Wisdom Tooth Extractions West Palm Beach
When It’s Time to Make Space
The third molars, more commonly known as the wisdom teeth, usually start to come in around the ages of 17-25. For most people, this can lead to problems because they simply don’t have enough room in their mouth for these teeth, which can lead to pain, crowding, and even an infection. At Palm Beach Dental Excellence, we’ll keep an eye on your wisdom teeth so that we can extract them before they cause you any problems, and when it’s time for them to come out, we can handle the procedure right here in our dental office. If you or your teenager need help to determine if wisdom tooth extractions in West Palm Beach are the next step, call to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Palm Beach Dental Excellence for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Most Advanced Dental Technology Available
- We Will File Insurance Claims for Maximum Reimbursement
- Two Forms of Sedation Dentistry
Do My Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Contrary to popular belief, the wisdom teeth do not automatically have to be removed. The only time our team will recommend a wisdom tooth extraction is if they are:
- Decayed and unable to be restored with a filling
- Impacted (stuck) in such a way that it is damaging nearby teeth
- Impacted and causing an infection to the bone and gums
- Causing pain necessitating their removal
- Erupted in a manner that is interfering with the proper alignment of the patient’s bite
You have the option of having the teeth removed in our dental office under local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation and/or anti-anxiety medications, or you can be referred to a trusted oral surgeon.
The Wisdom Tooth Extraction Process
Removing one or more wisdom teeth requires much experience – something Dr. Asinmaz has. If the tooth has erupted even partially, we can use the appropriate instruments to raise it up and gently remove it from its socket. Because it will still be attached, we may need to apply pressure to move it back and forth until it detaches, but you should feel no pain.
If the tooth is beneath the gumline and impacted, a more invasive approach must be taken. We will need to make a small incision in the gums so that we can expose the tooth. Begin careful not to damage the bone, we may need to separate the tooth into pieces and remove each one until the entire wisdom tooth is no longer in the socket.
Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Even if you know that you need to have your wisdom teeth removed in order to restore your comfort and preserve your oral health, it’s still perfectly understandable for you to be interested in knowing how much extractions will cost. While the team at Palm Beach Dental Excellence can’t provide you with a proper price estimate before we see you at our office for your consultation, this guide can help you get a better idea of what to expect. Here’s a quick look at how wisdom tooth extractions are typically priced at our office in West Palm Beach.
Factors That Can Impact the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Each wisdom tooth extraction is different, but the cost of your procedure will probably be determined by factors like:
- How many teeth are being removed: Some people are born with fewer than four wisdom teeth or may not need all of them removed. Each tooth extracted will be noted individually on your bill.
- How the teeth are positioned: Teeth that have not emerged properly from the gums will be more difficult to remove.
- Anesthesia: You will probably be sedated while having your wisdom teeth removed, which incurs a separate cost.
- The complexity of the case: In some especially complex cases, we may have to refer a patient to a specialist who uses a different pricing structure.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
While not all dental insurance plans provide benefits for oral surgery, most cover wisdom tooth extractions at least partially. However, your plan may impose limitations such as a waiting period before it takes effect, a deductible that must be met before it starts covering services, or an annual maximum that defines how much money it can pay in a year. Seeing a dentist who is in network with your insurance provider can be an excellent way to minimize your cost of treatment, and the team at Palm Beach Dental Excellence will be happy to help you understand your policy when we see you at our office.
How to Make Wisdom Tooth Extractions Affordable
The staff at Palm Beach Dental Excellence understands that some of our patients may need a little help making their wisdom tooth extractions affordable. We are proud to partner with CareCredit, a trusted third-party lender that can break a qualifying patient’s bill into easy monthly payments. Our team will be glad to help you navigate your insurance and financing options when we see you at our office.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs
Why do we have wisdom teeth?
While it may seem pointless to have wisdom teeth today, believe it or not they once served an important purpose for our early human ancestors. That’s because centuries ago, early man survived on a diet of raw foods including raw meat, berries, nuts, roots, and leaves. Not only did they not have a way to cut their food, but they also didn’t cook it, either.
Because of this, they needed broader jaws and strong molars to chew them. Thankfully, because of these larger jaws their wisdom teeth rarely caused issues when they erupted.
Today, because we soften nearly all the food we eat by cooking, baking, cutting, or other methods of preparation, our teeth are subject to less wear and tear, and wisdom teeth aren’t necessary.
Experts believe that eating tougher foods, especially during childhood, can stimulate the growth of the jaw, making it more likely that your wisdom teeth will fit. However, this is not as common of a practice today, and as a result most people’s jaws simply aren’t wide enough to accommodate wisdom teeth when they erupt. Naturally, this causes more harm than good and usually requires wisdom tooth extractions in Palm Beach to be corrected.
Does everyone have wisdom teeth?
Although most people will eventually develop a total of four wisdom teeth, some people end up missing at least one, while others have none at all! In fact, a 2015 article published in the Dental Research Journal found that between 5 and 37 percent of people are missing at least one wisdom tooth.
Nobody really knows why some people never get all four wisdom teeth, but genetics could be to blame. If your parents are missing at least one, you may be as well.
However, just because you can’t see your wisdom teeth doesn’t mean they’re not there. A dental X-ray is usually the best way to determine how many wisdom teeth you really have.
Most people get their wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 21, although many get them earlier or later.
What’s the best age to get wisdom teeth removed?
There’s no specific, ideal age to get your wisdom teeth removed. However, most dentists recommend extracting them during early adulthood.
Although they can be removed later in life, the procedure and recovery are much easier when you’re younger. That’s because as you age, the roots of your wisdom teeth grow longer and more embedded in your jaw, making the procedure more complicated. It can also make healing from the extraction take longer, too.
Furthermore, scheduling your wisdom tooth extractions in Palm Beach is often much easier for patients who are still in high school or college, as they can plan their surgery and recovery around a long weekend or school break.
If your dentist recommends wisdom tooth extraction, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later to avoid any unnecessary risks like impaction, decay, cysts, and damage to your other teeth.
When can I use a straw after wisdom teeth removal?
Drinking through a straw creates suction force which can dislodge the blood clot forming over your tooth extraction site, causing a painful condition called dry socket.
The exact length of time you should wait until it’s safe to use a straw again will vary depending on your age, medical history, rate of healing, and other factors. However, the consensus among dentists is typically to wait at least two to three days.
Your dentist can give you a more accurate, personalized recommendation based on your specific circumstances.