wisdom teeth removal at Arizona Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Tucson, AZ

Quick and Comfortable Third Molar Extraction

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Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars to grow in the back of the mouth. They usually develop during your teens or early twenties after all of the other adult teeth have developed. There is often not enough room for an additional set of molars. This is why dental experts recommend having wisdom teeth extracted as soon as possible by an oral surgeon.

Dr. Robert Wood, Dr. Nicholas Coles, and Dr. Negin Saghafi regularly extract wisdom teeth at our office in Tucson, AZ. We walk you through every step of treatment, and we offer many anesthesia options to ensure your comfort. Contact Arizona Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons if you or your child have third molars and need them extracted.

Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Because there is not enough room for an extra set of molars, wisdom teeth may only partially erupt through the gums. Some wisdom teeth remain fully trapped beneath gums. These teeth are considered to be impacted, and an impacted wisdom tooth must be surgically removed. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infections, dental overcrowding, and cause discomfort.

It is rare for a wisdom tooth to develop without causing any issue. Your dentist will check for wisdom teeth during routine visits and refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for treatment. Even if you are not in any discomfort, your wisdom teeth can still cause many health problems that require treatment. Untreated wisdom teeth can lead to:

  • Damage to adjacent teeth and their roots
  • Infections of the tissue
  • Cysts or tumors
  • Chronic bad breath caused by infection
  • Pain and swelling
  • Difficulty fully opening the mouth

These problems are avoidable by having wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible. If your wisdom teeth have already started causing problems or if you’d like an evaluation, contact Arizona Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. Our oral surgeons in Tucson, AZ, have experience performing wisdom tooth removal at any stage of the growth process.

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When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?

Most wisdom teeth begin developing during the late teens or early twenties. Dental professionals recommend having them removed before they fully develop. This is usually between the ages of 17 and 24. Early extraction when these teeth are not yet fully developed makes for a smoother surgical procedure and faster recovery.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery

During your consultation, we will take 3D scans of your teeth, outline the details of your treatment, and answer any questions. Most patients undergo IV sedation for this procedure, but we will outline all of your anesthesia and sedation options. We often combine this with a local anesthetic to ensure you do not feel any pain. Your surgeon will also give you pre-operative instructions to help you prepare for your procedure.

Once the local anesthesia and IV sedation are administered, your oral surgeon will make a small incision in the gum tissue. Your surgeon will remove the tooth whole or section it into smaller pieces, depending on its size. Once each tooth is removed, the surgical area will be sutured to promote faster healing. These sutures are usually dissolvable, so you won’t need to return to have them removed. You will rest in our office until your anesthesia wears off, then your driver will bring you home to recover. This person should monitor you for 24 hours.

Recovery is different for everyone, but patients are often back to their normal schedules within just a few days. The surgical sites will need to be kept clean for a couple of weeks until the empty tooth sockets heal fully. Do not smoke after surgery, as the suction could dislodge the blood clot forming within the sockets. This can cause a painful condition known as dry socket.

A soft food diet is required for the first few days. As you get more comfortable, you can begin incorporating harder foods back into your diet. Your surgeon will provide you with post-operative instructions to guide you throughout the recovery process.

Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal

The cost of having wisdom teeth removed varies for each patient. The total cost will depend on the number of wisdom teeth, dental insurance, anesthesia, and the overall complexity of the procedure. Our staff will provide you with the cost of your wisdom teeth removal during your first visit to our office.

Types of Anesthesia

We offer a variety of anesthesia choices to ensure a comfortable oral surgery experience.

Hear From Wisdom Teeth Removal Patients

These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing wisdom teeth removal at our office.
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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 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 CynthiaNovember 2016

Cynthia Reviews Her Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure Watch Review

“I was referred by my dentist, so I just decided to try it. I had had kind of a traumatic extraction. I was really fearful, and I really wanted to get it done, and I wanted somebody to help me. I can truly say I did not feel a moment of anxiety or pain. I couldn’t believe how easy it was, and I didn’t ever think I’d ever say the word “easy” associated with a dental procedure. They called me and asked me how I was doing, and I didn’t think doctors still did that. I really felt like Dr. Wood and his staff gave me a standard of what to expect from medical care, and I will forever compare everything else to how I was treated in his practice. I think he set a very high level of compassion, and that’s what I want in medical care. I want not only the expertise but the compassion.”

Meet NickAugust 2016

Nick Reviews His Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure Watch Review

“My wisdom teeth were irritating me really bad; I was in a lot of pain. Dr. Wood’s very energetic. He’s high energy but very comforting to talk to. He walks you through the whole process. He’s very informational with everything, and he’s just a fun, easygoing guy. I was nervous about the pain, the procedure, what was involved, the aftercare, but everybody here made it really easy and comfortable. For the procedure, we came in, they put me under right away, made it very quick, noninvasive. It was painless. And when I got out, the staff was very, very comforting. They called me to check up on me, asked me how everything was going, how I was feeling, what they could do for me, if anything. I felt very — I don’t know how you put it — like part of the family. Arizona Oral Surgery is definitely a place that I would recommend.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Do wisdom tooth extractions count as a dental emergency?

Wisdom teeth removal is often not considered an oral and maxillofacial surgery emergency. However, if your wisdom teeth are impacted and causing severe pain, you should contact our office immediately. Emergency extraction may be necessary.

How long is wisdom tooth surgery?

Wisdom teeth removal takes about one hour to remove all four wisdom teeth. This time will vary if you have more or less than four wisdom teeth, and depending on how many are impacted.

How do I prepare for wisdom teeth removal?

If you are undergoing IV sedation, do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. If your surgery is in the afternoon, you may have a light meal up to 6 hours beforehand. Wear loose-fitting clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up past the elbow. For more information, read the pre-operative instructions prior to your surgery.

What can I eat after wisdom teeth removal?

Eat soft foods for the first few days and resume your normal diet as tolerated. Eggs, yogurt, soups, mashed potatoes, and oatmeal are great options. Avoid hard foods and anything you have to bite or chew excessively. If it causes you pain to eat, you may be advancing your diet too quickly and should stick to soft foods.

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. 
Learn more about our office or contact Arizona Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons today to see how we can 
improve your oral health.

Trusted care for all your 
oral and maxillofacial needs.

Tucson Office

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Mon–Thur: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM 
Fri: 7:00 AM–2:00 PM

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