Prevent Future Oral Health Issues
Most people do not have large enough mouths to accommodate an extra set of molars, which is why wisdom teeth removal is such a common procedure. The average mouth only has enough space to house 28 teeth. Your third molars, more commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, must be removed because they can cause a host of oral health problems when there is not enough room for them.At Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, our oral surgeons believe that wisdom teeth need to be removed at an early age to prevent complications. Wisdom teeth develop around the age of 17 or early twenties, though some never develop wisdom teeth at all. It’s important to continue visiting the dentist regularly because dentists detect signs of wisdom teeth growth and refer you to an oral surgeon when it's time to have them removed.
Reasons to Remove Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth can become stuck, or impacted, beneath the gums or grow in at an angle and cause a variety of problems for your mouth, jaws, and overall health. The most common issues caused by impacted wisdom teeth include:
- Infections
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Cysts and tumors
- Adjacent tooth damage
- Dental crowding
- Tooth misalignment
- Bone loss
- Pain and tenderness
In most cases, patients will not feel wisdom teeth growing in until it is too late and they have already caused some sort of noticeable damage to the mouth. Dentists and oral surgeons recommend having these molars extracted as soon as possible to avoid these issues. An impacted wisdom tooth will not properly erupt into the dental arch and must be removed by a dental professional.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it may be time to have your wisdom teeth removed:
- Ongoing bad breath
- An unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Seeing a wisdom tooth poking up through the gums
- Bleeding or tender gums
- Difficulty fully opening the mouth
Dr. Ben Johnson, Dr. Sohaib Soliman, Dr. Hwi Sean Moon, Dr. Kevin Huang, and Dr. Michael Baily will evaluate your needs and design a treatment plan that is unique to your oral health.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery
At your first visit, we will discuss your options for anesthesia, take 3D scans, and perform an oral examination to determine the condition of your wisdom teeth. Most patients choose to undergo IV anesthesia, which allows them to sleep comfortably during the procedure and wake up once it’s over.
Once you are sedated, we will begin the procedure. Your oral surgeon will make an incision into the gum tissue and remove any bone blocking the teeth. Then, we will remove the wisdom teeth, possibly breaking them into smaller pieces to make the process easier. Any incisions will be closed with dissolvable sutures and you will rest in our recovery area until you are awake enough to be driven home by your designated driver. Following removal, it’s important to follow all steps in your post-operative instructions closely to ensure you heal properly and recover comfortably.
Our practice offers a non-opioid option for pain relief after surgery. Ask your doctor about EXPAREL®.
Cost of Removing Wisdom Teeth in Federal Way, WA
The cost of having your wisdom teeth extracted depends on your dental insurance, how many wisdom teeth you have, and your choice of anesthesia. We will discuss all of these factors during your first visit and provide an accurate cost for treatment upfront. We also offer payment plan options to make our services more accessible.
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
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."
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."
Sam
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Patient
"Hi, I'm Sam. I'm from Kent. I came to see Dr. Carl Johnson to get my wisdom teeth out. The staff here were great. They really helped me feel comfortable and answer any questions I had. When I first met Dr. Carl Johnson, I felt very comfortable and he was very transparent and happy to answer any questions I had. I received like information packets and links to some informational videos, which helped me feel very, very at ease. The procedure, I can't say much about because all I remember is I was warm under a blanket and then and it was over. I would definitely recommend Pacific Northwest Oral Surgery to anyone because my experience here was really great."
Salena
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Patient
"I needed to have my wisdom teeth taken out, and that's why I came to see Dr. Johnson. When I first came in, I was just kind of nervous, but then, right when I walked into the place, they were so nice, and so it just kind of went away, and then I realized, "Yeah, I should probably get these taken out." My recovery? It took me about three days to be recovered because then I was back on the court coaching basketball. All my friends had talked about it, and they were in so much pain, and I was kind of scared to get them taken out, but then, once I went through with it, it was really easy, and it went by in, like, no time. I would recommend Dr. Johnson to everybody."
John
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Patient
"Hi, I'm John. I'm from Parkland and I came for multiple extractions and dental implants. When I walked into this practice, I felt great. I was greeted with a big smile. My doctor was very knowledgeable, very professional. My procedure went really well. They called me personally to see how I was doing, make sure everything was going good. I felt great. They did a really good job. Once I get my overdenture, I know my quality of life will improve. I'm gonna have some corn on the cob and a nice big fat steak. It'll feel great to have my smile back. I have recommended them and I will continue to recommend them."
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days off do I need for wisdom teeth?
You can expect to be sleepy for the rest of your surgery day, and should spend the next 24 hours resting. Follow the guidelines in your post-operative instructions regarding activity level, diet, hygiene, and more. Most patients return to their normal routines several days after surgery.
Are you asleep for wisdom teeth removal?
IV sedation will put you into a semi-conscious state. You will not experience pain and will not be aware of the procedure, but you will be awake enough to respond to questions asked by your surgeon. Many patients don’t remember anything about the procedure after comfortably waking up in the recovery area.
How long does pain last after having wisdom teeth out?
Some pain and swelling are to be expected after any surgical procedure. You can manage discomfort with over-the-counter pain medication, ice packs, and rest. Swelling typically peaks on the third day post-surgery and begins to subside after that. Practicing good home care will prevent infection and dry socket, minimize pain, and speed up the healing process.
How should I prepare for wisdom teeth removal?
Follow your pre-operative instructions closely, as they will outline what not to do prior to your procedure, such as have anything to eat or drink 8 hours prior to the appointment. Do not wear makeup, jewelry, high heels, or contact lenses. Be sure to wear a short-sleeve shirt so that your oral surgeon can access your arm to administer the anesthesia.
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