If you need a tooth extraction, contacting an oral surgeon may not be your first thought. You’re more likely to call your dentist — but that isn’t always the best approach.

Dentists do extract teeth, and having your regular dentist pull your problem tooth might sound more convenient. However, every tooth extraction has a risk of complications. And should any arise during your procedure, an oral surgeon has the skill and expertise to properly handle the situation.

Your Tooth Extraction May Not Be Routine

You may think your extraction will be a simple, routine procedure, one that your dentist could easily handle. And you might be right — but without an X-ray, you really don’t know. The tooth might be impacted, the roots may not be positioned for easy removal or the X-rays could reveal an issue in your jawbone.

If you go to your regular dentist and find out that your tooth extraction will not be a simple, straightforward procedure, you’ll need to visit an oral surgeon anyway. As that could easily be the case, heading directly to the surgeon makes good sense.

Your Tooth Extraction Could Become Complicated

Let’s say you decide to go to your regular dentist, and according to the X-rays, your extraction should be quite simple. You can go ahead and have your dentist pull the problem tooth, right?

Actually, any extraction — even a procedure that appears to be routine — has the potential to become complex. The root could fracture, necessitating removal of some of the surrounding bone. Or the tooth might break off at the gumline, and extraction may require surgical treatment.

Dentists are not qualified to handle complex surgical tooth extractions. If your procedure becomes complicated, you’ll need to see an oral surgeon who has the skill, knowledge and expertise to resolve the situation.

Choosing an Oral Surgeon for Your Tooth Extraction

For the best care, you need to see the right oral surgeon.

Your dentist may make a recommendation, or you can ask your friends, family members or co-workers for the name of a local surgeon they trust.

Before deciding on a professional to visit, however, make sure they have certification from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS). Board-certified surgeons are committed to the highest standards and understand the latest surgical techniques — and both help ensure your extraction is a positive experience.

If you live in Richmond or the greater east central Indiana area, turn to the professional team at Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. We handle tooth extractions with expert care. Our board-certified oral surgeons, Dr. Partridge and Dr. Alderman, perform routine and complex extractions every day.

You’ll be in good hands with Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Contact us and schedule a tooth extraction consultation today.

We wish we could say that oral and maxillofacial surgery is always covered by insurance, but sometimes, that isn’t the case.

The surgical procedures insurance plans cover vary by provider, and some pay only a portion of the oral surgery costs. In addition, some insurance companies have different reimbursement rates for dental and medical procedures.

Generally, oral and maxillofacial procedures that are medically necessary stand a strong chance of being covered. For surgeries that are considered elective, however, the opposite is true.

Oral Surgery Procedures Most Insurance Plans Cover

Certain oral and maxillofacial procedures are performed to correct medical problems that threaten a patient’s health. Some or all of the costs of these surgeries are typically covered by insurance. Examples include:

• Surgery to remove tumors or cysts in the cheeks, jaws or oral cavity
• Procedures to correct a congenital birth defect or facial deformity
• Treatment to address structural abnormalities in the jawbone
• Facial surgery to repair injuries due to physical trauma

Oral Surgery Procedures with Out-of-Pocket Costs

For elective procedures — basically any cosmetic oral surgery — patients typically have to pay for themselves. Most insurance providers do not cover the costs of procedures such as:

• Tooth extraction, including wisdom teeth removal
• Dental implant placement
• Bone grafting and other pre-prosthetic procedures
• Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Procedures to treat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder

Some insurance plans may agree to cover some or all the costs for some of these oral surgery procedures if other non-invasive treatments have failed. For instance, patients with sleep apnea may be able to get coverage for surgical treatment if use of a CPAP machine has proven ineffective.

Options for Patients Who Have to Pay for Oral Surgery

If your insurance provider refuses to cover the oral and maxillofacial procedure you need, speak to the financial staff at your oral surgeon’s office.

Certain procedures may come with discounts for paying in cash, and you may be able to make arrangements for financing.

You can also look into the idea of enrolling in a dental discount plan. Those have monthly fees, but some plans offer significant savings. Depending upon the type of surgical treatment you need, you could cut your costs by thousands of dollars.

Do you need oral surgery? Are you concerned about the costs?

If you’re in the greater east central Indiana area, turn to the professional team at Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. We understand the complexities of insurance coverage, and our staff can handle the claims process for you. And if your procedure isn’t covered, we can point you toward a dental discount plan or assist you in applying for financing.

Rest assured, Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will work to help you find an affordable payment solution. To discuss your options for covering the costs of oral and maxillofacial surgery, contact us today.