Hassle-Free Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Remove Problematic Teeth Safely and Comfortably

Are your wisdom teeth causing you discomfort or are you worried they might be causing problems? At Los Gatos Dental Group, we understand that the thought of having your wisdom teeth removed can be a bit daunting. That's why we're here to offer you a comfortable and stress-free experience. Our highly skilled dentists, Dr. Diercks and Dr. Karamardian, use the latest techniques and technology to help make your wisdom teeth extraction as smooth and painless as possible. We'll guide you through every step of the process, answer all your questions, and create a custom aftercare plan just for you to promote a speedy recovery.

Restore Your Comfort

Woman holding up wisdom tooth after extraction

Why Choose Los Gatos Dental Group for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?

  • Experienced Dental Team
  • Sedation Available
  • Friendly & Welcoming Environment

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

X-ray of impacted wisdom tooth before extraction procedure

Ever wonder why they call them "wisdom" teeth? It's because they usually show up when you're older and wiser, between the ages of 17 and 25. They're like the late bloomers of the tooth world! Most people get four of them, one in each corner of your mouth, but some people have fewer or even none at all. And while some wisdom teeth come in just fine, others can cause a bit of trouble.

Do My Wisdom Teeth Need to Come Out?

Three wisdom teeth after removal

Sometimes, wisdom teeth don't have enough space to grow in properly. They can even get stuck under your gums or come in at an angle. This can lead to quite a few problems like:

  • Impacted Tooth: This is when your wisdom tooth is trapped beneath your gums or another tooth.
  • Crowded Teeth: Your wisdom teeth can push on your other teeth when they don't have any space to grow, making adjacent teeth crooked.
  • Inflammation: With nowhere to go, the area gets agitated and starts to swell, often leading to a lot of pain when you least expect it.
  • Infection: If your wisdom tooth area is painful, swollen, or it's hard to open your mouth, you might have an infection. This can also feel like a pain in your jaw, especially when biting down on something.
  • Damage to Other Teeth: Impacted wisdom teeth can damage the roots of your nearby teeth or make them more likely to get cavities.

If you're experiencing any of these issues, it's best to schedule your extraction sooner rather than later. This will help avoid any problems down the road and give your smile the time it needs to heal.

What Happens During a Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Metal clasp holding an extracted wisdom tooth

We know it's natural to feel a little anxious about having your wisdom teeth removed. At Los Gatos Dental Group, we make the entire experience as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Here's a peek at what you can expect:

  • Your Consultation: First, we'll get to know you! We'll talk about your concerns, take a look at your teeth, and take some X-rays to see what's happening beneath the surface. This helps us create the perfect plan for your wisdom teeth removal.
  • Relaxing with Sedation: We understand that some patients experience anxiety about dental procedures. To help you feel completely at ease during your wisdom tooth extraction, we offer two types of conscious sedation:
  • Oral Sedation: This involves taking a prescribed medication shortly before your appointment to help you feel relaxed. You'll be awake during the procedure, but feel drowsy and comfortable throughout. The effects take a few moments to wear off, and we recommend you take it easy and if you can, bring a friend of family member to drive you home.
  • IV Sedation: With IV sedation, medication is administered directly into your bloodstream through an IV line. This allows for a deeper level of relaxation, and many patients don't remember much about the procedure afterward. IV Sedation is much stronger, and you'll definitely need someone to drive you home afterward, followed by plenty of rest to let your body go back to normal.
  • The Extraction: The term "pulling teeth" isn't quite accurate! Our experienced dentists will gently loosen and remove your wisdom teeth using special tools and a subtle back-and-forth motion. If a tooth is impacted (hidden under the gums), a small incision might be needed. But don't worry, you won't feel a thing!
  • Aftercare: We'll give you detailed instructions on how to care for your mouth after your extraction. We'll cover everything from managing any discomfort to reducing swelling and helping your mouth heal quickly.

