

It’s estimated that 20 to 25 percent of people are born with anywhere from one to three wisdom teeth, while 35 percent are born without any. These teeth typically grow into your mouth between the ages of 17 and 25, and many dentists suggest that they be removed in order to preserve the health of your smile. Even though the third molars were once useful to gnaw away a prehistoric meals, today, they’re not as useful, which is why we often recommend wisdom tooth extractions in Belmont, MA.
Not all patients need to have their wisdom teeth removed. The only times that Dr. Salibian will suggest removing the third molars are when they present problems for your oral health. Some issues that can arise if you don’t have enough room in your mouth to house them include:
Once Dr. Salibian has removed your wisdom teeth, we’ll provide you with some basic aftercare instructions to help you make a speedy recovery. These include:
If you have any questions that arise once you get home, feel free to contact us so we can help you get the answers you need!
If you have concerns about the cost of your wisdom tooth extraction, our team is here to help. We can make sure that you have a reliable estimate to consider, answer any questions that might be on your mind, and go over your options for making your treatment more budget-friendly. Below is a brief overview of what you should know about the financial side of wisdom tooth extractions before you agree to any treatments.
The cost of your wisdom tooth extraction will be influenced by the number of teeth involved. Most people will have all four wisdom teeth removed at once, while others will only have one or two taken out at a time. (Certain people may not even have a full set of four wisdom teeth to begin with.)
Furthermore, an impacted wisdom tooth tends to be more costly to remove than one that has successfully erupted through the gums. This is because impacted wisdom teeth typically require a surgical extraction.
There’s also the matter of sedation dentistry. Some patients prefer to be sedated for their wisdom tooth extractions in order to stay as comfortable as possible while keeping any dental anxieties they may have under control. However, electing to have sedation dentistry administered will add to the cost of the procedure.
Many dental insurance plans will cover 50% to 80% of the cost of a wisdom tooth extraction. The percentage might vary based on the complexity of the procedure and other factors. You may also need to account for other aspects of your insurance plan. For example, many insurance companies will only pay for your treatment once you have met your deductible.
Before you commit to a wisdom tooth extraction, you should review the details of your dental insurance policy. Make sure that you have a full grasp of what coverage is available so that you aren’t caught off guard later. Don’t forget that you can reach out to your insurance company if you have any questions.
Our team is proud to welcome a variety of dental insurance plans. You can count on us to file the necessary claims and take whatever steps are needed to help you save as much money on your care as possible.
If you don’t have dental insurance, consider signing up for one of our Wellness Dental Access Plans. These plans come with significant discounts on various services, and you have the option of paying for them monthly or annually based on what’s more convenient for you.
Another option is to apply for CareCredit financing. With a low-to-no-interest CareCredit plan, you can pay for your care in installments so that you don’t have to worry about fitting the full cost into your budget all at once. Feel free to ask our team for more details about how financing works at our practice.
At EyeSmile, Dr. Salibian has helped many patients put a stop to their oral pain and protect their smiles by removing their wisdom teeth. It’s considered a routine procedure, but we find that many patients are understandably nervous beforehand. As such, we encourage you to ask our team any questions you may have about wisdom tooth extractions so that we can put your concerns to rest before we begin. Here are the answers to some of the most popular questions that we’ve received.
We will give you some specific instructions before your surgery. Here are some common tips:
We can only stop your pain for good by removing your wisdom teeth, but there are steps you can take to control your pain at home. Take an ice pack wrapped in a towel and hold it over the affected area outside your cheek for 20 minutes at a time, and repeat every few hours to keep swelling down. If you use pain medication like ibuprofen, follow the instructions on the label carefully. Another trick is to rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution. Swish the mixture around in your mouth before spitting it out; do not swallow it.
No, it is not. Your mouth will be numbed with local anesthetic first, and you’ll usually be sedated. This results in a painless procedure. Some slight pressure may be felt as the teeth are being moved around, but you won’t experience serious pain. After the procedure is complete and the local anesthetic has worn off, you may experience some discomfort or general soreness. This will only last for about a week, especially if you’re diligent about following our aftercare instructions.
It depends on how many teeth are being removed. It usually takes between 15 to 20 minutes for a singles wisdom tooth to be removed, so if you’re having all four taken out, the estimated timeline is typically around 90 minutes; of course, this can vary based on the location, position, and condition of each tooth. We’ll make sure that you and the person driving you have a reliable timeline to work with before we begin. If you’re being sedated for the procedure, then it will barely feel like any time has passed at all no matter how long your surgery takes.
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