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
Everyone was very nice the procedure was very quick. I've recommended this place to my mother who wants to get dental implants.
- Crystal W
Patient Review
Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeably. The front desk got my Rx ready for me and discreetly managed payment. The nurses/hygienists stayed and talked to me in preparation for my surgery, thoroughly explaining the process. The doctor was kind, quick, and very knowledgeable. He even called me hours after my surgery to make sure everything was going okay at home! I was so impressed! It's only day one since my surgery this far, but I already know whom I'm recommending to others!!!
- Sara S
Patient Review
Very happy with the ability to schedule when i needed an appointment. Also thought the doctor and staff did an excellent job of easing my fears and treating my pain
- Keith Miller m
Patient Review
EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT. Almost a year ago I had my Wisdom teeth removed. I was more than pleased with my overall experience. I experienced NO PAIN after the surgery. I personally wanted to call Dr. Davis to ask if he really took them out. That's how good he is. I would also like to make a comment on how wonderful the whole team is! I work at IU Methodist on a Multi-Specialty Surg floor where we get all the OMFS patients. I have never seen a team of doctors come up after each surgery to check on their patients. Only the OMFS team. Even if it's at 3 AM. They are FANTASTIC! I would recommend anyone to visit them! Thank You, You guys are more than just Doctors & Support Staff Members
- Paige G
Patient Review
good overall experience
- Adam S
Patient Review
Very professional. Made us feel welcome.
- Kem T
Patient Review
I was extremely happy with how the procedure went and my recovery time, I was a little nervous going in. I only had the top two wisdom teeth extracted but the pain I had after was minimal and I didn't need to take much of the pain medication they prescribed me. I also iced for 24 hours after the procedure with the lotfancy ice pack (highly recommend to any wisdom teeth patient). If I could give a 1/2 star deduction it would be for not allowing care credit cards to be used online for the pre-procedure payment and also for the bill I received for what my insurance didn't cover after the procedure. Would recommend this location.
- Patricia S
Patient Review
I was apprehensive about having my wisdom teeth out at 45, but Dr. Hockema made me feel at ease and did an excellent job. I was worried about nerve damage due to an impacted lower tooth, but I’ve had no issues with that. Dr. Hockema even placed my IV with not so much as a pinch of pain! Great experience all around. Thank you so much!
- Jennifer L
