Wisdom Teeth Removal

If you are beginning to feel pain in your jaw or feeling wisdom teeth begin to erupt from the gum surface, it may be time to consider wisdom teeth removal. If you’re unsure if it’s the right time, call us for a consultation, and our doctors can help you determine the best next steps for you.

Our Wisdom Teeth Services

At The Oral Surgery Group, we have over thirty years of experience removing wisdom teeth. In addition to standard wisdom teeth removal, we remove those pesky impacted wisdom teeth that affect your neighboring teeth as well. Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety. We utilize modern monitoring equipment and our staff are experienced in anesthesia techniques.

What You Can Expect at Your Wisdom Tooth Removal Consultation

At your wisdom teeth consultation, our experienced doctors will take X-Rays of your mouth to determine the best course of action for your specific case. We will show you the X-Rays, discuss anesthesia options, and schedule the procedure with the front desk  before you leave.

Learn More:

• Impacted Wisdom Teeth
• Wisdom Teeth Removal
• After Extraction of Wisdom Teeth

The Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure

1. You will be given a sedative – either a local that numbs just the area around the extraction site, a “twilight” sedation that essentially allows the patient to feel just on the verge of sleep, or full oral sedation. The oral surgeon will determine the appropriate level of sedation, but patients can provide input as to their concerns and thoughts related to their comfort with the surgery.
2. The surgeon will remove any gum tissue found over and around the wisdom tooth in question. Any bone covering the wisdom tooth will also be removed. The tooth is extracted gently using forceps, and the surgeon may then choose to stitch the open incision closed.
3. Each incision site will be packed with several layers of cotton gauze to keep any additional bleeding to a minimum.

Things to Know About Wisdom Tooth Removal Treatment

• On the day of treatment, please do not eat or drink anything prior to your surgery. Having anything in your stomach can increase the risk for serious anesthetic complications.

• Be sure to have an adult with you at the time of removal. Make plans to have a parent or responsible adult stay with you for the rest of the day, following wisdom tooth removal.

• If your surgery requires stitches, these are usually the type that dissolve in 3 to 5 days and do not require removal. You may also notice a sensation of your gums feeling swollen and pulling away from your teeth. This is all part of the normal recovery, and will subside in several days.

• Once the local anesthesia wears off, you may require prescription pain medication. Please try non-narcotic anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil®) first, to see if that adequately treats your pain. If not, begin your other prescription pain medication. The local anesthesia may last until the following day, and should not be confused with an injury to your nerve. We recommend starting your post-operative diet with clear liquids such as jello and broths, gradually increasing in substance as your body permits.

• We do not recommend using dairy products such as yogurt, ice cream or milkshakes on the day of surgery, as nausea and vomiting may develop in conjunction with the anesthetic and pain medication. If you are given antibiotics and you take birth control pills, please be aware that the birth control pills might become ineffective and take appropriate precautions.

Learn more about Wisdom Teeth Removal Aftercare.

FAQs

Is anesthesia used during my wisdom teeth removal?

Most people prefer to be unaware of the experience when they have their wisdom teeth removed and usually decide to be sedated. You will be provided with appropriate anesthesia options at your consultation. All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize your comfort. Our office staff has the training, licensing, and experience to provide the various types of anesthesia. These services are provided in an environment of optimum safety, utilizing modern monitoring equipment and a well trained experienced staff. The Surgical Care Team, the office facilities, and the doctors are inspected on behalf of the Board of Dental Examiners on a regular basis.

What does wisdom tooth removal cost and is it covered by insurance?

The fee for your treatment is determined by a number of factors. These may include the difficulty involved in removing your teeth and which type of anesthesia is best for you. During your consultation appointment, the surgeon will need to review your x-rays, complete an examination and determine the best option for anesthesia, before an accurate estimate can be provided. Every insurance company has a different policy regarding the extent of coverage for a given surgical procedure. The oral surgeon’s office staff will help you obtain maximum insurance coverage for your treatment.

What if I have questions before surgery?

At the time of your consultation, your specific situation will be discussed in greater detail. We encourage you to ask any questions you may have. If new questions arise after your consultation, please call (215) 938-7860 to speak to one of our patient care coordinators.

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