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
"My name’s Chris, I’m from Provo, and I had my wisdom teeth pulled by Dr. Park. It was a really awesome experience. Everyone here was super nice and friendly. The staff and the receptionists consulted with me before and really worked with all my questions I had, answering them, and made me feel really comfortable. The surgery went really well. Dr. Park really helped me out, and he really knew what he was doing. After, I felt really happy and felt satisfied. I had a great experience, and I would recommend any family or friends to come to Utah Surgical Arts."
"Hi, my name is Missy from Highland, Utah. My 14-year-old had to have wisdom teeth out — they were growing in the wrong direction — so we called Dr. Park’s office. It was wonderful; she was crying when we got here, but the staff calmed her down. Dr. Park came in and reassured her that everything was going to be smooth and that she would wake up feeling great and happy — she would either be crying or be silly, and everything went as smooth as we could have expected. We did everything that Dr. Park’s office told us to do with icing and medication, and she healed very very nicely. Dr. Park is a great, great guy, very funny, makes you feel very calm when you come in, and I know that we were going to be in good hands when we brought my daughter in. Any family or friends out there that are looking for an amazing doctor, I highly recommend Dr. Park for this procedure."
"Hi. My name is Amy, and I am a mother of five boys, and three of my sons have come here to Utah Surgical Arts to have their wisdom teeth pulled. They each had kind of unique circumstances and so we were a little nervous about it, but Dr. Park was wonderful at calming their fears, and he just did a great job. My first son had seven wisdom teeth, and so he was a little nervous about his recovery. Then, my second son had six wisdom teeth, and he was nervous about shots. Then, my third son was actually in the fourth grade so he was just nervous because he was young and didn’t really understand about going under and things like that. Dr. Park was wonderful with them. He was real personal; he sat down with each one of them and kind of calmed their fears. He’s funny and kind of cool, and the boys like him. So it just really put their fears at rest. We are grateful for Dr. Park, and my two other boys, when they need their wisdom teeth, we will be here in this office to get them done."
"My two older kids both needed their wisdom teeth removed, and we had heard about Dr. Park and Dr. Harris and decided to come here. From the moment we walked in the door, we were greeted warmly and professionally but made to feel like we were just amongst friends, and so it was very comforting as a mom to know that my boys were in good hands when they had their wisdom teeth removed. And then, when the doctors talked with us, both Dr. Harris and Dr. Park spoke with us and calmed our nerves and put my boys at ease and my momma mind at ease, and I felt very comfortable. The recovery was awesome. They both healed very well and very quickly. I would definitely send all of my friends, and I do send all of my friends, to bring their kids to Dr. Park and Dr. Harris. As a matter of fact, I’ve got two more kids that are scheduled to have theirs done, and they’re excited to come in, actually, because they’ve heard nothing but good stories from their older brothers."
"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."
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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