Wisdom Teeth Removal in Fresno, CA
Safe, Effective Third Molar Removal
The doctors at Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center offer wisdom teeth removal in Fresno, CA. Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the final set of teeth to develop and grow into the mouth. These teeth usually come in between the ages of 17 to 25, but can come in earlier or later. Often, there is simply not enough room in the mouth for these teeth to grow in properly. If impacted wisdom teeth are left untreated, they can cause complications, such as gum disease, shifting of adjacent teeth, infection, and pain in the mouth. Early detection and removal of wisdom teeth are the best prevention to oral health problems.
If your wisdom teeth are impacted, or there is not enough room in your mouth to accommodate them, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may need to remove them. Your oral surgeon will perform an exam and take 3D scans to determine if your wisdom teeth should be removed.
Why Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
Most patients’ mouths are unable to accommodate an extra set of molars. Wisdom teeth often cause problems if they are left in the mouth without the space to grow in properly. Most dental professionals recommend having wisdom teeth removed before the root structure develops if they are positioned poorly. Having wisdom teeth removed during this time is often easier on the patient and prevents the following oral health problems from occurring:
- Impaction (in which a tooth has only partially erupted through the gums) often leads to infection due to bacteria and germs hiding in the space created by the impacted tooth.
- Infections can spread to healthy teeth and bone tissue and cause pain and other problems.
- Cysts and tumors can develop from an untreated infection, which can cause permanent bone damage.
- Damage to the adjacent teeth can occur when wisdom teeth are left to grow sideways.
- Dental crowding occurs when teeth are pushed together. This can happen when untreated wisdom teeth are left to grow sideways, forcing the adjacent teeth inward.
Fortunately, these common dental issues are preventable. Having your wisdom teeth checked and evaluated before they erupt allows you and your dental team the time to treat your specific dental issues and prevent major complications before they ever occur.
When Is the Right Time for Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Most patients experience wisdom teeth removal when they are teenagers or young adults. However, the development of the teeth is more important than the age of the patient. Removal is usually recommended between the ages of 13 and 20, especially if the wisdom teeth are showing signs of poor positioning or other problems. At this stage, the teeth are smaller and easier to remove. This makes for an easier recovery for the patient.
Many patients schedule their wisdom teeth removal around a break from work or school to allow adequate time for rest and recovery. If you are recommended for wisdom teeth removal, it is a good idea to allow yourself a few days to recover after your procedure.
About the Procedure
At Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center, wisdom teeth removal is a common oral surgery procedure. During your consultation appointment, you will have a thorough oral examination with one of our oral and maxillofacial surgeons. They will also take 3D scans of your mouth and teeth, and discuss your options for anesthesia. Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons are highly trained in anesthesia administration for patients of all ages.
Your procedure will be performed in a state-of-the-art surgical center. The surgery will start with the administration of your previously decided anesthesia option. If you choose IV anesthesia, you will need a designated driver to accompany you to your appointment and take you home.
If your wisdom teeth are partially or completely beneath the gums, the surgeon will lift the gum tissue to reach the teeth. On occasion, wisdom teeth will need to be sectioned into smaller pieces for complete removal. Once the oral surgeon removes the tooth, the surgical site will be sutured, and you will rest until the anesthesia wears off.
Once you are able to leave, your designated driver will take you home where they should stay with you for the next 24 hours, until the anesthesia fully wears off. It is important to keep the extraction sites clean throughout the healing process. Do not drink through straws, as this can cause dry socket. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water beginning the day after surgery. Pain or swelling is normal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication, ice packs, and eating soft foods. To prevent infection it is also important that you finish any prescribed antibiotics.
We want to protect our patients' health even after leaving our office. To that end, we proudly offer stem cell banking services to use in future regenerative medicines and therapies. Watch the video to learn more!
Bank Stem Cells From Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth contain powerful stem cells. Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center is partnered with Stemodontics®, a leading stem cell banking service. Your oral surgeon can harvest these important stem cells after wisdom tooth removal, and Stemodontics will store them for future use. Many stem cell therapies are in development to treat a range of conditions. Ask us about your options for protecting your future through stem cell banking.
Types of Anesthesia
Our surgeons offer many options for anesthesia and sedation to ensure your comfort during treatment.
Hear From Wisdom Tooth Removal Patients
These patients can tell you about the firsthand experience undergoing wisdom tooth removal at our office.
Reviews From Our Wisdom Tooth Removal Patients
"My wisdom teeth were impacted. They were coming sideways, and I just had braces, so I didn't want my teeth to be messed up. I wanted them to stay perfect, so that's why I needed to get them out. I was definitely nervous when I came in, but all the doctors were super nice and very caring and got me to calm down, and it was super easy and really nice. Just relaxing — got me to feel very comfortable here. Dr. Barnhart, she definitely — initially, I was very scared. I haven't gotten an IV in a long time, and when she was giving the IV, she helped soothe me and calm me down. When she did it, it didn't even hurt. I don't even know why I was freaking out. The staff was great. As soon as I walked in, they were very welcoming, and you felt very comfortable here. After the surgery, I feel great. Now I'm happy with my teeth. Definitely, I would recommend Fresno Oral Surgery to anybody in Fresno, Clovis, and Visalia, CA, that had to come here and get a procedure. It was a great experience."
"Hi, my name is Krystal Ramos. I am from Atwater. I came to Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center to have my wisdom teeth removed. Walking in the facility, I felt very comfortable. The staff were very thoughtful. The doctor was very confident in what he was doing, which helped me knowing that it was going to be an easy procedure. The recovery went well. I felt really good that the doctor reached out to me after my procedure. I feel great now. It feels amazing to have a beautiful and healthy smile. My overall experience was fabulous. I definitely recommend Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center to everyone."
"When I first came into the Fresno Oral Surgery office, there was a nice mellow mood. They got me in at a timely manner, and everything went smoothly from there. The doctors explained everything to me thoroughly. They made sure that I was taken care of and that they were giving me their all. Surgery went smooth—it was not even 30 minutes, in and out. Within a couple days, I was up and going back to my 100% self. For my friends and family in Clovis, Selma, and Madera, I highly recommend Fresno Oral Surgery."
"The staff was very nice to me. They told me what was going to happen and what was going to happen after, and how to take care of my teeth. Dr. Huh was very nice to me and communicated with me, made sure I knew what was happening, and made it very clear to me. [He] asked me about my favorite teams and just made me very comfortable. My recovery time was very quick. It was, just, do the things the doctors told you to do after, and that was that. I had a great experience here and I would highly recommend Fresno Oral Surgery."
"Well, it was recommended by my dentist to get oral surgery done here. Well, it was my last wisdom tooth to be removed, and he felt it needed to be removed because it had gotten a little bit of gingivitis and cavities and all that. I came in and waited in the waiting room, and I had selected beforehand to be put under nitrous oxide as well — I highly recommend that because you won't even care, and it makes it a lot more relaxing. Dr. Barnhart is a very nice person, very efficient in what she does. She was quick. I was out of there in maybe 10 minutes. To all my friends in Fresno and Kingsburg, CA, I highly recommend Fresno Oral Surgery."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you be put out for wisdom teeth removal?
IV sedation is not necessary for every wisdom tooth extraction. If you prefer, and your oral surgeon has approved, wisdom teeth can be removed while you are awake. Your mouth will be numbed with local anesthetic to ensure you are comfortable.
What happens if you wait too long to get wisdom teeth out?
Wisdom teeth that are left untreated or are partially erupted are not easy to clean and can lead to gum disease, infection, dental shifting, and bone damage. Early removal is the best prevention in avoiding these complications.
How painful is wisdom teeth removal?
You shouldn't feel any pain while your wisdom teeth are being removed. Your surgeon will administer your previously decided option for anesthesia to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during the procedure. However, if you do feel pain during the procedure, tell your dentist or oral surgeon so they can give you more anaesthetic.
How many days off do I need for wisdom teeth?
The recovery process from wisdom teeth surgery is different for every patient but typically takes about 3 days. It is important to rest and stick to a soft food diet for the first few days after the procedure.
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