Wisdom Teeth FAQs
What are impacted wisdom teeth?
These are wisdom teeth that are fully or partially trapped in the jawbone or gums at the time when they should be erupted.
Do all wisdom teeth need to be removed?
No. Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed BUT all wisdom teeth need to be evaluated by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMFS). With their advanced training and experience in evaluations and extractions, oral surgeons are the most qualified to perform wisdom teeth removal.
At what age should wisdom teeth be evaluated?
We recommend between the ages of 16 and 25. If you are experiencing symptoms of impacted or infected wisdom teeth or you are interested in having your wisdom teeth evaluated, please contact our office at Milford Phone Number 203-874-1664 to schedule a consultation.
What if I don’t have my wisdom teeth removed as a teenager or young adult?
As wisdom teeth develop, the roots become longer and the jaw bone becomes denser. When it is necessary to remove impacted wisdom teeth in your thirties, forties or beyond, the post-operative course can be prolonged and there is a higher complication rate. Treating these complications is often more difficult and less predictable than with a younger patient. Healing may be slower and the chance of infection can be increased.
If your impacted wisdom teeth are not removed in your teenage years or early in your twenties and they are completely impacted in bone, monitoring them to ensure they do not change position is advisable. In general, you will heal faster, more predictably and have fewer complications if treated in your teens or early twenties.
What are my anesthesia options?
At your consultation, you will be provided with appropriate anesthesia options, which are based on your health history and level of anxiety. You and your surgeon will discuss and decide the most appropriate option for you, determining the use of local anesthesia, laughing gas (nitrous oxide), or IV sedation. All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize your comfort.
Our accredited staff has the training, licensing, and experience to provide the various types of anesthesia. These services are provided in an environment of optimum safety, utilizing modern monitoring equipment with a well-trained, experienced staff. The Surgical Care Team, the office facilities, and the doctors are inspected and certified by the Board of Dental Examiners, the Connecticut Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, as well as the national accrediting agency, The Joint Commission.
What are the pre-operative instructions for wisdom tooth surgery?
In general, we ask that a parent/ legal guardian (required for minors under age 18), or responsible adult accompanies you to the office and plans to stay with you the rest of the day. The procedure will take about 30 to 60 minutes and you will probably be in the office for 90 minutes. Recent advances in medicine and technology allow patients to undergo wisdom tooth removal in a manner which promotes rapid healing and minimal post-operative discomfort. State-of-the-art sterilization and infection control techniques are used at all times.
For those using local anesthesia or nitrous oxide, there is no required preparation for surgery. A light meal is recommended as one’s mouth may be numb several hours post-surgery, making eating difficult.
For those patients who will be undergoing general anesthesia through IV sedation, it is essential that you have nothing to eat or drink from midnight the night before. Having anything in your stomach can increase the risk for serious anesthetic complications, including nausea and vomiting. Your procedure will be rescheduled if you have not heeded these guidelines. The ONLY exception is taking prescription medications with a sip of water.
What happens on the day wisdom teeth are removed?
You are asked to arrive at our office 10 minutes prior to your surgery time. Once you are checked in, a surgical assistant will escort you to the treatment room and get you settled. After your vitals are taken, the surgeon will re-review the steps of surgery and address any questions you may have.
For local anesthesia, a topical gel will be placed at the sites where the local injections will occur. Once numb, the surgeon will inject the local anesthetic at the appropriate location(s), allowing time for the anesthetic to work. All locations will be checked for numbness prior to the beginning of any removal.
For laughing gas (nitrous oxide) patients, an adjustable nasal hood will be placed over your nose. You will be asked to breathe through your nose, where the laughing gas will be inhaled. Nitrous oxide provides a warm, comfortable feeling, of which the patient has control over. The surgeon will then proceed with the topical gel and eventual local site injections before proceeding to removal.
For those patients receiving IV sedation, we usually place an IV in your left arm. This is a quick and nearly painless procedure that ensures optimal delivery of your medication. The local anesthesia injections are also given to ensure comfort. After surgery, you will be awakened, however you will be sleepy for a significant portion of the day.
In some cases, surgery may require stitches. These sutures are usually the type that dissolve 3 to 5 days and do not require removal. You may notice a sensation of your gums feeling swollen and pulling away from your teeth. This is all part of normal recovery and will subside in several days.
Upon returning home, rest is recommended for the remainder of the day. We recommend starting your post operative diet with clear liquids, gradually increasing as your body permits. A soft diet – items like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, ice cream – are recommended, avoiding the surgical sites as much as possible.
How much pain will I be in?
Once the local anesthesia wears off, you will have some pain; pain differs for every individual, based on the ease or difficulty of the removal(s). The local anesthesia may last several hours.
Our pain management protocol advises you to take pain medication before the local anesthesia wears off. Mild to moderate pain should always be controlled with over-the-counter pain medication. The recommendation is to take 400mg of Ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) PLUS 325mg Tylenol® every four hours.
The surgical assistant will review all post-operative instructions with you (and if IV sedated, with your escort) prior to you leaving our office. Written instructions will also be provided for easy reference.
What does wisdom tooth removal cost and is it covered by insurance?
The fee for your treatment is determined by a number of factors. These may include the difficulty involved in removing your teeth and which type of anesthesia is best for you. During your consultation appointment, the surgeon will need to review your x-rays, complete an examination and determine the best option for anesthesia, before an accurate estimate can be provided. Every insurance company has a different policy regarding the extent of coverage for a given surgical procedure. Our Financial Coordinator will help you obtain maximum insurance coverage for your treatment.
What if I have questions before surgery?
At the time of your consultation, your specific situation will be discussed in greater detail. We encourage you to ask any questions you may have. If new questions arise after your consultation, please call our office at Milford Phone Number 203-874-1664 to speak to one of our patient care coordinators or email us at [email protected].