Protect Your Healthy Teeth
Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common oral surgery procedures performed in our office in Auburn, WA. Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last teeth to develop. While some wisdom teeth grow in normally, most mouths are too small to accommodate a third set of molars. It is important to receive regular dental examinations and detect wisdom teeth early.In most cases, our oral surgeons recommend having wisdom teeth removed before the teeth are fully formed. The ideal time for removal is usually between the age of 17 and the early twenties. If you are unsure whether your wisdom teeth need to be taken out, contact us in Auburn to schedule a consultation.
Treating Impacted Wisdom Teeth
When a wisdom tooth becomes trapped beneath the gums, it is considered to be impacted and will not successfully erupt into the dental arch. Impacted teeth grow at an angle toward other molars and can knock them out of position. It’s difficult to clean around a partially emerged tooth, which can lead to infections and the formation of cysts.
Impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed by an oral surgeon. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in safely removing impacted wisdom teeth and getting our patients back to their normal routines without having to worry about third molars. Having wisdom teeth removed also prevents these complications:
- Pain and tenderness near the tooth sites
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Damage to neighboring teeth
- Bone loss
Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth
Contact us in Auburn to schedule an appointment if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Ongoing bad breath
- An unpleasant taste
- Seeing a wisdom tooth poking up through the gums
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Difficulty fully opening the mouth
These are common symptoms of wisdom tooth problems. Our surgeons will evaluate your oral health and discuss your options for treatment.
The Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery
During your first visit, you will meet with Dr. Ben, Dr. Sohaib, or Dr. Hwi who will take 3D scans of your mouth and talk about your options for anesthesia. Many patients undergo IV sedation, which puts you into a semi-conscious, sleep-like state. You can still respond to questions asked by your doctor but will not remember the procedure.
Once the anesthesia has taken effect, your oral surgeon will remove erupted wisdom teeth with forceps. Impacted teeth are broken into small pieces and then removed, and your surgeon will make small incisions in the gum tissue to access the bony segments. Surgical sites will be closed with dissolvable stitches, and you will rest in our recovery area until the anesthesia wears off.
You will be driven home by your prearranged driver, who should remain with you for 24 hours. Be sure to follow your instructions closely. They will guide you on which foods to avoid, how to prevent infection and dry socket, and how to manage swelling.
Our practice offers a non-opioid option for pain relief after surgery. Ask your doctor about EXPAREL®.
Cost of Removing Wisdom Teeth
The cost of a wisdom tooth removal procedure depends on how many wisdom teeth you need to be extracted and if you choose other forms of anesthesia. Your dental insurance also factors into the cost. We will discuss all of this with you during your first visit and provide you with a cost estimate upfront. We offer payment plans to make care more accessible to more patients.
Types of Anesthesia
There are three main types of anesthesia that we use at our practice:
Hear From Wisdom Tooth Removal Patients
These patients can tell you about the firsthand experience undergoing wisdom tooth removal at our office.
Reviews From Our Wisdom Tooth Removal Patients
Kylee
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Patient
"I had four of my wisdom teeth that needed to be taken out. I was nervous about being put to sleep and seeing all the pictures from friends and my brother and sister that had their swollen cheeks. Dr. Edwards is very personable, and he makes you feel very comfortable, and I just right away felt like I was in good hands, and everything went well. As far as my procedure, I just remember laying in the chair, and he was talking to me, and I believe he had me count to ten, but I didn't make it to four. I was out, and the next thing we know is I woke up, and my husband was there, and it was over. If any of my friends in Maple Valley, Federal Way, or Renton need to get their wisdom teeth taken out, then I would definitely refer to Dr. Edwards."
Jessica
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Patient
"I needed to get my wisdom teeth taken out, and I heard this was a good place to go, so I decided to come here. I was very nervous before coming in just because of the anesthesia, and after the experience, I realized it really wasn't scary at all. The staff was really nice because they would tell me everything they were doing, like when I was getting the IV put into my arm, she just talked me through the whole process, which actually made it really nice and calming for me. The surgery went very well. The healing process was really quick. I was never in a lot of pain, never had to take my actual pain pills or anything. Carl Johnson was a cool guy. I definitely had a good experience here. This was just the best place I think you could get your wisdom teeth taken out because it was just so easy and nice."
Amanda
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Patient
"The staff was very team oriented, which could tell from the minute that I came in. They all were interacting with each other very nicely, just added to the comfortability factor. The doctors here made me feel really comfortable and answered all of my questions, which was really important to me. My procedure went amazing. My quality of life has definitely improved since having my wisdom teeth taken out. All around, this is the place that I will go to from now on for anything that I need oral procedure wise."
Arica
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Patient
"The office staff was wonderful. From the very beginning of check-in to the gals taking us back and just even updating and seeing how quick the procedure would be, and it was very quick, and I was able to go back and be with Ashley, and they were very helpful in just going over the at-home care. From our experience, I would highly recommend this practice to anyone with children needing to get their wisdom teeth out. It was a very successful, smooth, and informative practice. I highly recommend them."
Joy
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Patient
"Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons inspires confidence. I have been very pleased to bring my children here and have excellent care for them. My daughter had her wisdom teeth out. My son with special needs was treated very respectfully and carefully, and it all went very well. I really trust the doctors here. I was very appreciative of how everything was handled at every stage. My kids feel great. I would very definitely bring my children back if they needed any further oral surgery. If any parents are looking for a great place to bring their children for oral surgery, I would highly recommend Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons."
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time off do I need for wisdom teeth removal?
You can expect to return to your normal routine a few days after surgery, but should avoid physical activity for about one week. The surgery itself is performed in a single day and when you return home, you will likely be sleepy for the remainder of the day.
Is it rare to have all four wisdom teeth?
Some people develop all four wisdom teeth, some develop between one and four, and others never develop any at all. At your regular dental visits, your general dentist takes X-rays to track the development of third molars and will refer you to an oral surgeon when it’s time to have them removed.
How painful is removing wisdom teeth?
IV sedation is a safe sedating method that renders you into a sleep-like state during the procedure. You will be semi-aware of your surroundings and able to respond to questions asked by your surgeon. Swelling usually peaks around the third day post-surgery, and your instructions will help you manage swelling and discomfort during the healing process. Most pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and ice packs.
Is getting your wisdom teeth out really that bad?
This procedure is common, safe, and performed regularly by oral surgeons every day. The anesthesia helps patients relax, while the skill of our expert surgical team safely monitors patients and performs treatment in our state-of-the-art clinical facilities. At Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, you are in excellent hands when you come to us for oral surgery.
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