent unwanted emergency room visits.
Have a tooth that needs extracting? Call our Birmingham, AL, Southside office today at (205) 933-1331 to schedule your tooth extraction appointment.
Tooth Extraction Cost and Insurance Coverage
We aim to provide accurate estimates of all the expenses involved in the tooth extraction process. We will evaluate your insurance coverage and discuss your options with you at your appointment.
Note: consider your personal financial investment for treatment, as some insurance companies provide limited or no coverage.
We recommend you factor in the cost of each of these steps:
- Exams and office visits
- X-rays
- The extent of your treatment and type of extraction
- Anesthesia
- Post-extraction tooth replacement, such as dental implants, crowns, and bridges
Why Should I Avoid an Emergency Room Visit for a Dental Issue?
Because most health insurance carriers do not feature dental coverage, patients visiting an ER with a dental issue will face an average hospital bill of $765 only to experience inadequate care and be referred to a dentist for long-term treatment. Choosing to visit an ER amounts to incurring an exorbitant bill without receiving sufficient care, and often a single ER visit can cost as much as years of preventative treatment. To have a tooth extraction in Birmingham, Alabama, your only option is to schedule an appointment with a dentist or an oral surgeon who can make an accurate diagnosis, determine your needs, and perform any necessary procedures. If a tooth is so painful that causes a patient to want to visit an emergency room, most of the time the tooth is so bad, it needs to be extracted.
Tooth Extractions in Birmingham, Alabama
If you are experiencing dental pain from damaged or decayed teeth or an impacted wisdom tooth, forego an expensive and ultimately unhelpful visit to the emergency room by contacting Buck and Phillips Oral Surgery in Birmingham, AL. An untreated dental issue not only causes pain and reduced function, but it will also continue to worsen over time and require more extensive costly treatment. Our expert team provides comprehensive, compassionate, and personalized patient care, offering a full range of services and the best oral surgery in Birmingham, Alabama. We know many patients suffer from dental anxiety, so we maintain a strong commitment to making your experience as comfortable and painless as possible. To discuss your treatment options, contact us online today.