Wisdom Teeth Removal in Utah

WHY SHOULD I HAVE MY WISDOM TEETH REMOVED? | WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE MY WISDOM TEETH REMOVED AS A TEENAGER OR YOUNG ADULT? | WHAT HAPPENS ON THE DAY WISDOM TEETH ARE REMOVED? | WHAT DOES WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL COST AND IS IT COVERED BY INSURANCE? | WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS BEFORE SURGERY? |

Doctor pointing to digital xray of wisdom tooth

What are wisdom teeth?


Third molars are commonly referred to as wisdom teeth. They are usually the last teeth to develop and are located in the back of your mouth, behind your second molars. Their development is usually completed between the middle teenage years and early twenties.

doctor and patient looking at screen with 3d image of skull

Oral Examination for Extraction of Wisdom Teeth

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Dr. BroadbentDr. ChandlerDr. Hall, and Dr. McCormick can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there are present or future potential problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist, or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Our Board Certified doctors are trained, licensed, and highly experienced in providing various types of anesthesia for patients.

Why should I have my wisdom teeth removed?

If you do not have enough room in your mouth for your third molars to fully erupt, a number of problems can happen. Impacted wisdom teeth should be removed before their root structure is fully developed. In some patients it is as early as 12 or 13, and in others it may not be until the early twenties. Problems tend to occur with increasing frequency after the age of 30. Some of the possible problems related to not removing your wisdom teeth include:

A representation of a pericoronitis infection on a wisdom tooth

Infection:

The most frequent clinical problem we see is pericoronitis, (a localized gum infection). Without enough room for total eruption, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth can become irritated and infected, resulting in recurrent pain, swelling, and problems with chewing and/or swallowing.

An example of a cyst formation on a wisdom tooth

Cyst Formation:

Non-infectious diseases may also arise in association with an impacted wisdom tooth. Cysts are fluid-filled “balloons” inside the jaw bone that develop as a result of impacted teeth and slowly expand destroying adjacent jaw bone and occasionally teeth. They can be very difficult to treat if your wisdom teeth are not removed in your teenage years. Although rare, tumors can be associated with the delayed removal of wisdom teeth.

An illustration of teeth crowding caused by a wisdom tooth

Possible Crowding:

Impacted wisdom teeth may contribute to crowding of your teeth. This is most noticeable with the front teeth, primarily the lower front teeth and is most commonly seen after a patient has had braces. There are a number of factors that cause teeth to crowd after braces or in early adulthood. Retained, impacted wisdom teeth may be a contributing factor. Unless you have an active problem when you see the oral surgeon, the reason for removal is primarily to prevent long-term damage to your teeth, gums and jaw bone.

A visual of a wisdom tooth damaging an adjacent tooth

Damage to Adjacent Teeth:

If there is inadequate room to clean around the wisdom tooth, the tooth directly in front, the second molar, can be adversely affected resulting in gum disease, bone loss around the tooth, and/or decay.

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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 more dense. 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 may increase. In general you will heal faster more predictably and have fewer complications if treated in your teens or early twenties.

What happens on the day wisdom teeth are removed?

You will be provided with appropriate anesthesia options at your consultation.

On the day of your procedure, we ask that a parent or responsible adult accompanies you to the office and plans to stay with you the rest of the day. The average procedure will take about 30 to 60 minutes. You and your escort should plan on being in our office for about 90 minutes in total. 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.

On the morning or afternoon of your surgery, it is essential that you have nothing to eat or drink (speak with our doctors about taking prescribed medications prior to surgery) for at least 8 hours. 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.  When you are seated in the surgical room, we will make every effort to make you as comfortable as possible. If you are going to be sedated, we will administer the anesthesia through an IV. This is a quick and nearly painless procedure that ensures optimal delivery of your medication. Once you are sedated, local anesthesia is used to numb the extraction sites to ensure  your comfort during and after the procedure. You will be sleepy for a significant portion of the day.  Upon leaving our office, you will be instructed to take medications to help minimize post-operative pain and swelling.

mother and son in afternoon light

The Day of Treatment

Be sure to have an adult with you at the time of removal. Make plans to have a parent or responsible adult stay with you for the rest of the day following wisdom tooth removal.

If your surgery requires stitches, these are usually the type that dissolve in 3 to 5 days and do not require removal. You may also notice a sensation of your gums feeling swollen and pulling away from your teeth. This is all part of the normal recovery, and will subside in several days.

To help prevent opioid overdose and addiction, we will recommend non-narcotic medications to be taken as prescribed.  Please refer to our post operative instructions for more details.

If you are given antibiotics and you take birth control pills, please be aware that the birth control pills might become ineffective and take appropriate precautions.

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 office staff will help you obtain maximum insurance coverage for your treatment.

We recognize that your insurance may help you pay for part of your care. Your insurance coverage is a contract between you and your insurance carrier. As a courtesy, we will bill services provided in our office to your insurance carrier with the complete information you have provided. Visit our Insurance Frequently Asked Questions.

An initial payment is often required at the time of service depending on your insurance benefit and coverage. To help alleviate unexpected financial obligations, we recommend that you contact your insurance company to verify your treatment plan for your procedure. Also, if you require monthly payment options, we recommend PatientFi. They offer quick acceptance and low monthly patient options. 

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 Bountiful Office Phone Number 801-779-0506 to speak to one of our patient care coordinators.

smiling woman in sweater

The Day of Treatment

Please do not eat or drink anything 8 hours prior to your surgery. Having anything in your stomach can increase the risk for serious anesthetic complications.

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Wisdom Teeth Presentation

To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth are discussed.

Wisdom Teeth Presentation

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