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
"Hi, I’m Jorden; I’m from Lindon, Utah. I came to see Dr. Harris because I needed to get my wisdom teeth out for my mission. I hate shots and needles, so getting an IV was not my favorite part. The staff were very friendly, and the office was very comfortable, so it kind of calmed my nerves a little bit. Dr. Harris was really good about explaining what was happening and the kind of needle that he was using and just kind of explaining it a little bit more to take the unknown fear out of it. Dr. Harris was super funny, just kind of told me some jokes; like, I was really scared about the needle again, and he kind of just told me some jokes and kind of tried to take my mind off of it. I was worried if I would miss school, and he kind of just promised me I wouldn’t and told me if I did miss school, he would miss work and come hang out with me. The staff were all super friendly. They were very talkative. It was just very welcoming; it was just kind of nice. It wasn’t like they were busy or that I was a hassle; they were just very fine with me being there. If any of my friends in Lindon or Pleasant Grove or American Fork were getting their wisdom teeth out, I would definitely recommend coming to Utah Surgical Arts."
"My name is Jack; I’m from Highland, Utah. My daughter came to see Dr. Park because she needed her wisdom teeth taken out. Dr. Park really helped my daughter feel at home with the surgery — she was really nervous coming in — by explaining the procedure to her and helping her to know that everything would be okay and really put her mind at ease before she had the surgery. Her procedure went really well; in fact, her recovery was very quick, and she was back to her normal activities within a really short time. Dr. Park was unlike any other doctor that we’ve seen; he showed a lot of personal care, which we’ve never really experienced in a doctor before, and to us that extra personal touch and going that extra mile really made a difference for us. I would highly recommend Dr. Park; his personality, the way he made my daughter feel comfortable, and then his after-procedure support was amazing. We would highly recommend him. In fact, we have three other children, and we anticipate all three coming to Dr. Park down the road."
"Hi, I’m Lindsay, and I live in Cedar Hills. I had three procedures done at Utah Surgical Arts. The first procedure was an elective rhinoplasty, and that was performed by Dr. Park and Dr. Harris. They were wonderful, and I felt like I was in good hands. I loved the results; of course, that’s important as well, obviously, as it was an elective procedure — the result was my biggest priority. And then the second procedure, I had my wisdom teeth removed, and that was easy. I went home that same day, of course, and I felt great the next day. It went really, really smooth. And then the third procedure, I had a dental implant placed, and that, of course, was just as easy — easier than the wisdom teeth. I had no pain; I didn’t have to take any pain medication. They followed me closely and watched it and made sure it healed properly. Then I got the crown on, and I loved that result as well and had a really good outcome with that. Any of my friends that live in — Pleasant Grove is nearby, American Fork is nearby — or even Orem or any of these surrounding areas, I would absolutely recommend that they go to Utah Surgical Arts for any reconstructive surgery or facial surgery or any dental implants or wisdom teeth, anything like that. These are the best surgeons around, and I adore them. They’re wonderful!"
"Hi, I’m Anna. I’m from Provo. We came to Utah Surgical Arts to get my son’s wisdom teeth out. When I walked in here, I felt confident that my son was in great hands. The doctor did a great job with my son, and I felt very confident in his abilities. The staff here were wonderful to work with. They were kind and helpful and reassuring that everything was going to be great with my son. My son had a very successful procedure, and he had a great recovery. I highly recommend the doctors and the staff here at Utah Surgical Arts. I am so glad that my son got his wisdom teeth removed here. The quality of care he received here was truly amazing."
"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."
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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