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 DeavenApril 2019Deaven 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 2018Catherine 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 2017David 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 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 AmandaJanuary 2017Amanda 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. "
