Tooth Extractions
When a tooth is badly decayed, cracked, or infected, removing it is sometimes the option that ends the pain and protects the rest of your mouth. Little River Medical Center provides tooth extractions at our dental offices in Little River, Carolina Forest, and Aynor. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, and most private dental insurance, and patients without coverage can apply for our sliding fee scale. Extractions are also one of the few dental services adult Medicaid does cover, which matters if other offices have turned you away. Call 843-663-8000.
What your coverage pays for
Extractions are covered by most kinds of dental coverage, which is not true of every dental procedure. Here is what generally applies to each situation. Call us with your plan details and we will verify your specific benefits before treatment.
| Your coverage | What generally applies |
|---|---|
| Private dental insurance | Extractions are usually covered as a basic service, often at a set percentage after any deductible. We accept most private dental plans and will check your benefits. |
| Medicare | Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental. Many Medicare Advantage plans include a dental benefit that may cover extractions. Bring your plan card and we will look. |
| TRICARE | Dental coverage runs through a separate dental program rather than TRICARE medical. |
| South Carolina Medicaid | Covered for adults. Healthy Connections covers extractions, fillings, and an annual cleaning for members 21 and older, within a $1,000 annual benefit running July 1 through June 30. Members under 21 have broader coverage. See the state's dental plan for current details. |
| No insurance | Apply for our sliding fee scale. Your cost is set by household size and income. Bring a photo ID and proof of household income from the last 30 days. |
Two things worth knowing. Several dental offices in this area do not accept Medicaid at all, so if you have been told you would need to pay out of pocket, it is worth asking us. And if you need more than one tooth removed on Medicaid, that annual cap is worth planning around; our team can help you sequence treatment across the benefit year. For other ways to reduce what you owe, see our guide to low-cost and free dental care in Horry County. If you are not enrolled in any coverage, our outreach team can help you apply.
When a tooth needs to come out, and when it does not
Teeth are usually removed because of severe decay that has gone past what a filling can fix, an infection that has reached the root, a crack below the gum line, advanced gum disease that has loosened the tooth, or crowding.
That said, extraction is not always the answer, and we will tell you when it is not. A tooth that looks hopeless to you may be treatable with a filling. Keeping your own tooth is almost always better than replacing it, so we look at what can be saved first. If the tooth genuinely has to go, we will explain why in plain language before anything happens.
What happens during the procedure
Your visit starts with an exam and X-rays so the dentist can see the root and the bone around it. The area is numbed with a local anesthetic, and you should feel pressure but not sharp pain during the removal itself. A straightforward extraction of a visible tooth is usually quick. A tooth that is broken at the gum line or otherwise hard to reach takes longer and may need a different approach.
Aftercare, and what to watch for
A blood clot forms in the socket and protects the bone underneath while it heals. Protecting that clot is most of what aftercare is about:
- Bite gently on the gauze until bleeding stops
- Do not smoke, use a straw, or spit forcefully for at least the first few days, since suction can dislodge the clot
- Eat soft foods and chew on the other side
- Rinse gently with warm salt water starting the day after, not the same day
- Take pain medication as directed and use a cold compress for swelling
- Keep brushing your other teeth, staying away from the socket itself
Most soreness eases within a few days. Call us if you have pain that gets worse rather than better around day three or four, which can signal a dry socket, or if you develop a fever, swelling that keeps growing, or bleeding that will not stop. Those are worth a call, not a wait.
What comes next if you lose a tooth
Losing a back tooth can make chewing harder, and losing a visible one changes your smile. Remaining teeth can also drift into the gap over time. Depending on how many teeth are involved, dentures or partials may be worth discussing. Worth knowing in advance: adult Medicaid covers the extraction but does not cover dentures, so ask about the sliding fee scale if replacement is likely to be part of your plan.
Where to go
We provide dental care, including extractions, at Little River, Carolina Forest, and Aynor. Call 843-663-8000 to be seen at whichever office is closest. If you are new to LRMC, start with new patient registration, and you can see the rest of our dental services as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover tooth extractions?
Usually. Most private dental plans cover extractions as a basic service, and South Carolina Medicaid covers them for adults within its annual benefit. Traditional Medicare does not cover routine dental, though many Medicare Advantage plans do. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, and most private dental insurance, and we will verify your specific plan before treatment.
Does Medicaid cover tooth extractions in South Carolina?
Yes. For adults 21 and older, South Carolina Healthy Connections covers extractions, fillings, and an annual cleaning within a $1,000 yearly benefit. Members under 21 have broader coverage. We accept Healthy Connections Medicaid.
What if I have no insurance at all?
Apply for our sliding fee scale and your cost is based on household size and income. We will tell you the amount before treatment starts.
Does getting a tooth pulled hurt?
The area is numbed first, so you should feel pressure rather than sharp pain during the extraction. Soreness afterward is normal and usually manageable with the pain medication your dentist recommends.
How long does it take to heal?
Most people feel noticeably better within a few days, and the gum tissue closes over the following couple of weeks. Bone underneath continues filling in for longer than that.
What is a dry socket?
It happens when the blood clot in the socket comes loose too early, exposing bone. The sign is pain that worsens a few days after the extraction instead of easing. It is treatable, so call us rather than waiting it out.
Can the tooth be saved instead?
Sometimes. An exam and X-ray will show whether a filling or other treatment is realistic. We would rather keep your natural tooth when that is a genuine option.
We accept most insurance plans, including:
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Private or commercial plans
- ACA or Healthcare Marketplace plans
ESTABLISHED PATIENTS ONLY:
Same Day / Next Day Appointments
If you are an established patient, we can provide you with a same-day/next-day appointment. If you find it necessary to cancel your appointment, please call us as early as possible so that we may offer your time to someone else. We can offer telehealth visits if transportation or other issues prevent you from keeping your appointment.
After Hours:
If you are sick outside of normal office hours, please call the after-hours number to contact the provider on call. They will provide you with additional instruction. If you are experiencing a health emergency, please call 911.
After Hours: 843.497.3424
