Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Albuquerque, NM
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Wisdom Tooth Removal
The third molars, better known as the wisdom teeth, usually start to come in around the ages of 17-22. For many people, this happens with no issue, but for most, these teeth end up causing a lot of problems. If you or your child are experiencing pain, swelling, or cavities due to the wisdom teeth, Nob Hill Oral & Facial Surgery of Albuquerque can quickly and comfortably take care of them, just like we have for thousands of other patients. To schedule wisdom tooth extractions in our office, contact us today.
Why Choose Nob Hill Oral and Facial Surgery of Albuquerque for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Team Led by 2 Experienced Oral Surgeons
-
Owned & Operated
by Albuquerque
Natives - Multiple Methods of Dental Sedation Available
Indications for
Wisdom Tooth Removal
If you or your child are experiencing any of the following symptoms, then it’s time to talk with us about having the wisdom teeth extracted:
- Persistent, dull pain toward the back of the mouth
- Numbness at the back of the mouth
- Pressure felt on the back teeth
- A change in the way the bite comes together
- Difficulty cleaning the back teeth
- A flap of gum tissue that is trapping food
- Cysts or other growths around the wisdom teeth
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
It’s very common for the wisdom teeth to become stuck, or impacted, while they are trying to come in. This is because most people do not have enough space in their mouth for these teeth, and they end up pressing against the back molars. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can even shift the teeth in a way that misaligns the bite, potentially leading to TMJ issues and even headaches.
How Wisdom Tooth Removal Works
The first thing our team will do is take an X-ray of a patient’s mouth so we can assess the position of their wisdom teeth. If we determine that they will cause significant problems in the future (if they are not already), we will recommend that they be removed. This involves a minor surgical procedure in which a patient is anesthetized, sedated, and a small amount of gum and bone tissue is removed so we can access a tooth. From there, the tooth is gently broken apart and removed in pieces, as this allows us to make the smallest incision possible to help shorten recovery time.
Aftercare for
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
You’ll likely be prescribed pain medication after your wisdom tooth procedure, and taking it as directed will help you largely avoid any initial pain and soreness. Some swelling is expected, and you’ll need to regularly change out the dressing over the surgery site(s) to slow down and stop the bleeding. To help speed up the recovery process, we recommend NOT smoking, using a straw, or spitting for the first 24 hours. We also advise patients to stick to a soft food diet for the first few days so it’s more comfortable to eat while their mouth heals.
Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
It’s best to have a wisdom tooth extraction performed as soon as possible, but you should only move forward with the procedure once you have an idea of how much it will cost. Not all patients will pay the same amount due to a number of factors, so it’s important for us to create an accurate estimate at your initial consultation. Remember that you can always ask our team for help if you would like any suggestions for fitting the cost of a wisdom tooth extraction into your budget.
Factors That Can Impact the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Some people have a full set of four wisdom teeth while others have three or fewer. The number of teeth that have to be removed plays a critical role in determining how much an extraction will cost. Naturally, the more teeth that are involved, the higher you can expect the cost to be.
The complexity of the extraction process also affects the amount you pay. It’s usually easier to remove a fully erupted wisdom tooth compared to one that is trapped underneath your gums.
If sedation is used during your wisdom tooth extraction, it will add to the overall cost. Many patients choose to have sedation performed in order to stay as calm and comfortable as possible during their procedure. However, others settle for just having their mouths numbed with a local anesthetic instead.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
Many dental insurance policies do indeed partially cover wisdom teeth extractions. Keep in mind that the complexity of the procedure could affect how much your insurance company pays. If it’s classified as a major treatment, you can expect coverage to be around 50%; in other situations, it could be as high as 80%.
We want you to be able to maximize your dental insurance benefits, which is why we’ll be more than happy to file any necessary claims. Additionally, you can always speak to one of our team members if you need any help understanding your plan.
At Nob Hill Oral and Facial Surgery of Albuquerque, we are in-network with numerous PPO plans to make our care more accessible to as many patients as possible. Some of our in-network insurance partners include Aetna, Cigna, Delta Dental, MetLife, and United Concordia.
How to Make Wisdom Tooth Extractions Affordable
With third-party financing, even uninsured patients can find an easier way to pay for wisdom tooth extractions as well as many other procedures. At our practice, you can apply for a CareCredit financing plan, which will allow you to pay in affordable monthly installments. If you speak to our team, we can give you a detailed overview of how CareCredit works; we’ll also be glad to help you apply for a plan.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction FAQs
Is your wisdom tooth extraction coming up soon? You may still have some unanswered questions about the procedure, so we’re here to help! Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about wisdom tooth extractions. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, give us a call. We’d be happy to explain more about the procedure so you can feel prepared when yours comes around.
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
Today, wisdom teeth seem to cause nothing but issues. However, they actually benefited our early human ancestors many years ago. Early humans ate a diet of raw foods, including meat, berries, nuts, roots, and leaves. Because they didn’t cut up or cook their food, chewing them required a broader jaw and strong molars. Since their jaws were larger, wisdom teeth rarely caused issues when erupting. Now that we eat softer, easier-to-eat foods thanks to cooking, cutting, and other preparation methods, wisdom teeth aren’t always a necessity. Because most people in modern times don’t have a large enough jaw to accommodate wisdom teeth, they can end up causing more harm than good in the long run.
What’s the Best Age to Get Wisdom Teeth Removed?
There isn’t an exact age when your wisdom teeth need to be removed, but most dental professionals recommend extracting them sometime in early adulthood. Wisdom teeth can be removed later in life, but the procedure and recovery both tend to be easier when a patient is younger. If your dentist recommends that you have your wisdom teeth removed, it is better to do so sooner rather than later to avoid risks, like impaction, decay, cysts, and damage to surrounding teeth.
Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?
The first step of wisdom tooth removal is always numbing your mouth with a local anesthetic. You will also most likely be sedated, lowering your body’s ability to register pain. Ultimately, you can expect your procedure to be painless. Some soreness is common afterward, but by following your aftercare instructions, you should feel pretty much back to normal within a week.
How Long Does Wisdom Tooth Surgery Take?
On average, it takes somewhere between 15 to 20 minutes to extract a wisdom tooth, so removing all four can take up to 90 minutes. The time that it will take depends on the location and position of the teeth. Regardless of how long your procedure actually takes, you will probably find that it feels like barely any time has passed if you undergo sedation. Your oral surgeon will be able to give you an estimate of how long your procedure will take beforehand.