Safeguarding Your Smile
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are often the last teeth to develop, typically emerging in your late teens or early twenties. While some individuals may have no wisdom teeth or even more than four, the average mouth comfortably accommodates only 28 teeth. This can make the arrival of four additional molars problematic, potentially leading to crowding, impaction, tooth decay, and damage to surrounding teeth.
To safeguard your oral health, many dental professionals recommend proactive wisdom tooth removal. Early extraction minimizes the risk of complications and allows for easier healing. Your general dentist plays a crucial role in monitoring the development of your wisdom teeth during regular checkups. If they detect any signs of potential problems, they will refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a specialist in surgical procedures involving the mouth and face. At YJ OMS Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, our expert oral surgeon regularly performs wisdom teeth extractions with precision and care in our comfortable Huntington Beach, CA office.
Schedule an Appointment for Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Your journey to a healthier smile begins with a comprehensive consultation. During this visit, our specialist surgeon, Dr. Jun, will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth, including X-rays (panoramic or 3D imaging), to assess the position and development of your teeth. This detailed evaluation helps determine if your third molars pose a risk to your oral health and if extraction is recommended.
Here's what you can expect during your consultation:
- Personalized Assessment: Dr. Jun will carefully examine your mouth and X-rays to evaluate the position, development, and overall health of your teeth.
- Individualized Treatment Plan: We'll discuss your specific dental issues, explain the reasons for recommending extraction (if necessary), and outline a personalized treatment plan tailored to your situation.
- Procedure Overview: We'll walk you through the oral surgery procedure, answering your questions about the types of anesthesia available, post-operative care, and potential risks or complications.
- Open Communication: We encourage open and honest communication. Feel free to ask questions and express any concerns you may have. Our team is dedicated to ensuring you feel comfortable and confident in your treatment decisions.
Preparing for Your Consultation
To ensure a productive and informative consultation appointment, we encourage you to come prepared with the following:
- Referral slip: If your dentist referred you, please bring the referral slip with you.
- Dental insurance information: We'll be happy to discuss your insurance coverage and answer any questions about benefits and out-of-pocket costs.
- List of medications: Please provide a list of any medications you are currently taking.
- Questions: Jot down any questions you have about the wisdom teeth removal procedure, anesthesia options, or post-operative care.
While we strive to provide exceptional care for all patients, certain criteria may be necessary to ensure your safety and prevent surgical complications. In general, ideal candidates for wisdom teeth consultation:
- Are between the ages of 14 and 30
- Are in good overall health
- Have recent panoramic X-rays available
- Are willing to comply with pre-operative and post-operative instructions
Our experienced staff is dedicated to guiding you through the process and ensuring a positive experience. If you're interested in a consultation for wisdom teeth management, schedule your appointment at YJ OMS Dental Implants & Oral Surgery today.
Should You Remove Problematic Wisdom Teeth?
While not all wisdom teeth require extraction, ignoring problematic ones can lead to a cascade of oral health issues. At YJ OMS Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, we advocate for proactive care to prevent these complications and safeguard your smile.
Leaving problematic teeth untreated can result in:
- Infection and Severe Pain: Impacted or partially erupted molars can create a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to painful infections like pericoronitis and abscesses.
- Damage to Neighboring Teeth: Wisdom teeth can crowd and shift adjacent teeth, causing misalignment and bite problems. They can even damage tooth roots, increasing the risk of decay and potential tooth loss.
- Cysts and Tumors: In some cases, impacted teeth can lead to the formation of fluid-filled cysts or, rarely, even tumors that can damage the jaw bone and surrounding teeth.
- Gum Disease: Partially erupted molars create hard-to-clean areas around gum tissue where bacteria thrive, increasing the risk of gum disease, bone loss, bad breath, and potential tooth loss.
- Sinus Problems: Upper wisdom teeth situated near the sinuses can trigger sinus pain, pressure, and infections.
By addressing problematic teeth early on, we can help you avoid these potential complications and maintain a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile.
What are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
An impacted wisdom tooth is one that doesn't erupt properly, often growing at an angle or becoming trapped beneath the gum line. This can cause a range of problems, from damaging the roots of nearby teeth to increasing the risk of infection and cyst formation. Wisdom teeth have large, unpredictable roots that can interfere with the nerves and roots of adjacent teeth, leading to pain, shifting, and potential damage. Furthermore, impacted molars are notoriously difficult to clean effectively, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive and infections to develop. In some cases, delaying wisdom tooth extraction can even lead to the formation of painful cysts or tumors.
What is the Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure?
Your wisdom tooth removal journey begins with a comprehensive consultation appointment with Dr. Jun, our specialist oral surgeon. During this visit, Dr. Jun will discuss your anesthesia options and take detailed 3D scans of your mouth to assess the position and condition of your teeth. While we offer various anesthesia options, most patients opt for IV sedation, which induces a comfortable sleep-like state where you won't feel any pain. Please note that if you choose IV sedation, you will need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours after the procedure.
On the day of your surgery, Dr. Jun will skillfully remove your wisdom teeth. Exposed wisdom teeth are gently extracted with forceps, while we'll break an impacted tooth into sections for easier removal. Any incisions made during the procedure will be stitched closed, and you'll rest comfortably in our recovery area until the anesthesia wears off.
Following your surgery, it's crucial to adhere to the post-operative instructions provided to ensure proper healing and manage any discomfort. Keep the extraction sites clean by rinsing with salt water (starting the day after surgery) and avoid using straws, as this can increase the risk of dry socket. You can manage any pain or swelling with over-the-counter medication, ice packs, and a soft food diet for a few days. Our team is always available to answer any questions and provide support throughout your recovery.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery in Huntington Beach, CA
If you or a loved one is ready to have their wisdom teeth extracted, please contact our office in Huntington Beach, CA for an evaluation.
Hear From Our Patients
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do you need off after the removal of wisdom teeth?
Most patients begin to recover within hours of surgery and can return to their normal routines within a few days. We'll provide detailed instructions to guide you through your recovery, including dietary recommendations and tips for managing swelling. While the surgical sites typically heal within a few weeks, you can usually resume a normal diet after the first two days.
What is the cost of wisdom teeth surgery?
The cost of wisdom tooth extraction varies depending on several factors, including the number of teeth being removed, the type of anesthesia used, and your insurance coverage. We will provide a clear breakdown of the costs during your initial consultation.
What happens if you wait too long to get wisdom teeth out?
While there's no maximum age for wisdom tooth removal, we generally recommend having them removed earlier rather than later. Younger patients tend to experience easier and faster recoveries. Moreover, removing wisdom teeth before they fully develop reduces the risk of complications such as damage to nearby teeth, infections, and cyst formation.
How do you prevent dry socket?
Dry socket is a painful condition that can occur after tooth extraction. To minimize the risk of dry socket, it's crucial to follow post-operative instructions carefully. This includes taking prescribed medications as directed, avoiding smoking and using straws, keeping the extraction sites clean, sticking to a soft food diet for a few days, and attending follow-up appointments as scheduled.
Southern California’s Most Trusted Oral Surgery Specialists
Dr. Young Jun and the YJ OMS Dental Implants & Oral Surgery team have helped countless patients improve facial aesthetics, restore dental health, and recover confidence. Whether you need dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, or full-mouth reconstruction, our state-of-the-art office deploys the latest technology and techniques to ensure flawless results and fast recovery. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at our Placentia or Huntington Beach office and get started on your journey to a brand-new smile.