Wisdom Teeth Removal 

Wisdom teeth are your third and final set of molars. They usually erupt between ages 17 and 25, which is much later than the other adult teeth. Because they develop so late, many people forget or don’t know that their wisdom teeth are coming until they start having pain or other problems. If left untreated, third molars can cause a number of oral health conditions that are completely avoidable by having them removed.

Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal

When wisdom teeth are causing pain, they should be removed right away. However, wisdom teeth do not always cause pain. Some people may not be aware that wisdom teeth are present, and these unerupted wisdom teeth can later present with problems such as the development of cysts or tumors.

This is why we stress the importance of attending regular exams with the dentist. 

Your existing molars are adequate for chewing, so this additional set of molars is unnecessary for proper function. Most people’s mouths are too small to accommodate four extra molars. Although rare, if your wisdom teeth have enough space to grow into a healthy position, they may be difficult to maintain (i.e. flossing and brushing the backsides of these teeth), risking decay that can oftentimes jeopardize the second molars (interproximal decay or "kissing" lesions). In many cases, a wisdom tooth grows sideways and pushes against other teeth. A wisdom tooth can become impacted, or trapped beneath the gum tissue, in which case surgical intervention is necessary. Common conditions caused by wisdom teeth include:

  • Damage to the roots of other molars 
  • Loss of bone distal to the second molars
  • Crowding of healthy teeth (especially the lower teeth)
  • Impaction
  • Infections, which can lead to tooth decay or gum disease
  • Cyst and tumor formation of unerupted wisdom teeth

The easiest course of action is to have wisdom teeth removed before these problems arise, often before the teeth ever emerge from beneath the gums. Doing so can prevent future damage and discomfort for your existing teeth and healthy tissues.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery

Before your procedure, you will need to come in for an appointment so that your dentist can review your condition, take necessary x-rays or 3D scans, and discuss your treatment plan. Not all wisdom teeth extractions are the same, since wisdom teeth may or may not be erupted/visible, can be impacted, and may require different types of procedures to ensure proper healing (i.e. bone grafting to prevent issues with the second molars). If you have any questions about your wisdom teeth procedure or anesthesia instructions, this consultation is the perfect time for you to ask them. Dr. Shane is qualified to administer IV sedation anesthesia to ensure a comfortable surgical procedure. 

Visible teeth are simply and/or surgically removed with forceps and cutting tools. For impacted wisdom teeth, a portion of the gum tissue is reflected to reach the tooth. The tooth may be broken into smaller pieces to make removal easier.

Once the teeth are removed, the surgical sites will be sutured. You must arrange for a designated driver to remain in the office during your surgery, drive you home afterwards, and someone should remain with you for 24 hours.

Follow the instructions we provide very closely (you should receive a QR code with Post-op instructions). They will guide you on how to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth and care for your extraction sites. It's important not to use a straw for 1 week, as the suction could dislodge the blood clot within the tooth socket and create a painful condition known as dry socket.

Frequently Asked Questions

1How much does it cost?
There is no standard cost for a wisdom tooth removal procedure. The cost of your treatment will depend on several things, including the number of wisdom teeth you have, your choice of anesthesia, if any teeth are impacted, whether PRF/bone grafting is advised, and if you have insurance your co-pay will vary depending on the benefits of your insurance plan. We will provide a cost estimate at your consultation so that you know exactly what to expect. Our office accepts a variety of payment methods, and there are options available to finance the cost of your wisdom teeth removal. Learn more about our Financial Options & Policies.
2How long is the recovery?
Recovery is different for everyone, but most people will need to take it easy for a few days after the procedure. You will be advised on pain medication to help control any discomfort immediately following the surgery. Most patients are back to their normal routines after 3 or so days, but the surgical sites will need to stay clean until they are fully closed, which can take up to 2 weeks. Post-op instructions will be provided for optimizing your healing following surgery.
3What should I do before surgery?
IV sedation is the most common type of sedation for this procedure. Prior to your wisdom teeth removal, if you are undergoing IV sedation, do not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to surgery, unless you are required to take daily medication (in which you should take the necessary medication with minimum water). If your surgery is in the morning, do not consume food or liquids after midnight the night before surgery. Again, take all advised medications (i.e. blood pressure medication) with minimal water intake. Close toed shoes are advised to prevent tripping following the procedure. Women are strongly advised to remove nail polish from at least one nail or removing acrylic nails from at least one finger to ensure our pulse oximeter can read vitals. We will provide you with additional instructions before and after surgery which contain everything you need to know for a smooth surgical experience.
4Only 1 wisdom tooth hurts, so why is it recommended I get additional wisdom teeth removed?
You should have all wisdom teeth removed (if advised) at one surgical visit. This saves you recovery time and money, as whatever wisdom teeth you decide to leave in will eventually need to be removed due to the uncertain nature of these teeth.
5What training does Dr. Shane Turgeon have?
Dr. Shane completed an additional residency program after dental school. The program had emphasis on treatment planning complex cases, treating medically complex patients, and training in advanced techniques such as rotary endodontics, implants, and IV sedation. In his residency, Dr. Shane received an advanced program of didactic and clinical training in implant, fixed, and removable prosthodontics with the support of highly trained laboratory technicians; instruction in the management of medically compromised patients, geriatric patients, phobic patients, and didactic and clinical experience in the IV sedation techniques. The training also included clinical rotations in emergency medicine and anesthesiology. To become certified to administer IV sedation anesthesia, he was required to perform IV sedation in a hospital-based setting and is approved by the state of Florida to administer moderate IV sedation. Crestview Family Dentistry was required to have a review of all emergency equiptment, systems/operations reviewed, and pass a site inspection (which included obervation of the administration of IV sedation) prior to obtaining our office site permit. In addition to Dr. Shane's training, every staff member holds an active Basic Life Support/AED certification from the American Heart Association, and are trained monthly with emegency drills.