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 JanetNovember 2017

Meet HeatherApril 2016

Meet KenJuly 2017

Meet DottieFebruary 2017

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Reviews From Our Wisdom Teeth Removal Patients

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 StephanieJune 2017

Stephanie 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 AmandaJanuary 2017

Amanda Reviews Her Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure Watch Review

"I came to Arizona Oral Surgeons to get my wisdom teeth pulled. It was time for them to be taken out because they were growing in, so they needed to get rid of them so they won't bug me later on. I was very nervous indeed. I've never been knocked out/put under anesthetic/put to sleep before, so I was very concerned about how it was going to be and what was going to happen afterwards because everyone reacts differently. It went really well! I was actually really happy that it went well instead of chaos, and they were being so nice, and they didn't act like it was their job. They treated me like a friend, not just a patient. My recovery was actually really good. I was fine, I was awake, I wasn't groggy or anything. Dr. Coles was a really, really nice guy. I had fun. "

Meet SydneyApril 2016

Sydney Reviews Her Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure Watch Review

"I started having issues with my wisdom teeth at a golf tournament in Florida, and I didn't tell my parents because I didn't want them to freak out. It was just major pain; my cheek started swelling up because of the infection that was coming about. Dr. Wood made the procedure very easy for me. I was very pleased with how he treated me. Once I was done with my procedure, he called me that night. He also called me the next day just to make sure everything was going well. Coming to Dr. Wood was probably the best decision I made because they're so welcoming; it's almost as though they were part of the family or really close friends for a while. I would definitely recommend Arizona Oral Surgeons because of the family feel that you get and how welcoming and easy it is to get along with everyone."

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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Your First Visit

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