Wisdom Tooth Extractions – San Antonio, TX
Safely Remove Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The longer you have wisdom teeth, the harder it will be to remove them if they start causing complications. As such, having them removed is often viewed as a rite of passage for patients in their late teens and early twenties! If you’re in this age range and you’re dealing with abnormal symptoms, like chronic jaw pain, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel. That way, he can start figuring out the best steps to take for your oral health, including options for wisdom tooth extractions in San Antonio, TX.
Why Choose HIC Dental - Implant & Family Dentistry for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Oral Conscious and Nitrous Oxide Sedation
- Dentist That’s Always Honest and Transparent
- Multiple Financial Options Available
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars. It’s believed that they earned the nickname due to the fact that they are the last to emerge (and wisdom comes with age). While they served a useful function a long time ago, they usually cause problems today due to there not being enough space in a patient’s mouth by the time they’re ready to erupt. As a result, they usually need to be removed.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Just because you have wisdom teeth doesn’t mean that they need to be removed. In fact, there are cases of people keeping them their entire lives without issue! Extraction is only needed if our dentist in San Antonio finds evidence that they could cause problems down the line, or if they’re currently causing:
- Damage to your other teeth
- Damage to your jaw
- Recurring sinus issues
- Inflamed gum tissue
- Recurring cavities
- Alignment problems
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
If we do determine that your wisdom teeth are more harmful than helpful, then we will proceed with either a simple or surgical extraction. A simple extraction is ideal when the tooth in question has already broken through the gumline, allowing us to rock it loose until it’s ready to be removed. If it’s trapped underneath, however, then we will need to create a small incision in the gums to access it. Then, we can remove it section by section before tending to the extraction site.
Important reminder: The first step of the process is always to numb your mouth thoroughly. That way, you don’t experience any pain while we work to remove your wisdom teeth.
Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Following your wisdom tooth extraction, you’ll need to take care of the surgical site while your mouth is recovering. More specifically, we recommend:
- Staying away from solid or crunchy foods for at least a week
- Taking prescribed or OTC pain medication as directed
- Brushing carefully around the extraction site
- Using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time
- Not using straws, spitting, or smoking
Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
If you need one or more wisdom teeth extracted, it’s natural that you’d be curious about the cost of this procedure. However, because there are a variety of factors that can influence the price, there is no way to provide a quote over the phone, or a one-size-fits-all price that covers every person. That’s why an in-person consultation with your dentist in San Antonio is so important. At this time, Dr. Patel will examine the tooth or teeth in question and customize a treatment plan just for you, including financial options that may make it more manageable for your budget. Until then, here’s a closer look at how we’ll determine your cost of wisdom tooth extractions once you’ve been seen.
Factors That Can Impact the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
The cost of wisdom tooth extractions can vary based on several important factors which Dr. Patel will discuss with you during your consultation. These typically include:
- How many wisdom teeth you need removed. Did you know that not everyone has four wisdom teeth? Some people never get them, while others can have anywhere between one and six!
- Whether or not your wisdom teeth are impacted. Impacted teeth cost more to remove. There are two types of impactions, soft tissue impaction occurs when the tooth or teeth have fully or partially emerged, while bony impaction requires the tooth to be removed from the jawbone.
- The type of anesthesia and/or sedation required. Depending on whether you need a surgical or simple extraction, you may require a deeper level of sedation and/or anesthesia, which will incur a separate cost.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
Unfortunately, not all dental insurance plans will offer benefits for dental surgery. However, most will cover at least a portion of the cost of wisdom tooth extractions. This depends, of course, on whether you’ve met your annual deductible or maximum. The best way to learn about your specific coverage is to call your dental insurance provider directly. Our team is happy to assist you with this step if you’d like!
Other Options for Making Wisdom Tooth Extractions Affordable
In addition to being proudly in-network with a variety of popular dental insurance plans, HIC Dental - Implant & Family Dentistry is pleased to welcome payment plans from our preferred third-party lender, CareCredit. This program allows patients to break up the cost of their wisdom tooth extractions into multiple, low-to-no-interest monthly payments that are better suited to their individual budget. To learn more about CareCredit, visit our website or call our friendly team for assistance.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction FAQs
Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?
The procedure itself shouldn't hurt at all. Our dentist in San Antonio, Dr. Patel, will begin by ensuring your mouth is thoroughly numbed, so you don't feel any pain during the procedure. You might still feel pressure and motion in your mouth, but it shouldn’t be uncomfortable.
If you're anxious about the process, our team also offers sedation dentistry options to help you stay calm and comfortable from start to finish. After your procedure, you may experience some soreness and swelling, but this is entirely normal. As you heal, the discomfort will fade, but if you need to take the edge off, over-the-counter pain medication and good oral care will minimize irritation and soreness.
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
Millions of years ago, human ancestors were a lot different—not just in their looks, but also in their habits and diet. Wisdom teeth evolved to grind tough, fibrous plants, roots, nuts, and raw meat that were available at the time. However, when cooking methods arrived and agriculture became more common, evolution took another hard turn.
Instead of getting bigger jaws, early man developed a larger skull for a more complex brain. Fast forward to today. Now, most mouths don‘t have enough room to accommodate wisdom teeth comfortably, which is why they so often erupt in awkward ways.
How Should I Prepare for My Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
When it comes to your comfort and convenience, a little preparation goes a long way. Here’s a small checklist:
- Before your appointment, arrange for someone to drive you home, especially if you're receiving sedation.
- Stock your kitchen with soft, nutritious foods, like yogurt, applesauce, soup, and mashed potatoes. Doing this ahead of time will save you from a groggy trip to the store later.
- Fllow any pre-op instructions Dr. Patel gives you regarding eating or drinking.
- Have some over-the-counter pain medication ready to take on schedule after the procedure. This will help you stay ahead of any discomfort during the first couple of days.
What's the Best Age to Get Wisdom Teeth Removed?
While there’s no “right” age for wisdom tooth extraction, most dentists recommend addressing them in your late teens or early twenties. This ensures a much smoother experience because the roots are still developing and the surrounding bone is less dense. At this stage, your wisdom teeth are generally easier to remove, recovery tends to be faster, and the risk of complications is lower.
That said, wisdom tooth extractions in San Antonio can be performed at any age if they're causing problems. If you're concerned about your wisdom teeth, the best first step is a consultation. Contact our San Antonio office, and our team will take a look.