Wisdom Teeth Removal

Having wisdom teeth removed is easier than ever before with the expertise of our oral surgeon in Placerville. We specialize in the removal of wisdom teeth for patients living in and around Placerville.

Wisdom teeth are molars, which are the flat teeth located at the back of your mouth. Molars have a special cusped shape that makes them good at crushing and grinding. You have four wisdom teeth – one on each side of your upper and lower jaw.

Do I Really Need to Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed? 

Wisdom teeth are the final teeth to come in, or erupt through your gums. If you are like most people, your wisdom teeth arrived when you were between the ages of 17 and 24, although they can come in a little earlier or later for some people. 

Because your wisdom teeth are the last to come in, there may not be enough room in your jaw for these molars to erupt. Crowding can prevent your wisdom teeth from erupting completely and correctly through your gum tissue – oral surgeons refer to this as impacted wisdom teeth. 

Impacted wisdom teeth can pose a threat to your oral health. As it sits below the gums, your wisdom tooth can push against the roots of neighboring molars to knock the healthy teeth out of alignment. Impacted wisdom teeth can also cause infection, damage your jawbone, and even contribute to long-term oral health issues. 

Wisdom teeth can remain completely beneath your gum line, erupt partially through the gums, or come in all the way. Your oral surgeon can remove a wisdom tooth at any time before or during its eruption, but it is often easier and healthier to remove it before it causes problems. 

If You Still Have Wisdom Teeth and are Experiencing the Following Symptoms, You May Have a Dental Problem

Impacted wisdom teeth can affect local tissues to cause a number of symptoms, such as:

• Red, tender, bleeding or swollen gums
• Pain or aching in your jaw joint, just in front of your ear
• Headaches
• Swelling and tenderness around your jaw
• Bad breath
• A sour taste in your mouth
• Pain or stiffness when opening and closing your mouth

In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth can cause swollen lymph nodes in your neck. This could be a sign of infection. 

More about Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom tooth extraction is usually a preventative procedure

Oral surgeons in the United States remove more than 10 million wisdom teeth each year. Of these procedures, about 60 percent are elective. Patients opt to have these molars removed before they erupt to reduce their risk for infections, pain, and other issues associated with impacted wisdom teeth. 

Can I wait to have my wisdom teeth removed?

Our oral surgeon encourages our patients to have their wisdom teeth removed in their late teens to early twenties, before the roots of their teeth are completely developed. If you wait too long, your teeth roots will “set” in your jaw, which makes them more difficult to remove. Delaying wisdom tooth removal can also make the procedure more complex when you do choose to go through it. 

While patients can undergo wisdom tooth removal at any age, younger patients tend to recover faster from the procedure. 

How much does wisdom tooth removal cost?

The cost of wisdom tooth extraction can vary, depending on how many wisdom teeth will be removed, the type of anesthesia used, health issues or other factors that may complicate treatment, and insurance coverage. 

You’ll learn more about the estimated cost of your wisdom tooth extraction and anticipated insurance coverage during your consultation. 

Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure

If you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, you may wonder what to expect during the procedure. You may be glad to know that wisdom teeth removal is faster and more comfortable than ever before. 

Sedation for pain-free dentistry

Our oral surgeon in Placerville uses advanced sedation technology to keep you comfortable and free from pain during wisdom teeth removal. Dental sedation, also known as sleep dentistry, will cause you to fee drowsy or sleepy during the procedure. While under sedation, you’ll be able to ask and answer questions. 

After administering sedation, our team of dental professionals will remove your wisdom teeth. It takes about an hour to remove all four wisdom teeth. 

When you awaken, you’ll feel a bit groggy, so you’ll need a ride home. You should rest for the remainder of the day. We’ll provide you with a full set of instructions for your recovery. While recovery time varies depending on your age and the extent of your procedure, you can expect to return to your normal activities in a day or two. 

For more information on wisdom tooth removal, contact our Placerville, CA, oral surgeon.