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
"Hi, my name is Lisa Knapp; I'm from Provo. So, we came into Utah Surgical Arts with one of my children to have an implant. Some of my other children have had teeth removed to facilitate braces. One child had a chain put on their tooth to pull it down into place to get the braces started sooner. And, of course, wisdom teeth extractions. We had a wonderful experience here at Utah Surgical Arts. Through all the different procedures with the four different children, we've seen all of the doctors at one time or another and have been extremely impressed with their competence. We have friends in Provo, Springville, Orem areas, Pleasant Grove, that we would all highly recommend Utah Surgical Arts to if they ever need any wisdom teeth extractions or other oral surgery procedures done."
"My name is Nick Warner. I’m from Provo, Utah, and I came into Utah Surgical Arts before my mission to have my wisdom teeth removed. I was a little nervous before I came in — I’ve never had anything done like that before. But I got here and their staff was very professional and made me feel comfortable. It was Dr. Harris that did the procedure. And I sat down in the chair, they applied the anesthesia and told me to count backwards from 20. I think I got to 18, and I remember when I woke up, everything was done. They had given me some pain medication to deal with the pain. I didn’t even really need the pain medication, I remember. They treated me very well here, and I would recommend Utah Surgical Arts to anyone else."
"Hi, I’m Justin, and I am from Springville, Utah. I came to Utah Surgical Arts to get my wisdom teeth removed. The staff was extremely kind and very professional. If you live in American Fork, Lehi, Provo, or Spanish Fork, I highly recommend Utah Surgical Arts. Dr. Park was very caring and very professional, and I felt like all his attention was devoted to me."
"Hi, my name is Kenzie, and I’m from Provo. I came to Utah Surgical Arts to get my wisdom teeth out. I love the office — it’s beautiful — and I loved all the girls that worked with me. Getting my wisdom teeth out was not too big of a deal; I recovered really well after, and the experience was good. I didn’t feel any pain, I just went right to sleep, woke up. They got me out of here — I felt like I was here for 15 minutes. I tell all my friends in American Fork, Orem, Alpine, Lehi that if they need to get their wisdom teeth out, this is the place to come."
"My two older kids both needed their wisdom teeth removed, and we had heard about Dr. Park and Dr. Harris and decided to come here. From the moment we walked in the door, we were greeted warmly and professionally but made to feel like we were just amongst friends, and so it was very comforting as a mom to know that my boys were in good hands when they had their wisdom teeth removed. And then, when the doctors talked with us, both Dr. Harris and Dr. Park spoke with us and calmed our nerves and put my boys at ease and my momma mind at ease, and I felt very comfortable. The recovery was awesome. They both healed very well and very quickly. I would definitely send all of my friends, and I do send all of my friends, to bring their kids to Dr. Park and Dr. Harris. As a matter of fact, I’ve got two more kids that are scheduled to have theirs done, and they’re excited to come in, actually, because they’ve heard nothing but good stories from their older brothers."
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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