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
"I am Cherie, and I am from Draper, Utah. I know Dr. Park's wife; we bowl together actually, and while we were bowling — I needed to get my son's wisdom teeth removed — and she recommended Dr. Park. Because my first son's surgery went so great, we decided to bring the rest of the family in. So then we brought in son number two, son number three, I myself had my wisdom teeth removed, and we just had son number four's done — it's been two years ago now — and son number five just had his done about three weeks ago. Everybody did great. Some of them had swelling, but most of us had no swelling even. We just had our wisdom teeth out, and within a few days, it was as if we'd never had our wisdom teeth out. I wouldn't put my kids in anybody's hands if I didn't feel like I trusted them, and I came in here, and I felt like they were professional and kind and friendly, and I felt like they cared about us, so I felt really comfortable having my kids be operated on by Utah Surgical Arts."
"Hi, I'm Terri, and I'm from Lindon, Utah. I saw Dr. Harris several years ago for my own personal tooth implant, and it went so well that I brought my daughter back for her wisdom teeth. She was so nervous, but the minute we came in, the staff was warm and friendly, and they told us how the procedure was going to go, and then within 30 minutes, they called me back, and she was done. I even asked her how it went, and she said it was fun. F-U-N. I would recommend Dr. Harris 110%. Just the way he treats his patients, his ability, his knowledge. Dr. Harris is, I would say, the best in the state."
"Hi, my name’s Paige; I’m from Provo, Utah. I came to Dr. Harris to get my wisdom teeth out. I work for Graf Orthodontics as a clinical assistant there. We really value high-quality care and efficient care, and so we actually refer to Dr. Harris a lot. That’s why I came to him because I know that I would get the best care that I could get. I was really nervous about the whole experience since I’ve never had a surgery before. Dr. Harris actually put in the IV for me since I was really nervous, so that was very sweet of him. And the whole experience was really great!"
"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."
"My name is Shelby and I came and got my wisdom teeth out. I went and I got some X-rays done and saw that I had two wisdom teeth that needed to be removed. The staff is incredible. They’re so friendly, nice, and were available at all hours of the day. I was extremely nervous. I had a nice one-on-one with the doctor previous to my surgery and he eased all of my anxieties. Dr. Harris was very funny. He was very professional and he was also just very kind in answering any questions that I had. Overall my experience here was incredible. So for my friends and family throughout Lehi and Provo, I 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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