Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom Teeth: A Guide for Parents and Patients
Patients:
You’ve been told you need your wisdom teeth out. What’s next?
The removal of wisdom teeth is a routine procedure in our office, but it probably doesn’t feel that way to you. For many of our patients, just hearing the words “surgery” and “extraction” tends to bring up some fears. Our doctors want you to know that wisdom teeth extraction is safe, quick, and comfortable.
What are wisdom teeth, anyway?
We each get three sets of molars during our lifetime — the first molars arrive at age six, the second at age 12, and the third molars develop during the late teens and early twenties. Because it is during this age that children become wiser and transition into adulthood, we refer to the “third molars” as “wisdom teeth”.
Why wisdom teeth need to be pulled:
Your mouth was designed to hold 28 teeth, not 32. By the time your wisdom teeth start to grow, those 28 slots are already filled, making it difficult for them to grow in properly. That’s why 9 out of 10 people find themselves with at least one impacted wisdom tooth that requires extraction. Even when properly positioned, wisdom teeth can easily become infected, and are at risk for cysts and tumors (see “The Trouble with Wisdom Teeth”, below).
With wisdom teeth, everything is timing.
You may have noticed that many of your friends are having their wisdom teeth pulled out too. Why? That’s because there is an optimal (yet fleeting) opportunity between the ages of 17-25 when the tooth roots haven’t fully formed yet. Thus, the risk of damaging nearby nerves, bones and teeth during this time is significantly less.
Wisdom Teeth Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth are discussed.
Parents:
Choosing the Right Oral Surgeon for your Child
As oral surgery specialists with extensive training and experience, we are able to offer a different kind of “wisdom teeth experience” to our patients and their families. We are with you every step of the way and pay extra attention to the most critical parts of your child’s care, including:
- Anesthesia with a variety of options available.
- Compassion and comfort to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
- Home care and after-hours contact information.
- A thoughtful surgical strategy to minimize the need for invasive techniques.
- Careful consideration of timing to ensure the easiest recovery possible.
The Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal
The cost of wisdom teeth removal varies depending on several circumstances (positioning, level of impaction, number of teeth) that are unique to your teen’s case. We will discuss all costs with you upfront and can help you determine whether your insurance offers any benefits for the procedure.
The Cost of Waiting
Because it is so common for wisdom teeth to cause problems such as infection, pain, damage to neighboring teeth and, in rare circumstances, cysts and tumors, it is generally recognized as standard practice to remove them in most people during the late teens and early twenties, before the roots have fully developed. Waiting to remove them increases the likelihood of problems and complications should they need to be removed down the road.
Complications of Wisdom Tooth Removal
As with any surgical procedure, there are some possible complications associated with the removal of the third molars. However, since the procedure has been very well tested, these complications (nerve injuries, fractures and injury to the joint) are very rare, and, if the surgery is performed at an early age, the risk is even less.
The Trouble with Wisdom Teeth
Are you still feeling unsure? Consider this: Wisdom teeth that are not removed can cause the following problems throughout your life:
Infection:
Your gums can become infected, a condition known as “pericoronitis”, due to the wisdom teeth unsuccessfully trying to push through the gum tissue. This condition, which causes pain, swelling and problems swallowing, can recur periodically.
Cysts and Benign Tumors:
Cysts are fluid-filled pockets that can form inside the jawbone when wisdom teeth are impacted. They can be very damaging and difficult to treat as they destroy jawbone and even neighboring teeth.
Crowding and Alignment Issues:
It should be no surprise that impacted wisdom teeth crowd your smile, causing misalignment issues, even if you have had braces
Damage to Nearby Teeth:
Wisdom teeth are notorious for damaging their neighbors by making it difficult to practice good hygiene in the area. This often results in decay, gum disease and sometimes bone loss.
If you have been putting off wisdom teeth surgery, give us a call — we can give you the calm, safe, comfortable experience you are looking for!
Patient Reviews for Wisdom Tooth Extraction
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Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates
Patient Review
Excellent
- Katelyn H
Patient Review
I did refer Dr. Bojrab to Austin Kyker.
- Henry Y
Patient Review
Dr. Bojrab was so nice and his assistant was so sweet. I was really scared when getting my teeth out but they made sure I was comfortable. I had to wait about 45 minutes after my scheduled appointment time, but that’s okay. I understand things happen. Overall, I would definitely come back if I needed additional work. Dr. Bojrab called me after my surgery to see how I was doing and let me know that if I needed anything, day or night, to just let him know!
- Sara C
Patient Review
The service was friendly and the were very kind and caring when I got my wisdom teeth extracted.
- Anna S
Patient Review
This was the easiest procedure that i have ever had. Dr. Davis and the IOMSA team are amazing. They took care of me and explained everything. It was one of the best experiences.
- Alexa S
Patient Review
From the minute you step in the door you are made to feel welcome...all the team members are extremely friendly, helpful and make you feel like family. Dr. Davis was wonderful at putting my son at ease for the procedure. He called me personally the day after my son’s surgery to make sure that my son was doing well...there are so few doctors who take the time to show you that they really care about their patients. I highly recommend Dr. Davis and his exceptional team to everyone. You won’t find a more caring and welcoming office anywhere!
- Traci W
Patient Review
I was shocked at how quickly I recovered!!! I was up and about right after my surgery like it didn't even happen! Recovery was so short and smooth!
- Ana B
Patient Review
I had as enjoyable an experience as a person could have when she has had four wisdom teeth surgically extracted from her head. I don’t wish to repeat it, but I am grateful that I was in such good hands when I did have to go through it.
- Bailey M
