WHY SHOULD I HAVE MY WISDOM TEETH REMOVED? | WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE MY WISDOM TEETH REMOVED AS A TEENAGER OR YOUNG ADULT? | WHAT HAPPENS ON THE DAY WISDOM TEETH ARE REMOVED? | WHAT DOES WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL COST AND IS IT COVERED BY INSURANCE? | WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS BEFORE SURGERY? |

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Dr. Broadbent, Dr. Chandler, Dr. Hall, and Dr. McCormick can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there are present or future potential problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist, or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Our Board Certified doctors are trained, licensed, and highly experienced in providing various types of anesthesia for patients.

If you do not have enough room in your mouth for your third molars to fully erupt, a number of problems can happen. Impacted wisdom teeth should be removed before their root structure is fully developed. In some patients it is as early as 12 or 13, and in others it may not be until the early twenties. Problems tend to occur with increasing frequency after the age of 30. Some of the possible problems related to not removing your wisdom teeth include:

As wisdom teeth develop, the roots become longer and the jaw bone more dense. When it is necessary to remove impacted wisdom teeth in your thirties, forties or beyond, the post-operative course can be prolonged and there is a higher complication rate. Treating these complications is often more difficult and less predictable than with a younger patient. Healing may be slower and the chance of infection may increase. In general you will heal faster more predictably and have fewer complications if treated in your teens or early twenties.

If your surgery requires stitches, these are usually the type that dissolve in 3 to 5 days and do not require removal. You may also notice a sensation of your gums feeling swollen and pulling away from your teeth. This is all part of the normal recovery, and will subside in several days.

To help prevent opioid overdose and addiction, we will recommend non-narcotic medications to be taken as prescribed. Please refer to our post operative instructions for more details.

If you are given antibiotics and you take birth control pills, please be aware that the birth control pills might become ineffective and take appropriate precautions.

The fee for your treatment is determined by a number of factors; these may include the difficulty involved in removing your teeth and which type of anesthesia is best for you. During your consultation appointment, the surgeon will need to review your x-rays, complete an examination and determine the best option for anesthesia, before an accurate estimate can be provided. Every insurance company has a different policy regarding the extent of coverage for a given surgical procedure. Our office staff will help you obtain maximum insurance coverage for your treatment.

We recognize that your insurance may help you pay for part of your care. Your insurance coverage is a contract between you and your insurance carrier. As a courtesy, we will bill services provided in our office to your insurance carrier with the complete information you have provided. Visit our Insurance Frequently Asked Questions.

An initial payment is often required at the time of service depending on your insurance benefit and coverage. To help alleviate unexpected financial obligations, we recommend that you contact your insurance company to verify your treatment plan for your procedure. Also, if you require monthly payment options, we recommend PatientFi. They offer quick acceptance and low monthly patient options.