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
"My name is Meg, I’m from Provo, Utah, and I had my wisdom teeth removed by Dr. Harris. To describe this practice, I would say that it is welcoming and comforting. I remember coming in being extremely nervous because this was the first time that I had been put under anesthesia. Everyone who I came in contact with, from the receptionist to the nurses to the doctors, made me feel so comfortable. They answered all of my questions. I was explained in detail what would be happening during the surgery, and that really allowed me to feel confident going into the procedure. The staff here was welcoming and engaging. They were all very charismatic. They were wonderful to interact with, and they really made me feel comfortable. Overall, I loved my experience here at Utah Surgical Arts. For my friends and family in and around Provo, I highly recommend Utah Surgical Arts."
"My name is Steve, I’m from Lehi, Utah, and I came here because there’s a great reputation that this clinic has for wisdom teeth extraction. My son was quite nervous. He’s never gone through something like this. The staff was phenomenal. As we came in, it was very welcoming and warm. It was an atmosphere where, you know, we felt safe. They put him at ease, they walked him through the process, and they did an excellent job. The surgery was really smooth. Dr. Harris is phenomenal. He gave us a good roadmap of what to expect with my son and his recovery time. They were just wonderful and very excellent, very professional. For my friends and family in Lehi and also in the Utah County area in general, I would highly recommend Utah Surgical Arts."
"My name is Matthew and I am from Provo, and I came to Utah Surgical Arts to get my wisdom teeth removed. When I walked through the doors, it was a pretty comforting atmosphere here. The doctor was very professional and I felt like I was in really good hands. The staff are really kind and friendly. They put my mind at ease by acting very professional and like they’ve done this before. It was a quick procedure and an easy recovery. My overall experience here was great. To my friends and family here in Provo, the doctors at Utah Surgical Arts are awesome."
"My name is Kate, and I am from Provo, Utah, and I had my wisdom teeth removed. I was really nervous. I don’t like surgery or needles or anything like that, but Utah Surgical Arts is very attentive and caring with their patients. The staff here was great. They made me feel confident and calm, and I wasn’t nervous anymore to get it done. Dr. Harris is an amazing doctor. He is very kind and easy to talk to, and he made me feel very welcome, and I wasn’t scared or anything like that — it was great. I would give Utah Surgical Arts five stars. I had a great experience here, and I highly recommend Dr. Harris."
"I have two sons that both needed wisdom teeth out. One son needed it before he got his braces [on] because there wasn't enough room in his mouth, and the other son just needed to get them out before he goes on a mission. One son saw Dr. Park, and one son saw Dr. Harris. Everything went great. We didn't have any complications. The boys both did well. The staff at Utah Surgical Arts is very friendly. they were all very professional and answered all my questions that I had. We went home with good instructions, and they followed up with us. If any of my friends in Pleasant Grove, Spanish Fork, or Provo needed their wisdom teeth out, I would definitely recommend Utah Surgical Arts."
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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