TRUSTED ORAL SURGERY CARE
Evidence-based evaluation, removal, or monitoring of third molars, following the guidelines of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Dr. Alex Lee, DMD · Oral & maxillofacial surgeon
SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY PATIENT
Prevents Future Problems
Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infection, decay, gum disease around neighboring molars, and cysts, often without any symptoms.
Better Outcomes When Treated Early
Complications and recovery time increase with age, so AAOMS recommends deciding on removal or monitoring by the mid-20s.
Removal Isn’t Always Required
Healthy, fully erupted, disease-free wisdom teeth can be kept and monitored with regular exams and X-rays.
About the service
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop, usually appearing between ages 17 and 25. Many jaws simply don’t have room for them, so they often become impacted: trapped beneath the gum or bone, or only partially erupted. Partially erupted teeth are hard to clean and can harbor bacteria even when they don’t hurt.
We follow the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) guidelines: wisdom teeth that are associated with disease, or are at high risk of developing it, should be removed, while healthy, disease-free teeth can be kept under active surveillance. Because the absence of symptoms does not mean the absence of disease, this decision is based on a careful exam and imaging, not on pain alone.
Dr. Lee evaluates each tooth individually, reviews its position relative to the nerves and sinuses, and explains whether removal or monitoring is the better choice for you. Surgery, when recommended, is performed in our office with local anesthesia, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. Learn more about our anesthesia options and oral surgery instructions before your visit.
About the service
01
Book Your Consultation
We review your symptoms, dental and medical history, and examine the position and health of each wisdom tooth.
02
3D Imaging
A panoramic X-ray or CT scan shows root shape and how close each tooth is to the nerve and sinus, so surgery can be planned safely.
03
Personalized Recommendation
We discuss removal versus monitoring, the risks and benefits of each, and your anesthesia options, then decide together.
04
Surgery Day
Removal is an outpatient procedure, usually under IV sedation. All four wisdom teeth are often removed in a single visit.
05
Recovery & Follow-Up
Most patients return to normal activities within a few days. You’ll receive written aftercare instructions and a follow-up visit to confirm healing.
Patient education
Planning your treatment
What affects the cost
The cost of wisdom tooth removal depends on how many teeth are removed, whether they have fully come in or are impacted in bone, how close they are to nerves or the sinus, and the type of anesthesia you choose.
After your exam and X-rays, we review the estimated cost with you before treatment begins.
Insurance & financing
Wisdom tooth removal is commonly covered in part by dental insurance. We verify your benefits before treatment.
Cherry and CareCredit payment plans are available for any remaining balance. See insurance & financing options
After surgery
01
The first 24 hours
Bite gently on gauze to control bleeding, rest with your head elevated and use ice packs 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. If you had IV sedation, an adult must drive you home.
02
Days 2 to 3
Swelling and jaw stiffness usually peak now. Stay on soft foods, take pain medication as directed, and avoid straws, spitting and smoking to protect the blood clot.
03
Days 4 to 7
Most patients feel much better and return to school or work. Use gentle warm salt-water rinses as instructed and slowly add foods that are easy to chew.
04
When to call us
Call us if you have heavy bleeding, a fever, or pain that gets worse after the third day instead of better, which can be a sign of dry socket or infection.
05
Full healing
The gums close over the sites within a few weeks, and the bone underneath continues to fill in over the following months.
FAQ
Many oral surgeons recommend an evaluation in the late teens or early twenties, when the roots are not fully formed and recovery tends to be easier. Teeth that are impacted, only partly erupted, decayed, or causing pain, infection or crowding are common reasons for removal.
No. Wisdom teeth that have fully come in, are healthy, positioned correctly and easy to clean may be monitored instead. An exam and X-rays show whether yours are likely to cause problems.
You can choose local anesthesia, nitrous oxide or IV sedation. Many patients having impacted wisdom teeth removed choose IV sedation and remember little of the procedure.
Removing all four wisdom teeth usually takes under an hour, although the full visit is longer to allow for preparation and recovery from sedation.
Start with cool, soft foods like yogurt, smoothies (with a spoon, not a straw), applesauce, mashed potatoes and soup that isn’t hot. Add soft solid foods as you feel comfortable, usually after a few days.
We’re here to help you feel confident about your care, from your first question to your last follow-up.
Learn more
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