Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Deerfield, IL

What are Wisdom Teeth?

As we touched on above, wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, which typically make an appearance between the ages of 16 and 25. For our ancestors, they were necessary because of their diets and poor oral hygiene. However, they often are more harmful than helpful today.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

Contrary to popular belief, wisdom teeth don’t ALWAYS have to be removed. If they’re healthy, they can be a long-term part of any smile! Unfortunately, this is not often the case. This specific set of teeth usually doesn’t have enough room to erupt properly, which can cause discomfort and threaten a patient’s oral health. They can potentially press on the nearby teeth or start to come in at an odd angle. Plus, they can create a flap in the gums that easily gathers food debris and bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities.

What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure

On the day of your appointment, we’ll welcome you into our office, have you fill out any relevant paperwork, and take you back to the treatment room. Whether you’re having one wisdom tooth removed or all of them, the first step is always the same: thoroughly numbing the area of your mouth that we’ll be working on. Once you can’t feel anything, we’ll use special instruments to gently remove your wisdom teeth.

Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Our patients can rest easy knowing that we prioritize their comfort throughout the extraction process. Once one or more wisdom teeth have been removed, some minor discomfort, swelling, and bleeding are expected. These symptoms should subside after a week or so – if they don’t, go ahead and contact us!

Here are some helpful tips for how to recover from the procedure smoothly at home:

• Avoid direct contact with the treatment site, and do not vigorously rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours.
• Apply a cold compress to the cheek outside of the surgery site to help reduce swelling.
• Stick to soft foods, drink plenty of liquids, and avoid using straws (the suction may accidentally dislodge blood clots).
• Take prescribed pain medications when you begin to feel discomfort.

If you want to learn more about wisdom teeth extractions or any of our other dental services, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions

It’s perfectly reasonable to want to know how much you can expect to pay for a needed wisdom tooth extraction. During your consultation at our Deerfield office, Dr. Jacob and his staff will carefully explain the associated costs and help you navigate your insurance and financing options so you can get the care you need. Here’s a brief guide to how wisdom tooth extractions are priced, but please feel free to contact our office if you’d like to know more.

Factors That Can Impact the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions

The cost of your wisdom tooth extraction depends mostly on several factors that will be thoroughly discussed during your consultation. These include:

• The number of teeth being extracted: Some people are born with fewer than four wisdom teeth, and some individuals may not need all of theirs removed. Each tooth extracted will be represented on your bill.
• Impaction of the wisdom teeth: Impacted wisdom teeth grow in sideways or remain partially or fully submerged in the gum tissue. In some cases, a tooth may remain embedded in the jawbone. Removing these teeth is a more complicated and costly process than simple extractions.
• The type of anesthesia used: The cost of the anesthetic used during your extraction will be noted on your bill.
• The need for an outside specialist: It may be necessary to refer you to an outside oral surgeon if you need an especially complex extraction. This specialist may use a different pricing structure than we do.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extractions?

Most dental insurance plans will at least partially cover the cost of wisdom tooth extractions depending on whether you have met your deductible or maximum for the year. Choosing an in-network provider can help you minimize your out-of-pocket costs, and we’ll be happy to help you understand the details of your insurance plan during your consultation.

How to Make Wisdom Tooth Extractions Affordable

We understand that even patients who are uninsured or underinsured may need wisdom tooth extractions, so we offer several options that can help make these procedures more affordable. These include:

• Financing: We partner with CareCredit to offer our patients flexible financing options that can break their bills into small monthly installments that are easy to manage.
• In-house membership plan: For a low monthly or annual fee, you can receive necessary oral procedures without any maximums, deductibles, or waiting periods. Contact our office to learn more.