How Much Does a Tooth Extraction Cost in Surrey, BC?
Getting a tooth extracted is most likely not at the top of your must-do list, but sometimes there are reasons besides wisdom teeth to have an extraction. When that happens, it’s important to have confidence in your dentist’s advice and recommendations, because avoiding the issue is not something you can do for long. Here’s what to expect a tooth extraction to cost in Surrey, BC, and what the process involves.
Reasons for Tooth Extractions
There can be many reasons why you need to get a tooth extracted. These range from tooth decay that is too advanced to be corrected with a filling, to tooth infection or overcrowding of your mouth. Often, patients who get orthodontic treatment such as braces or appliances need to have one or two teeth removed to make space for the other teeth to shift into the ideal position.
Cancer patients, people with immune deficiencies, or anyone scheduled for an organ transplant might require the removal of any compromised teeth that can impact their systemic health. Seniors who have too many dental problems and have chosen to get dentures or dental implants will need their remaining teeth extracted to allow restoration to take place.
Performing a Tooth Extraction
Simple tooth extractions involving one or two visible teeth are typically performed by our family dentist in Surrey. Broken teeth, teeth that are below the gum surface or impacted require a more complex procedure, so we usually refer these patients to an oral surgeon.
During a simple extraction, patients are usually given a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth. This prevents you from feeling pain during the procedure, although you might still experience some pressure when our dentist loosens the tooth and removes it.
A surgical extraction might require dental sedation as well as local numbing, to ensure that you stay calm and relaxed. If you have other medical conditions or are having multiple teeth extracted at the same time, a general anesthetic could be recommended for you.
Cost of a Tooth Extraction
A tooth extraction cost in Surrey BC depends on whether the procedure is a simple extraction or a surgical one. Simple extractions can run from $100 to $300 per tooth, depending on the type of anesthesia required.
Surgical extractions cost significantly more, with sedation adding to the cost. Depending on the number and complexity of the extractions, as well as the area where you live, you could face between $1000 and $5000 for the procedure.
Most dental insurance companies cover a percentage of the cost. Our dentist can give you an official quotation that you can submit for approval before getting the procedure, so you know how much it will cost you personally.
Risks Associated with Tooth Extraction
When you have a tooth extraction performed by our qualified family dentists in Surrey or by a registered denture clinic, the risks are minimal. Typically, after an extraction, a blood clot develops in the socket from where the tooth was removed. It’s important to protect the blood clot to avoid getting what’s known as a dry socket, which can attract infection. If the clot doesn’t form, or it gets dislodged, our dentist will put a protective dressing over it for a few days.
Other rare complications include ongoing bleeding for more than 12 hours, fever and chills that indicate infection, nausea and vomiting, chest pain and difficulty breathing, or swelling and redness at the site of the extraction. If any of these things occur, we suggest contacting our dental team immediately for a consultation.
Recovering from a Tooth Extraction
Most patients recover from a simple extraction in 48 hours, while a surgical extraction can take a few days. Pain is manageable by holding an ice pack to your cheek to reduce swelling and taking over-the-counter painkillers. If you’ve had dental sedation or a general anesthetic, avoid driving and relax for the first 24 hours afterward to give the drugs time to leave your system.
Don’t smoke or drink through a straw or use commercial mouth rinses during this time. For a day or two after the procedure, it’s best to stick to soft foods and liquids that are neither too hot nor too cold.
Getting a tooth (or teeth) removed isn’t a frightening or painful event. Our qualified and experienced team can provide all the information you need about this procedure, including the tooth extraction cost in Surrey BC. Contact us to schedule your consultation today.