Safe and Comfortable Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth or third molars are the last set of molars to develop normally between the ages of 17 and 25. Most people do not have enough room in their mouths to accommodate an extra set of molars, so dentists and oral surgeons recommend early removal to avoid oral health complications. Untreated wisdom teeth can cause dental shifting, infection, tooth decay and more.
If your dentist detects the presence of third molars, he or she will refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for an evaluation. If you experience pain in the back of your mouth due to a suspected wisdom tooth or if you have been referred to us, please contact our office in Lehi, UT, to schedule a consultation with Dr. Harris, Dr. Park, Dr. Brown, Dr. Wood, or Dr. Holladay. We look forward to meeting you and helping you restore your oral health and function.
Advantages of Wisdom Teeth Removal.
At Utah Surgical Arts, our oral surgeons regularly perform third molar extractions. Having this procedure will protect your oral health and prevent future complications before they even have a chance to appear. It is not uncommon for an untreated wisdom tooth to grow sideways and become trapped underneath the gum. This is called impaction, and an impacted wisdom tooth angled toward your other molars can push nearby teeth out of place, destroy roots, and damage nerves. An impacted tooth is difficult to clean and can also cause cysts and tumors to grow around it.
Having your wisdom teeth extracted at Utah Surgical Arts in Lehi, UT can prevent these complications. When wisdom teeth are left to develop on their own, they can cause the following oral health problems:
- Swelling, stiffness, or sensitivity near the back of the jaws
- Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth indicating infection
- Irreversible tooth decay or periodontal disease
- Misalignment of healthy teeth or dental crowding
- Increased risk of tumors and cysts
- Bacterial buildup that can lead to cavities
The Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure
Your consultation appointment will begin with a thorough examination of your mouth and jaw where your oral surgeon will review your medical history, take 3D CBCT scans, and review your options for anesthesia and sedation. This will also be a time to ask any questions or address any concerns you have about the procedure. Wisdom tooth extraction is often performed using IV sedation, rendering the patient into a sleep-like state without any recollection of the surgery.
Your procedure will begin with your predetermined form of anesthesia and will follow the customized treatment plan designed by your oral surgeon. If you choose to undergo IV sedation, you must have an adult present at the office during surgery and drive you home after. It is important that the adult stay and monitor you for 24 hours until the effects of anesthesia fully wear off.
Exposed teeth can easily be removed using forceps to pull them out. Impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth may need to be broken before they can be completely removed. Any incisions made to the extraction site will be closed with sutures, and you will rest comfortably in our recovery area until you are awake enough to be driven home.
Wisdom Tooth Surgery Cost in Lehi, UT
The cost of having third molars extracted will vary depending on how many teeth you need removed, your choice of anesthesia, and your insurance coverage. We will discuss all of this with you during your initial consultation appointment and provide you with a cost estimate before treatment. At Utah Surgical Arts, we believe that outstanding care should be accessible to all patients, so we work hard to make payment convenient. We accept many forms of payment and insurance plans. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our office. One of our staff members will be happy to assist you.
AAAHC Accreditation
Utah Surgical Arts is approved by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This accreditation is difficult to obtain and allows our office to function as a hospital and/or surgical center. Since extensive surgeries must be performed in a surgical center, there are many instances where the patient may be unable to undergo surgery due to the high cost of the hospital or surgical center. If your surgery can be performed at Utah Surgical Arts, the cost savings may be significant. Many patients who were unable to have the procedure due to the high cost involved were able to have the procedure performed at Utah Surgical Arts.
Types of Anesthesia
Our surgeons at Utah Surgical Arts offer many anesthesia and sedation options for patients to choose from.
Reviews From Our Wisdom Tooth Removal Patients
"My name is Drew, and I am from Provo, Utah. It was time to get my wisdom teeth out, so I came here to see Dr. Harris. I was a little nervous, but honestly this procedure is really easy. It’s not as scary as I thought it was going to be. The staff here is very nice. Everyone is so friendly, and it makes you feel like there’s nothing to worry about. Dr. Harris—he’s pretty great. The surgery went well. It was a good experience. I would definitely give Utah Surgical Arts a five out of five stars. For my friends and family in Provo, I highly recommend Utah Surgical Arts."
"My name’s Michelle, and I live in Pleasant Grove. I first came to Utah Surgical Arts when my oldest needed his wisdom teeth out. Not knowing what to do, I asked around and was recommended to come here and when I came, they were able to explain the procedures and comfort me and let me know what was going to happen. He had the procedure done and it was wonderful — quick recovery, minimal swelling. So that when the next two children needed their wisdom teeth out, there was no question — I was coming to Utah Surgical Arts. If you live anywhere in the Utah Valley area, Spanish Fork, Payson, Orem, American Fork, I would highly recommend coming to Utah Surgical Arts. They know what they’re doing, they’re professional, and you receive great care. I love that they are not only dentists, they’re medical doctors and that they can explain in layman terms what’s going to happen and what to expect and what to look for, and my children did wonderful and recovered quickly."
"Hi. My name is Amy, and I am a mother of five boys, and three of my sons have come here to Utah Surgical Arts to have their wisdom teeth pulled. They each had kind of unique circumstances and so we were a little nervous about it, but Dr. Park was wonderful at calming their fears, and he just did a great job. My first son had seven wisdom teeth, and so he was a little nervous about his recovery. Then, my second son had six wisdom teeth, and he was nervous about shots. Then, my third son was actually in the fourth grade so he was just nervous because he was young and didn’t really understand about going under and things like that. Dr. Park was wonderful with them. He was real personal; he sat down with each one of them and kind of calmed their fears. He’s funny and kind of cool, and the boys like him. So it just really put their fears at rest. We are grateful for Dr. Park, and my two other boys, when they need their wisdom teeth, we will be here in this office to get them done."
"Hi, my name is Mikell, and I came to Utah Surgical Arts to get my wisdom teeth extracted. Being a registered nurse, I realize the importance of patient care and him being a doctor and a dentist, I was put at ease for the procedure. Obviously, getting your wisdom teeth out isn’t the funnest thing in the world, but I went to the office and was so comforted by the awesome staff and by the friendliness and personable Dr. Harris, and I had a really great experience."
"Hi, I’m Anna. I’m from Provo. We came to Utah Surgical Arts to get my son’s wisdom teeth out. When I walked in here, I felt confident that my son was in great hands. The doctor did a great job with my son, and I felt very confident in his abilities. The staff here were wonderful to work with. They were kind and helpful and reassuring that everything was going to be great with my son. My son had a very successful procedure, and he had a great recovery. I highly recommend the doctors and the staff here at Utah Surgical Arts. I am so glad that my son got his wisdom teeth removed here. The quality of care he received here was truly amazing."
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will it cost to remove my wisdom teeth?
The cost of your wisdom tooth extraction will vary depending on the number of teeth you need removed, your choice of anesthesia, and insurance coverage. We will discuss all of this with you during your consultation appointment and provide you with an accurate cost estimate prior to treatment.
Are impacted wisdom teeth harder to remove?
Impacted wisdom teeth are more difficult to remove and can leave you at greater risk for complications following surgery. That’s why it’s important that this complex procedure be performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and not a general dentist.
What if food gets in the wisdom tooth hole?
We will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions to guide you through the recovery process. It is important to follow a soft food diet to avoid dry socket and disturbing the surgical area. You can also gently brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help remove any food particles.
Does removing wisdom teeth change face shape?
There might be some temporary changes to your face following wisdom tooth surgery like bruising and swelling, but that can be managed by applying ice packs and will subside after a few days. Wisdom tooth surgery will not permanently alter or change the shape of your face.
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