Quick and Comfortable Extractions
Third molars, also known as wisdom teeth, usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25 and are the last set of molars to develop. Often, there is not enough space for these teeth, which can lead to overcrowding and other dental issues. Our oral surgeons in Provo, UT, recommend having these wisdom teeth extracted as soon as possible to prevent damage to your oral health. Contact Utah Surgical Arts to schedule an appointment with Dr. Harris, Dr. Park, Dr. Brown, Dr. Wood, or Dr. Holladay.
Advantages of Having Wisdom Teeth Extracted
Proactive removal during the early to mid-teen years often reduces the surgical complications that can arise during third molar extraction in older patients. Having wisdom teeth removed at an earlier stage of the tooth’s development makes for a less complex surgery, and younger patients tend to have faster recoveries. However, you can have your wisdom teeth removed by an oral surgeon at any age.
A wisdom tooth can grow sideways and become trapped beneath the gum tissue. This is known as an impacted wisdom tooth and will not properly erupt, and therefore must be surgically removed by an oral surgeon. An impacted tooth can push against nearby molars, pushing them out of alignment.
A wisdom tooth’s root is large and can grow into nearby nerves or other roots. It’s important to attend regular dental checkups. Your general dentist takes X-rays of your mouth and will send you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon when wisdom teeth begin to develop.
By having your wisdom teeth extracted, you avoid many complications, including:
- Gum disease
- Dental crowding or shifting
- Irreversible damage to the jaw bone and teeth due to cysts and tumors
- Cavities from bacterial growth
- Pain and swelling caused by overcrowding
- Infection
- Tooth decay
Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
Our surgeons have completed extensive training beyond dental school, coupled with years of experience, allowing us to deliver the highest level of care to our patients. Prior to any surgery, we will take CBCT scans of your face to evaluate the size and location of your third molars. There are many anesthesia options available, although patients typically undergo IV sedation for this procedure.
Molars that are partially or completely beneath the gums require the oral surgeon to lift the gum tissue to expose the tooth and extract it. On occasion, they may need to be sectioned into smaller pieces to allow for complete removal. Once the teeth are removed, the empty tooth sockets will be stitched closed, and you will rest in our office until the anesthesia wears off. Your designated driver will take you home and should remain with you for 24 hours.
Cost of Having Wisdom Teeth Extracted in Provo, UT
Contact one of our Utah Surgical Arts practice locations to schedule a consultation. At this appointment, we will create a personalized treatment plan and provide you with a cost estimate for your oral surgery. Factors such as the number of wisdom teeth needing to be removed, anesthesia, and insurance will be considered. Our team prides ourselves on our expertise performing comfortable, precise wisdom teeth removal procedures for patients of all ages.
We want wisdom teeth removal to be accessible and affordable for our patients, so we work hard to make payment convenient. We accept several insurance plans and payment methods. Please contact us with your questions. It is our privilege to guide you through the process of wisdom teeth extraction at our friendly and welcoming practice.
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, 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."
"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, I'm Eliza, and I'm from Draper. I came to Utah Surgical Arts to get my wisdom teeth removed. The practice here at Utah Surgical Arts is super welcoming and super comfortable, and the people here are so nice. When I met the doctor for the consult, he immediately put my mind at ease and was very professional. The staff is so kind and really thorough in the information that they provided me before and after the surgery. My procedure was successful, and I was up and running in no time. My overall experience at Utah Surgical Arts was amazing. I highly recommend Utah Surgical Arts. They go above and beyond here."
"Dr. Harris is a good family friend of ours, and so I came to get my wisdom teeth out. I was very nervous. I don't do well with needles, I've never gone under, so yeah, I was super nervous. They were very helpful. They welcomed me in; they talked to me. They just went through everything, explained everything that was going to happen, so it was no mystery to me. They helped me ease my nerves a lot. Dr. Harris is such a great guy. He was very welcoming. He came in, talked to me, and right before I was going under, he just was talking about home — the kind of things that could draw my attention away from what was actually going on. The procedure was very easy. I had to get four wisdom teeth out. They weren't impacted or anything, but yeah, I was very nervous. Right when I went under, I couldn't feel a thing, and I woke up, and it was very easy, and I'm very grateful for that. My recovery wasn't bad either. I didn't swell or anything. The office sent me flowers, which was really nice, and it made me feel like they actually cared about me, so that was very nice of them, and it helped me recover, definitely. I would definitely recommend my friends to come to get their wisdom teeth out from Dr. Harris. I actually have told a few friends to come already, so he's got some of my friends coming. "
"Hi, I’m Jorden; I’m from Lindon, Utah. I came to see Dr. Harris because I needed to get my wisdom teeth out for my mission. I hate shots and needles, so getting an IV was not my favorite part. The staff were very friendly, and the office was very comfortable, so it kind of calmed my nerves a little bit. Dr. Harris was really good about explaining what was happening and the kind of needle that he was using and just kind of explaining it a little bit more to take the unknown fear out of it. Dr. Harris was super funny, just kind of told me some jokes; like, I was really scared about the needle again, and he kind of just told me some jokes and kind of tried to take my mind off of it. I was worried if I would miss school, and he kind of just promised me I wouldn’t and told me if I did miss school, he would miss work and come hang out with me. The staff were all super friendly. They were very talkative. It was just very welcoming; it was just kind of nice. It wasn’t like they were busy or that I was a hassle; they were just very fine with me being there. If any of my friends in Lindon or Pleasant Grove or American Fork were getting their wisdom teeth out, I would definitely recommend coming to Utah Surgical Arts."
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I take off for wisdom teeth removal?
Most patients return to their normal routine a day or two after surgery. While it takes about 2 weeks for the surgical sites to heal, you can expect to return to work or school either the day after surgery or the following day.
Does wisdom teeth removal hurt?
IV sedation will render you in a semi-conscious state. You will be awake enough to respond to your surgeon, but will have no memory of the surgery. The effects of anesthesia will last for that day, and you can expect to rest a lot. Any post-operative pain can be managed with ice packs and over-the-counter pain medication. There may be some swelling and discomfort, but ice, rest, and a soft food diet will ensure a speedy recovery.
Should I have all four wisdom teeth removed at once?
You should have all wisdom teeth removed in one procedure. This eliminates the need for multiple procedures, and you can eliminate the risk for dental problems caused by third molars in a single surgical visit.
Is the third day the worst after wisdom tooth removal?
Swelling often peaks around the third day, but you can manage this with ice packs and keeping your head elevated. Our office provides detailed instructions to help manage discomfort and ensure a speedy recovery. During healing, it's critical not to smoke or use a straw, as this could dislodge the blood clot. A dry socket is very painful and if you experience this, contact our office immediately.
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