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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Meet VinnyAugust 2017Vinny 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 StephanieJune 2017Stephanie Reviews Her Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure Watch Review
"I came here for surgery because I had an extra little wisdom tooth. They basically told me that I need to get them taken out so that I am able to have my teeth be as straight as possible. Dr. Wood is a very kind person. He introduced himself to me right away and said, "Hi, my name's Dr. Wood. You don't need to be scared; I'm here to help you." Nothing went wrong, so it was a success. Overall, I had a great experience here, actually. They called me over the weekend, and they called me again during the week, so they definitely made you feel like you were special. I'm happy I had my wisdom teeth taken out, and I feel much better. I highly recommend Dr. Wood."
Meet CynthiaNovember 2016Cynthia 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 ShelbyMay 2016Shelby 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."
Meet ChristinaOctober 2019Christina Reviews Her Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure Watch Review
"My dentist, Ruben Romero, sent me to Dr. Coles. I was told I had pockets in my molar, and it had to be removed, and also my wisdom tooth had to be removed. Ever since you walk in, people are extremely friendly. They make you feel good. Dr. Coles was wonderful. I felt relaxed, and it turned out to be a great experience for me. I had no problems with my teeth afterward at all. I was able to eat, and I was fine. If I had any friends in Tucson that needed extractions, I would definitely recommend AZOMS."
