Wisdom Teeth Removal in Oro Valley, AZ

Alleviate Pain and Protect Oral Health

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Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last molars that grow in the very back of the mouth. Most people develop four wisdom teeth, which finish growing in between ages 17 and 25. The average mouth does not have room for an extra set of molars. This is why dental professionals recommend having wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible.

Dr. Robert Wood, Dr. Nicholas Coles, Dr. Negin Saghafi, and Dr. Holbrook extract wisdom teeth at our office in Oro Valley, AZ. As skilled oral surgeons, we offer many anesthesia and sedation options for your comfort. By having third molars removed, you prevent many oral health conditions from occurring. Contact Arizona Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons for an appointment if you or your child need wisdom teeth removed.

Why Have Wisdom Teeth Removed?

If wisdom teeth are fully erupted and positioned properly, they may not need to be removed. However, this is rare. In most cases, the jaws are too small for the extra molars and wisdom tooth removal is necessary.

Impacted wisdom teeth are teeth that are trapped beneath the gum tissue. An impacted wisdom tooth will not naturally erupt and must be surgically removed. If a tooth is partially impacted, or poking through the gum tissue, it becomes a magnet for bacteria. By leaving wisdom teeth untreated, you become susceptible to many oral health issues including:

Infections around the tooth and gum tissue, which can spread to healthy teeth
Pain and swelling
Dental overcrowding
Misalignment of your teeth caused by wisdom teeth that grow sideways and push against adjacent molars
The formation of cysts or tumors
Chronic bad breath caused by infection
Difficulty fully opening the mouth

You can avoid these problems by having wisdom teeth extracted by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Contact Arizona Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons today if it's time for you or your child to have wisdom teeth taken out.

When Should I Have Wisdom Teeth Taken Out?

The right time for removal depends on the development stage of the teeth. Third molars begin developing during the late teens or early twenties, and this is when dental experts recommend having them removed. Early extraction leads to an easier surgical procedure and a faster recovery. However, you can have wisdom teeth extracted at any age.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure

During your first visit to our practice, you will meet with one of our oral surgeons. We will take 3D scans of your mouth, discuss anesthesia options, and answer your questions regarding your oral and maxillofacial surgery procedure. You will return on a later date for the surgical procedure.

IV sedation is used for most wisdom tooth extractions. This requires a responsible adult to drive you to and from surgery and remain in the office during the procedure. When you arrive for your procedure, we will administer the anesthesia. Once it takes effect, your surgeon will remove erupted wisdom teeth using forceps.

For impacted teeth, your surgeon will make an incision in the gums to access and remove the tooth. Sometimes the wisdom teeth will be sectioned into smaller pieces for removal. Once the teeth are removed, the surgical sites will be sutured and you will rest until your anesthesia wears off. Your designated driver will take you home and should monitor you for 24 hours.

Eat soft foods for a few days after surgery. The surgical sites will have to remain clean while they heal over the next couple of weeks. Most patients find that they can return to their normal schedules after just a couple days of rest. You should not smoke or use a straw for one week. The suction could dislodge the blood clot within the tooth socket, resulting in a dry socket. If you have questions during recovery, contact our office. A member of our staff will be happy to help.

Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal

The cost of wisdom teeth removal varies for every patient. Several items factor into the total cost, including the number of wisdom teeth, dental insurance, anesthesia, and the overall complexity of the procedure. During the consultation, we will provide you with a cost estimate of your wisdom teeth removal procedure.

Types of Anesthesia

We offer a variety of anesthesia choices to ensure a comfortable oral surgery experience. Most patients undergo IV sedation for full-arch restoration, and your surgeon will review every option with you.

Local Anesthesia

Local anesthesia is used in most oral surgery procedures, sometimes in conjunction with other forms of anesthesia. It numbs the surgical area to prevent pain. If you use local anesthesia alone, you will remain conscious throughout the procedure but not feel discomfort.

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Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is used with a local anesthetic to help you relax. You inhale nitrous oxide through a mask, and it has a mild pain-controlling effect. It wears off as soon as the mask is removed and you can drive yourself home afterward.

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Intravenous (IV) Sedation

IV anesthesia puts you into a sleep-like state. You will be able to answer questions asked by your surgeon, but will have no awareness of the procedure and likely not remember it once the sedation wears off. You will need a designated driver to take you home.

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General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is used for extensive jaw and facial surgeries or for patients with medical issues who are not candidates for in-office IV anesthesia. An anesthesiologist will assist with these surgeries. Some patients can be driven home the same day as the procedure, but other cases require an overnight stay.

Ask us about EXPAREL®, a non-narcotic medication given during surgery that helps manage pain for up to 72 hours and can reduce or eliminate the need for opioid medications.

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Hear From Wisdom Teeth Removal Patients

These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing wisdom teeth removal at our office.

