Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Dallas, TX
Wisdom Tooth Removal Made Easy
At Midtown Family Dentistry of Dallas, we’re happy to treat patients of all ages and whole families! This includes teenagers and young adults, who may be experiencing the eruption of their wisdom teeth. While a patient’s mouth may be able to accommodate these late arrivals, this isn’t usually the case and wisdom teeth often threaten the continuing health of surrounding teeth. In order to prevent these issues, our dentists may recommend an extraction procedure. If you or your child is in need of help, don’t hesitate to contact our dental office to schedule an evaluation to learn more about wisdom tooth extractions in Dallas, TX.
Why Choose Midtown Family Dentistry of Dallas for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Calm & Welcoming Dental Office
- Sedation Dentistry for Fear-Free Treatment
- Experienced & Compassionate Dentists
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Like many patients, you may have heard of wisdom teeth over the years, even though you aren’t exactly sure what they are. The short answer is that wisdom teeth are the third set of molars. Since they typically don’t make an appearance until young adulthood (most often between the ages of 16 through 25), they’ve earned the nickname “wisdom” teeth.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Since your molars serve an important purpose, you might be wondering why wisdom teeth need to be removed. They don’t always! However, there are some cases where there simply isn’t enough room, or where the third set of molars would cause problems, like an increased risk of tooth decay. If that’s the case for you, then we recommend having them removed in order to preserve the look, health, and function of your smile.
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
Depending on the circumstances at hand, the removal of wisdom teeth can be very simple or more complex in nature. It depends on how exposed the wisdom teeth are and whether or not they’re impacted (trapped underneath the jaw and gum tissue), which will require some additional incisions for a safe extraction process. We may also need to break down the tooth into several pieces as well. Rest assured that our team will always make patient comfort a top priority before beginning any procedure.
Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction
You might think of watching Netflix and eating ice cream when you think of recovering from wisdom tooth extractions. While getting rest is certainly important, it’s also crucial that you:
- Change the gauze as needed
- Take OTC pain medication as directed
- Use a cold compress to alleviate inflammation
- Keep your mouth clean
- Eat soft, healthy foods, like oatmeal and scrambled eggs
- Don’t spit, smoke, or use a straw
If you’d like additional information on wisdom tooth extractions, including the factors that play a role in the cost, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Dallas dental team!
Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Although an estimated 85% of people need to have their wisdom teeth removed at some point in their lifetime, not everyone will pay the same amount. Several variables play a part in determining the total owed, so it depends on your unique circumstances. Once you’ve had a consultation with one of our dentists, we can provide a detailed estimate and walk you through the pricing. Continue reading below to learn more about how the cost is determined, and feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions.
Factors That Can Impact the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
During your consultation appointment, our team will gather information about your dental and medical history as well as perform an oral examination to determine the condition of your teeth. When we have a better understanding of what we’re working with, then we can share an anticipated cost. Some things that influence the amount due include:
- The location of the tooth. Front teeth are easier to access than the ones located in the back of your mouth, which means they require less time and effort to remove and tend to cost less.
- The number of teeth being removed. You’ll pay more to have multiple teeth taken out than someone who only requires one.
- The type of procedure required. Simple extractions involve applying a topical anesthetic and then using special instruments to withdraw your tooth. If it’s impacted or partially erupted, you may require a surgical extraction that comes with additional expenditures.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
Many dental insurance policies contribute 50% of the cost of your wisdom tooth removal. Every plan is different, however, so you should check to see what’s included with yours. You should also find out whether there are additional restrictions like a limitation on how many teeth can be treated or a waiting period that needs to pass before coverage kicks in, for example. If you’re unsure what benefits are available to you, feel free to ask our friendly office staff for help. They’re familiar with many different providers and are happy to help you make the most of your plan.
How to Make Wisdom Tooth Extractions Affordable
We know that not everyone has access to dental insurance, but we don’t want your budget to keep you from getting the care you deserve. We’re happy to work with you to ensure that you can manage the cost your tooth extraction, and offer additional support through:
- Flexible financing. We’ve partnered with 3rd party financers like CareCredit and Sunbit, which allow you to break up your payment into more manageable installments.
- In-house memberships. Our dental memberships include some basic preventative care measures in addition to 20% off various treatments.
If you’d like help with any of the paperwork to register for these programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll gladly help walk you through the process to help you make your tooth extractions more affordable.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs
If you or your child is in need of wisdom tooth extractions, our Dallas dental team is prepared to evaluate the situation and perform the required treatment. Prior to scheduling a consultation, though, we understand if you want to learn as much as possible about the extraction procedure and what to expect from it. Below, you will find answers to some common questions. If your particular points of interest are not included here, give us a call. We look forward to talking with you!
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
For modern humans, wisdom teeth seem to be nothing but a nuisance. However, evidence indicates that the third molars were highly beneficial for ancient human ancestors. The earliest humans consumed a rough diet of items like raw meat, nuts, roots, and leaves. There were basically no effective ways to process food. Therefore, people needed extra-tough teeth. The third molars, which develop around the time of adolescence, were important for helping them chew foods.
The genetic code that dictates the development of wisdom teeth has been passed on from those early humans. However, people’s mouth’s have gotten progressively smaller over time, and food processing techniques have greatly improved. Therefore, wisdom teeth are largely considered vestigial nowadays.
Why Are Wisdom Teeth Called That?
The name “wisdom teeth” might seem counterintuitive for the third molars, especially since they tend to cause so many problems. However, their name does not come from what they do. Rather, it comes from when they erupt. They tend to develop when a person is in their late adolescence or early adulthood. Therefore, they come at a time when individuals are older and hopefully wiser than they were in their earlier years.
Does Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth?
According to one estimate, somewhere between 5% and 37% of people are missing at least one of their third molars. Genetics may play a large role in determining whether or not an individual gets wisdom teeth.
Of course, even if you cannot see or feel your wisdom teeth, that does not mean you do not have any. They might be stuck beneath the gumline. If you are young, it is possible that they have not yet developed. Regular dental X-rays can show you whether you have these teeth and if you need to get them removed.
What Is the Best Age to Get Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Many people get their wisdom teeth removed when they are in their late teens or early 20s. Extractions during that age range tend to be easier than they are a bit later in life.
Of course, there are no hard and fast rules about when it is best to get the wisdom teeth extracted. If you are in your 30s, 40s, or older, and you suspect that your third molars are posing a threat to your oral health, it is not too late to get them taken out. Our team has performed successful wisdom tooth extractions for patients of many different ages.
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