Those pesky third molars we affectionately call wisdom teeth can create painful dental problems. After years of developing within the jawbone, these large molars push toward eruption. This in itself can cause some discomfort. It’s teething as an adult. But in many cases, wisdom teeth become impacted, unable to erupt. They push and press against the neighboring teeth. You may wonder, if you have wisdom teeth is the cost to remove them worth it?
A gum flap called an operculum may form over the third molar’s crown. Beneath the flap, bacteria collect, which leads to infection. So, on top of the teething pain, the operculum creates a new problem.
For those whose wisdom teeth are not impacted, they may erupt without incident. But wait, you aren’t out of the woods yet. Because wisdom teeth are in the very back of the mouth, they’re difficult to keep clean. Intentional brushing and flossing of course helps. Many people’s wisdom teeth develop multiple cavities, and gum disease is also a risk.
In today’s blog, you’ll learn about why, for wisdom teeth, cost to remove them is well worth the investment. We’ll review:
Common problems with wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth: cost to remove
The extraction procedure
Patient experiences & recovery tips
Wisdom teeth consultation
If you have questions after reading this article, call Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta at 404-974-2937. Dr. Andrew C. Aiken and Dr. Drew Shessel are experienced oral surgeons, serving families in and around Atlanta.
We have office locations in Dunwoody and Atlanta.
Common Problems with Wisdom Teeth
Some patients opt to have wisdom teeth removed as a preventive measure, so the issues listed below don’t occur. Others wait until pain presents. The best age for wisdom teeth removal is in the late teens or early twenties. If you wait until later, the potential for complications will be greater.
Wisdom teeth can lead to these issues:
Impaction
Infection
Tooth Decay
Overcrowding
Pain
Difficulty Chewing
Halitosis (bad breath)
Jaw cysts
Wisdom Teeth: Cost to Remove
Is it worth it? When it comes to wisdom teeth, the cost of removing them (extraction) is well worth the benefits. If wisdom teeth develop naturally and have erupted, the cost for extraction is much lower, at about $300-800 per tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth extraction is a more complex procedure. The cost to extract unerupted or impacted wisdom teeth runs from $350 to $1500, depending upon the case.
If your case is considered a medical necessity and you carry dental insurance, part of the costs may be covered. Qualifying cases usually include impaction, infection, damage to neighboring teeth, and pain.
The Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure
Whether you have one wisdom tooth or all four (some people even have five), their removal is possible. As oral surgeons, Drs. Aiken and Shessel completed dental school, then continued their postgraduate education to become specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery. They offer many procedures, but the most common is wisdom teeth extraction.
As oral surgeons, the doctors are trained and licensed to administer IV anesthesia for optimal patient comfort. If one or more of your wisdom teeth are impacted, you may need IV sedation. For erupted, healthy wisdom teeth, local anesthetic should be sufficient. Once medication has been administered to ensure comfort, patients with impacted wisdom teeth undergo a short oral surgery procedure.
The surgeon incises the gum tissue to expose both the tooth and the bone around it. Any bone blocking root access is removed, and sometimes the tooth is broken into segments at this point for easier removal. Next, the tooth is removed from the bone. The doctor will thoroughly clean the socket before administering sutures. Note that not everyone needs stitches. After packing the area with gauze, the procedure is finished.
Patient Experiences & Recovery Tips
Is recovery difficult? Not usually. Here’s a review from one of our patients:
“Had wisdom tooth pain and had an appointment on Thursday. Doctor said he could take them out on Friday and I'd be good to go for my bowling on Saturday. He wasn't wrong and I won all 3 games! Very nice doctor and staff, obviously getting teeth pulled isn't fun but they did a quick and easy job and tried to make it as calming as possible. Thankful I found such a good office to handle the extraction!” - CL
Here’s another one:
“I had my wisdom teeth removed almost 3 weeks ago. It went extremely well! The staff was super kind and amazing. Everything was explained to me as things were happening which was helpful.
Dr. Shessel was great! He even called me later in the day of my surgery to check in on me which was a pleasant surprise. The recovery process went smooth and no complications, which I am grateful for.
Overall, it was a good experience and I would go back to them if I ever need dental work done. Thank you to the staff!” -LF
To read more, visit our Google Business page here.
If you choose a reputable, experienced oral surgeon like Dr. Aiken or Dr. Shessel for your wisdom teeth extraction, expect a thorough evaluation, exam, and discussion during your first appointment. We will take x-rays so that the doctor can see what’s beneath the surface of your gums. All of this information significantly improves the potential for a successful procedure.
These pre- and post-operative instructions will help you prepare for your procedure and experience a quick recovery.
Wisdom Teeth Consultation
We are accepting new patients! And we have office locations in Dunwoody and Atlanta.
Are you ready to talk with one of the Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta surgeons about wisdom teeth extraction for you or a loved one? Call us today at 404-974-2937 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Andrew C. Aiken or Dr. Drew Shessel.
Should you need extraction of wisdom teeth, cost to remove them will be discussed and arranged by our financial specialist. We accept most insurances and can direct you to trusted patient financing institutions if you need to make payments on your procedure.