Meet GeorgeApril 2016

Meet CatherineDecember 2018

Meet ValentinoOctober 2018

Meet Dr. Hardy

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Reviews From Our Wisdom Teeth Removal Patients

Meet DeavenApril 2019

Deaven Reviews Her Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure Watch Review

"My dentist told me that my wisdom teeth were very impacted and that I should get them out. The recommendations for this place were really good, and then the first time that I came for the consultation, they made me feel super comfortable, and it just seemed like a really nice place to go. The staff themselves were just very relaxing, and they talked in a tone and talked to me like I was an adult and like they knew that I was scared, but they made it feel super relaxed and comfortable. Dr. Wood is a really great oral surgeon and definitely very comforting. It was just an overall great experience. If you live in the Tucson area, and you need an oral surgery, AZOMS is definitely the place to be."

Meet CatherineDecember 2018

Catherine Reviews Her Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure Watch Review

"I came to AZOMS to get my wisdom teeth extracted. When I walked in, everybody was super open, super friendly. They really helped out with my anxiety. Everyone was really, really nice. My procedure was very quick. It was over and done, and I barely felt anything afterward. I wasn’t sore or anything. Dr. Coles was super friendly, super laidback. He just helped me get adjusted to this place really quickly. He made the surgery very easy. I had a wonderful experience here, and I would definitely recommend AZOMS to anyone."

Meet DavidOctober 2017

David Reviews His Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure Watch Review

"Basically what was going on in my mouth was, every time I would eat, it would really hurt. So I came here to see Dr. Coles, and I needed to get my wisdom teeth pulled out. Dr. Coles is very nice. He tells you what's going on. He tells you what's going to go on during the surgery, how you're going to feel, what's going on. The surgery ended up finishing really quick. I had no pain whatsoever. I was really amazed about how he did. The staff here at AZOMS were very nice, very welcoming, and comforting. I am very happy that I got my wisdom teeth pulled out here at AZOMS. Now, I don't have pain when I open up my mouth, when I chew, when I eat. My life is a lot better after surgery. I highly recommend AZOMS, and Dr. Coles is really awesome."

Meet VinnyAugust 2017

Vinny Reviews His Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure Watch Review

"Well, I had to get all four of my wisdom teeth pulled. The staff was really comforting; they were really nice, friendly people. The surgery went really good. Dr. Wood is awesome. He's one of the coolest guys I know. I'm really glad that I came to AZOMS to get my surgery done with Dr. Wood. It was a really good experience, and I definitely recommend it to anyone. For all my friends and family who are in the Benson, Sayulita, southwest side of Tucson area, I'd highly recommend AZOMS."

Meet ShelbyMay 2016

Shelby Reviews Her Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure Watch Review

"I had my braces on, and to get my braces off, I had to get my wisdom teeth removed just because they didn't want them to move my teeth around after I got my braces off. I thought it was going to be way worse than it was. I was really scared, and I thought it was going to take forever to recover, but it wasn't that bad. Dr. Wood is really, really cool. He made it way easier because he's so uplifting. The minute you walk in, everybody is so positive, and it makes it way easier to just — if you're nervous about it — everybody is so nice, and so it makes you just want to come in and get it over with. It's pretty quick — you're in and out pretty quick — so it makes it a lot easier. I would definitely recommend all my friends that live in either Corona, or Tucson, or Oro Valley, to definitely come to Arizona Oral Surgeons."

Frequently Asked Questions

Do they put you to sleep for wisdom teeth removal?

IV sedation is often used for wisdom tooth extractions. This puts you in a sleep-like state where you will not feel any pain. This is different from general anesthesia, which renders you completely unconscious. General anesthesia is reserved for complex surgical or reconstructive procedures, such as orthognathic surgery or treatment for facial trauma.

We often use a local anesthetic in addition to IV sedation to numb the surgical area. Local anesthesia provides additional comfort during and immediately after surgery. You can also choose EXPAREL®, the non-narcotic pain management option after oral surgery.

Is wisdom teeth removal covered by medical or dental insurance?

Most insurance companies cover some extent of wisdom teeth removal. You should contact your insurance provider directly to find out the details of your coverage. We recommend doing this prior to the consultation appointment.

How long is wisdom tooth removal surgery?

It takes about one hour to remove four wisdom teeth. This time varies if you have more or less than four molars and the complexity of your procedure.

What can I eat after wisdom teeth removal?

Eat soft foods for a few days and advance your diet as tolerated. This can include eggs, yogurt, soups, applesauce, mashed potatoes, or others that do not require excessive chewing. If it is uncomfortable to eat, you may be advancing your diet too quickly.

Exceptional Outcomes From a Team You Can Trust

We’ve been caring for patients in southern Arizona for over 50 years. As board-certified experts, our surgeons bring years of training and expertise to you and your loved ones with the highest standards. We are proud members of the American Society of Implant & Reconstructive Dentistry (ASIRD) and are PACE certified.

Learn more about our practice, see what to expect at your first visit, or call (520) 745-2454 to schedule a consultation at our offices.

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Wisdom Teeth Removal in Oro Valley, AZ

Alleviate Pain and Protect Oral Health

Why Have Wisdom Teeth Removed?

When Should I Have Wisdom Teeth Taken Out?

Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure

Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal