Patients:
You’ve been told you need your wisdom teeth out. What’s next?
The removal of wisdom teeth is a routine procedure in our office, but it probably doesn’t feel that way to you. For many of our patients, just hearing the words “surgery” and “extraction” tends to bring up some fears. Dr. McElroy, Dr. Paterson, Dr. Gelband and Dr. Shah want you to know that wisdom teeth extraction is safe, quick, and comfortable.
What are wisdom teeth, anyway?
We each get three sets of molars during our lifetime – the first molars arrive at age six, the second at age 12, and the third molars develop during the late teens and early twenties. Because it is during this age that children become wiser and transition into adulthood, we refer to the “third molars” as “wisdom teeth”.
Why they need to be pulled:
Your mouth was designed to hold 28 teeth, not 32. By the time your wisdom teeth start to grow, those 28 slots are already filled, making it difficult for them to grow properly. That’s why 9 out of 10 people find themselves with at least one impacted wisdom tooth that requires extraction. Even when properly positioned, wisdom teeth can easily become infected and are at risk for cysts and tumors (see “The Trouble with Wisdom Teeth”, below).
You Don’t Have to Suffer from Wisdom Tooth Pain!
Call to book at one of our locations near you – accepting new patients in Central NJ! Matawan 732-566-7648 · Ocean Township 732-531-4400 · Freehold 732-431-4800
With wisdom teeth, everything is timing.
You may have noticed that many of your friends are having their wisdom teeth pulled out too. Why? That’s because there is an optimal (yet fleeting) opportunity between the ages of 17-25 when the tooth roots haven’t fully formed yet. Thus, the risk of damaging nearby nerves, bones and teeth during this time is significantly less.
Parents:
Choosing the Right Oral Surgeon for your Child
As oral surgery specialists with extensive training and experience, we are able to offer a different kind of “wisdom teeth experience” to our patients and their families. We are with you every step of the way and pay extra attention to the most critical parts of your child’s care, including:
- Anesthesia with a variety of options available.
- Compassion and comfort make the experience as pleasant as possible.
- Home care and after-hours contact information.
- A thoughtful surgical strategy to minimize the need for invasive techniques.
- Careful consideration of timing to ensure the easiest recovery possible.
The Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal
The cost of wisdom teeth removal varies depending on several circumstances (positioning, level of impaction, number of teeth) that are unique to your teen’s case. We will discuss all costs with you upfront and can help you determine whether your insurance offers any benefits for the procedure.
The Cost of Waiting
Because it is so common for wisdom teeth to cause problems such as infection, pain, damage to neighboring teeth and, in rare circumstances, cysts and tumors, it is generally recognized as standard practice to remove them in most people during the late teens and early twenties, before the roots have fully developed. Waiting to remove them increases the likelihood of problems and complications should they need to be removed down the road.
Complications of Wisdom Tooth Removal
As with any surgical procedure, there are some possible complications associated with the removal of the third molars. However, since the procedure has been very well tested, these complications (nerve injuries, fractures and injury to the joint) are very rare, and, if the surgery is performed at an early age, the risk is even less.
The Trouble with Wisdom Teeth
Are you still feeling unsure? Consider this: Wisdom teeth that are not removed can cause the following problems throughout your life:
Infection
Your gums can become infected, a condition known as “pericoronitis”, due to the wisdom teeth unsuccessfully trying to push through the gum tissue. This condition, which causes pain, swelling and problems swallowing, can recur periodically.
Cysts and Benign Tumors
Cysts are fluid-filled pockets that can form inside the jawbone when wisdom teeth are impacted. They can be very damaging and difficult to treat as they destroy jawbone and even neighboring teeth.
Crowding and Alignment Issues
It should be no surprise that impacted wisdom teeth crowd your smile, causing misalignment issues, even if you have had braces.
Damage to Nearby Teeth
Wisdom teeth are notorious for damaging their neighbors by making it difficult to practice good hygiene in the area. This often results in decay, gum disease and sometimes bone loss.
If you have been putting off wisdom teeth surgery, give us a call – we can give you the calm, safe, comfortable experience you are looking for!
Wisdom Teeth Reviews
★★★★★ Some of our 5-star wisdom teeth reviews
“Dr.Shah performed the surgery to take out two of my wisdom teeth. It felt like the procedure lasted about 2 minutes. I had no issue with the anesthesia, and it felt like I had just blinked and everything was over.”
“Dr Patterson and Dr Meyer are wonderful!!!! They put me at ease with the removal of my wisdom teeth and I have no pain! They are amazing and very easy to talk to!! Definitely recommend!”
“Dr. Paterson performed my wisdom teeth surgery. I was extremely scared of this surgery but him and his staff helped me feel comfortable and get through it. He was also understanding of my situation and why I was scared and never made me feel judged. The recovery process for me has been smooth and quick.”
“Each staff member was knowledgeable and compassionate. Follow-up care was clear and thorough. All went out of their way to reassure me and my daughter who was the patient.”