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Free Yourself of Teeth You Don’t Need
Wisdom teeth are an unpleasant rite of passage. Most people will have to deal with them at some point in their life and will often struggle with the unpleasantries that they entail. Impactions, misalignment, and even infections can all come with the arrival of wisdom teeth.
Thankfully, wisdom teeth extractions are no problem for the team here at Drew Beaty DDS. If you’re near Federal Way, WA, we’ll be happy to free you of teeth you don’t need! Make an appointment with us and we’ll be happy to bring you in for a consultation.
Why Choose Drew Beaty DDS for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Comfortable Office and Friendly Dental Team
- Sedation Available to Maximize Your Comfort
- Experienced Dentists Who Will Personalize Your Care
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to arrive, sprouting in the very back of the mouth sometime in late adulthood. It’s thought that they’re a relic from a period of human history when our ancestors lost many of their teeth before their twenties; however, this is no longer the case for most people.
Most people are born with four wisdom teeth, though some people are born with three, two, one, or none at all.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Wisdom teeth themselves aren’t necessarily a problem—they’re a normal molar, just like any other. However, their late arrival often causes problems for patients. Wisdom teeth often lead to overcrowding, and they can even become impacted or fail to emerge completely. These teeth also tend to be difficult to clean, which means that they’re unusually susceptible to infection.
Some people have their wisdom teeth come in without any issues, particularly if they had bicuspids removed before orthodontic treatment. However, if you notice any of the above issues, taking yours out is probably a good idea.
What to Expect From the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
What wisdom tooth extractions entail depends on the nature of teeth themselves. If they’ve mostly emerged, the process will be similar to any other tooth extraction. This will involve numbing the tooth completely, then using a tool called an elevator to lift the tooth from the socket before removing it with forceps.
If the wisdom teeth are impacted, surgical removal may be necessary. Depending on its complexity, we can either complete this in-house or refer you to an external specialist.
Recovering From Wisdom Teeth Extraction
After your wisdom tooth has been removed, it’s common to be pretty sore for a few days. This may be accompanied by facial swelling and some bleeding, though these should fade fairly quickly.
While you’re healing, it’s important to do what you can not to disturb the wound. Many patients adopt a soft food diet, which reduces the risks associated with excessive chewing. It’s also important not to drink anything through a straw or spit excessively, as this can lead to dry socket.
Take any pain medications you’ve been prescribed precisely as directed, and rely on over-the-counter pain medicine when necessary. If you run into any issues, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Wisdom tooth extractions can be intimidating, but we can assure you that the treatment is a breeze. If you need one, make an appointment with us—you’ll be glad you did!
Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Now that you know more about the process of having your wisdom teeth extracted in Federal Way, you may be curious about how much this procedure costs. There’s no one price because everyone’s circumstances are unique, so it varies from person to person. Our team is happy to provide a detailed estimate once you’ve had a consultation appointment with one of our dentists.
In the meantime, continue reading below to learn more about what impacts the final amount due, and feel free to contact us with further questions or to schedule an appointment.
Factors That Can Impact the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Several different things can influence the total owed for your wisdom tooth extractions, including:
- The number of teeth being removed. Some people have all four wisdom teeth, while others are only born with one, two, or three. Each tooth extracted has associated fees.
- The type of extraction. If your last molar has fully erupted from your gumline, our team can potentially extract it with forceps. If it’s impacted or hasn’t fully emerged above your gums, then you might require a surgical extraction that comes with additional costs.
- The kind of anesthesia/sedation involved. Those having surgical extractions will likely be given additional sedatives or anesthesia, which increases the total amount due.
- Who performs the extraction? We can handle many cases onsite, but if your situation is too complex for us to complete the procedure successfully in the office, we may need to refer you to a specialist, who you will pay for separately.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
If you’re worried about paying for your wisdom tooth extractions and have dental insurance, you may be in luck. Many (though not all) policies have provisions for at least a portion of the cost of wisdom tooth extractions. There may be restrictions that apply, however, so be sure to check the details of your plan to verify what’s covered. For example, you’ll have to meet your annual deductible before benefits kick in, and you may also have to wait a certain length of time before special procedures can be performed. Even then, there may be a limit on how many teeth can be treated.
If you’re unsure what your insurance includes, don’t hesitate to ask our friendly office staff for help. They’re familiar with many providers and are happy to help you maximize your benefits.
How to Make Wisdom Tooth Extractions Affordable
We understand that not everyone can pay for a regular dental insurance policy, and we don’t want your budget to hold you back from getting the treatments you need. That’s why we offer the following options to help you pay for your wisdom tooth extractions:
Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs
Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?
Many patients are worried that the procedure will come with a great deal of pain. Don’t worry – that’s not the case. That’s because the first step – whether your wisdom teeth have broken through the gumline or they are stuck underneath – is to numb your mouth with a local anesthetic.
How Do You Make Wisdom Teeth Pain Go Away?
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to alleviate your pain in the short-term, like using a cold compress, rinsing with a saltwater solution periodically, sticking to soft foods, and taking OTC pain medication as directed. For long-term relief, however, you need to have them removed.
How Should I Prepare for My Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
There are a few things you can do to prepare for both the procedure and your recovery. A few examples include not using tobacco products beforehand, wearing soft, comfortable clothes, and arranging for a trusted adult to drive you home from your appointment. We also encourage our patients to purchase everything they need ahead of time (i.e., over-the-counter pain medication, soft foods, cold compresses) so they don’t need to go to the store immediately following their tooth extraction.
Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed If They Don’t Hurt?
If your teeth are impacted or are growing in sideways, then there’s a good chance that they will cause a great deal of discomfort. However, that may not be the case if they are growing in straight. In that scenario, we need to make sure that there is enough room in your mouth to accommodate them. If there isn’t, then you’re more likely to experience complications like cysts or an infection, and we want to remove your third set of molars before that happens.
What Can I Eat After Wisdom Tooth Surgery?
Since your mouth will be numb, it’s important that you don’t eat right away. Once you fully regain sensation, you should avoid crunchy, hard, spicy, and acidic foods entirely. Instead, you should fill up on plain yogurt, applesauce, and fruit smoothies that don’t have seeds.
Tip: Keep a bottle of water close by! Staying hydrated will help with the recovery process and prevent food particles, plaque, and other debris from lingering on your teeth. Just make sure that you don’t use a straw.
How Do You Sleep After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Sleeping soundly can be challenging in the days following your procedure. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help. The first is taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication before bed (following the directions on the label, of course). The second is using a cold compress for 20 minutes at a time to help numb the area and alleviate inflammation. The third is keeping your head elevated so blood doesn’t rush to your head during the night.
Note: Having someone stay with you the first night is often recommended so they can check the gauze pads, get you anything you need, and make sure you’re resting as comfortably as possible.