Bounce Back Quickly:
Tips for a Smooth Recovery

Woman resting comfortably at home after wisdom teeth extractions

We've made it this far and your wisdom teeth troubles are a thing of the past. With only a few extra steps and a word or two of caution, you'll heal up in no time:

  • Rest and Relax: Take it easy for the first day or two after your extraction. Catch up on your favorite shows or curl up with a good book.
  • Ice Compress: Apply an ice pack or something cold to your face to help reduce swelling and keep any discomfort at bay. Not only will the cold help with numbing the area, but it's great with keeping swelling largely at bay.
  • Soft Foods are Your Friend: Stick to soft foods like soup, yogurt, and mashed potatoes for the first two to three days. Comfort foods are key, and go great with ample amounts of rest.
  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, but skip the straw for now. You want to avoid agitating the area with any pressure, even if its just water.
  • Keep it Clean: Gently brush your teeth and rinse with a saltwater solution. This helps keep your mouth clean and healthy and stops harmful bacteria from forming while you heal.
  • Medication as Needed: If we prescribe any pain medication or antibiotics, be sure to take them as directed. Wisdom Teeth Extractions are a very common procedure, and with our skilled dentists at the helm, your usual over-the-counter pain medication will do wonders.

Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions

Tooth next to a pile of coins

When it comes time for a wisdom tooth extraction, you have plenty on your plate. The last thing you want is to have to worry about how you’re going to afford the treatment.

For that reason, we aim to make paying for care as easy as possible. For reasons that’ll soon become clear, it’s not really possible to tell you what your treatment would cost without meeting your first. However, we do have some information for you that could help you budget for the upcoming treatment.

Factors That Can Impact the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions

The reason that’s it’s difficult to tell you what wisdom tooth extractions generally cost is that every patient is different. There are a host of factors that can contribute to the cost of removing a tooth.

For one, you need to consider the state of the teeth that are being removed. Specifically, whether the teeth are impacted or not has a lot to do with the complexity of your procedure, and therefore what your overall treatment is going to cost.

There are two kinds of impaction: soft, where the tooth has emerged partially from the gums, and bony, where the tooth needs to be removed from the jawbone completely. In the case of the latter, you’ll probably have to deal with an oral surgeon, who will have their own rates for treatment.

Then there are some other factors that you might not have initially considered. For one, how many wisdom teeth do you have? Not everyone is born with all 4, and needing to remove fewer of them may make treatment cheaper. Then there’s the cost of the anesthetics associated with the procedure which incur their own cost.

We’ll talk you through each of these variables when we give you an estimate of what your care will cost.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extractions?

While it’s not guaranteed that your dental plan will cover oral surgery, most of them will cover at least a portion of your wisdom tooth removal. Of course, that’s provided that you’ve met your deductible, and that you’ve yet to exceed your yearly maximum. We’ll be happy to deal with your insurance company to make sure that you’re taking full advantage of your benefits.

Other Options for Making Wisdom Tooth Extractions Affordable

For patients that don’t have insurance, or even those that do, we have options available to make care a little bit more affordable. For one, we often work with financing firms like CareCredit and LendingClub. These firms allow you to afford treatment upfront, then pay off the bill later on through monthly installments.

Then there’s our in-house savings plan. For a flat annual fee, you can get a host of complimentary preventive services and a 15% discount on other treatments from us.

If your wisdom teeth are bothering you, you don’t just have to grit your teeth and bear it. Give us a call and we’ll try to find a way to make the treatment fit your budget.

Ready to Say Goodbye to Wisdom Tooth Troubles?

If you're having any issues with your wisdom teeth, or if you're just ready to get them out of the way, don't hesitate to give us a call. We love what we do and proudly serve Los Gatos and surrounding communities. You can request a booking with us by visiting this page, too, for extra convenience.

At Los Gatos Dental Group, we're here to answer all your questions and put your mind at ease. Our friendly and experienced team will make sure you feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire process.

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