Tooth Extractions – Rio Rancho, NM

Gentle & Compassionate Tooth Removal

Woman holding her extracted tooth and making thumbs up gesture

Dr. Ranjbaran and our team always strive to help patients retain their natural smile. However, some circumstances can arise that make it necessary for us to remove one or more teeth. If you need to undergo tooth extractions, be assured that we will handle the procedure with gentleness and compassion. Our goal is to get your oral health back on track as efficiently as possible! Contact our Rio Rancho office today to learn more about this restorative procedure .

Why Choose Southwest Dental for Tooth Extractions?

  • Sedation Available to Enhance Patient Comfort
  • Empathetic & Compassionate Dental Team
  • Able to Remove Wisdom Teeth

Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

Man sitting on sofa, suffering from a toothache

There are several reasons why Dr. R may recommend that one or more teeth be removed:

  • A tooth is so damaged or decayed that it would be impossible or impractical to preserve it.
  • More space is necessary in the mouth for dentures or orthodontia.
  • One of a child’s primary (baby) teeth has overstayed its welcome and may pose a threat to incoming adult teeth.
  • A tooth is impacted (this is often true of wisdom teeth).
  • A tooth is infected, and removing it is the best way to prevent the infection from spreading into nearby tissues.
  • Severe gum disease has caused one or more teeth to become loose.

The Process of Removing a Tooth

Gloved hand holding dental forceps and extracted tooth

Tooth removal is usually a straightforward procedure. First, we numb your mouth. In some cases, we also administer sedation. Once you are comfortable, we use an instrument called an elevator to lift the tooth out of its socket. Next, we grip the tooth with forceps and wiggle it back and forth to break the connective tissues holding it in place. To finish, we clean out the socket and place gauze to control bleeding.

If a tooth is impacted or there are other complicating factors, the procedure may require that we create incisions in the gums or break the tooth into pieces in order to remove it.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Woman reclining on sofa, relaxing at home

Here are some steps you can take to facilitate a smooth recovery after your extraction procedure:

  • Take any medications as prescribed by our team.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Do not drink through a straw.
  • Keep your head propped up with pillows while you sleep.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Eat a soft diet.
  • After the first 24 hours, regularly rinse your mouth with warm salt water.

You should also be sure to attend all recommended follow-up appointments. In all likelihood, timely tooth replacement will be necessary to protect your long-term oral health. A bridge or dental implant may be able to prevent issues like dental drift and future tooth loss.

Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions

Man sitting in dental chair and smiling

When you are told that you need to have a tooth removed, you may be concerned about the cost of the procedure. The price of tooth extraction isn’t exactly the same for every patient due to the many factors that need to be taken into account, but don’t worry; we will always be transparent with you regarding the cost of your care, and we’re ready to help you find the best way to make your treatment as affordable as possible.

Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost

Forceps holding an extracted tooth

Here are some of the questions our team will need to find answers to when trying to put together an estimate for your tooth extraction:

  • Where is the Tooth in Question Located?: Typically, an extraction involving the back teeth costs more than an extraction involving the front teeth. This can be attributed to the fact that back teeth are usually harder to remove due to the thickness of the jawbone and the number of roots they have.
  • How Many Teeth Are Being Removed?: You may have more than one tooth that needs to be taken out of your mouth, which can increase the overall cost of the procedure.
  • What Kind of Extraction Will Be Performed?: Tooth extractions can be classified as either simple or surgical. As you can probably guess, a surgical extraction will generally cost more.
  • Will Sedation Be Used?: Sedation dentistry can help you stay calm and comfortable during your tooth extraction. If you choose to have sedation dentistry administered, it will add to the overall cost.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?

Pen and glasses lying on top of dental benefits claim form

When it comes to dental insurance, it never pays to make any kind of assumptions. You should always double-check your plan to make sure that the procedure in question is covered, and you should have a firm idea of how much your dental insurance company will pay as well as what your out-of-pocket costs will be. Our team can review your benefits with you if there’s anything you’re unsure of.

The good news is that you can usually expect dental insurance to provide at least some coverage for a tooth extraction. Many insurance companies will pay around 50% of the cost of the procedure, although this is before variables such as your annual deductible have been taken into account.

How to Make Tooth Extractions Affordable

Female dental patient giving a thumbs up

While we accept many dental insurance plans, we also realize that not all of our patients are insured in the first place. As such, we’re happy to partner with CareCredit, a third-party financing company that’s trusted by dentists all across the country. CareCredit lets you break up the cost of your dental care into monthly installments; it doesn’t come with any surprise fees, and there’s little to no interest to worry about. Please call us if you would like to learn more about CareCredit.