Wisdom Teeth Removal in Oro Valley, AZ
Alleviate Pain and Protect Oral Health
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.
Hear From Wisdom Teeth Removal Patients
These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing wisdom teeth removal at our office.
Reviews From Our Wisdom Teeth Removal Patients
"I had a problem with a wisdom tooth that I needed pulled, and it was a molar next to it that it was having problems with. So, I came to Dr. Wood just to check it out. First of all, I needed that wisdom tooth pulled out, so he pulled that out, and then we talked a little bit about the other tooth, and he said, "Well, let me take a look at it." So he took some extra film, and he goes, "No problem with that. We'll go ahead and reconstruct it." So he did that for me as well, which I was very grateful because I didn't want to lose that molar. Dr. Wood and his staff are very, very nice. They calm you down; they talk to you, they walk you through the procedure, and very gentle. And "Let me know if there's any pain; we'll go ahead and fix it." I would recommend Dr. Wood to anyone. Yeah, good people. All his staff especially. They do good work here."
"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."
"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."
"I had fractured my tooth, and it had required an implant and bone graft. The staff here is very friendly. When you come in, they greet you at the door. Dr. Coles is very friendly, and he's reassuring. He went through every step of the process with me and informed me of what would go on in the recovery time. My surgery went very smooth. I came in, I went back, and I don't remember the rest. There was very little recovery time. It was a great experience. Everyone on the staff was very friendly, and he was a great doctor. As a dental professional, I would highly recommend Dr. Coles."
"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. Learn more about our office or contact Arizona Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons today to see how we can improve your oral health.