It is not uncommon for most teenagers and young adults to experience the need for wisdom tooth extractions. This rite of passage is often experienced by patients between the ages of 16 and 25. Although not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed, for many, it is essential to ensure healthier smiles for the future. At Elite Oral Surgery Associates, our team has decades of experience improving the oral health of young patients by extracting these teeth and creating a more positive and painless smile. Call one of our oral surgery offices to find out if wisdom tooth extractions in Worcester are something to be considered for you or your teenager.
Why Choose Elite Oral Surgery Associates for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
Safer, Enhanced Diagnostic Imaging with Digital X-Rays
Specialists with Decades of Experience Extracting Wisdom Teeth
Dental Insurance Welcome
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are also known as third molars and were once vital to the nutritional component of early civilizations. With broader jawbones and denser, coarser food options, these teeth were used to chew and gnaw through meat, creating a more positive and beneficial diet. However, as centuries passed, jawbones grew narrower, and diets no longer consist of meats quite as coarse as those consumed by our ancestors. Unfortunately, these teeth continue to erupt and often cause pain and damage to nearby healthy tooth structures.
When Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed
Although not all people need to have their wisdom teeth removed, it is often recommended in situations when the teeth are:
Impacted and lie beneath the gumline. This can cause healthy tooth structures nearby to be affected, as the wisdom teeth can press against and cause shifting to occur.
Partially erupted and creating oral health problems because they are difficult to clean.
Damaging the jawbone and causing problems with oral function.
Causing gum inflammation because of the increased swelling that can occur with these teeth and the inability to clean them properly.
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
Undergoing wisdom tooth extraction in Lowell requires receiving local anesthesia or IV sedation, which will be administered once you are comfortable in our treatment chair. We will then make one or more small incisions in your gums if necessary. If the tooth has fully erupted, we may be able to remove it just like we would a regular tooth, using specialized dental instruments to detach it from its socket.
However, if the tooth is impacted or partially erupted, a small incision in the gum tissue is made to grant full access to the tooth. We will then begin to gently extract it in sections so that we do not remove more bone than is necessary.
Recovering from Wisdom Tooth Extraction
After your wisdom teeth procedure is complete, you can expect there to be soreness and minor discomfort for the next several days. Once the anesthesia or sedation wears off, you’ll need to take an over-the-counter pain reliever to better manage the achiness.
You’ll also need to keep clean gauze over the areas to encourage clotting. A cold compress can help alleviate swelling, but you’ll need to abide by the 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off routine. You can also rinse with warm salt water to keep the areas clean and encourage quicker healing.
In the first few days, you’ll need to stick to soft foods to avoid placing additional pressure on your surgical sites, and you’ll need to be careful while brushing and flossing – a practice you’ll need to maintain throughout recovery to avoid a potential infection.
Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
The cost of removing wisdom teeth depends on several factors – from the number of teeth that need to be extracted to whether or not the teeth are impacted. That’s one of the many reasons why your consultation with our team at Elite Oral Surgery Associates will begin with a meticulous oral exam and detailed X-rays. Once we have a thorough understanding of your unique dental needs, we will work on your treatment plan and provide you with an estimate of the price!
Factors That Can Impact the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Now you might be wondering, “What factors impact the cost of my treatment?” Don’t worry – we will review all of this information with you in-depth at your appointment. If you’d like to continue your research in the meantime, however, then here is a brief overview of what we need to consider:
How many teeth need to be removed – While some patients have all of their wisdom teeth, others only have one or two.
Whether or not your teeth are impacted – When your wisdom teeth are trapped within the jawbone or under the gumline, they are more difficult to remove.
Dental sedation – Although we will always numb your mouth beforehand, some patients feel more comfortable adding sedation dentistry to their treatment plan as well.
Of course, there are other factors that will influence the price you pay as well, including whether or not you have dental insurance. We’ll talk more about that in the next section!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
Good news: dental insurance providers typically do cover a portion of the cost of wisdom teeth extractions. Of course, waiting periods, annual maximums, yearly deductibles, and the like need to be considered as well, which is why we always recommend reading through the fine print on your plan. If you aren’t unsure what your plan covers, don’t hesitate to talk to our team! We’re proud to accept most major dental insurance plans and also are happy to welcome MassHealth. At your appointment, we can help you better understand your coverage and file the necessary paperwork on your behalf so the process is as stress-free as possible.
How to Make Wisdom Tooth Extractions Affordable
Since roughly 50% of patients don’t have dental insurance, we wanted to offer our patients another financial solution: CareCredit. This trusted third-party financier allows you to choose a payment plan that works within your budget instead of having to stress trying to pay for the entire cost of your treatment upfront. There are even options with little-to-no interest attached! So, if you are interested in spacing out the cost of your care into smaller, more manageable chunks, don’t hesitate to sign up for CareCredit.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs
Do you still have a few questions on your mind? If so, this next section is for you! Below, you will find the
answers to popular questions like, “Does everyone have wisdom teeth?” and “Do I have to get my wisdom teeth removed
if they don’t hurt?” Of course, you’re also welcome to give us a call as well if you can’t find the answer you’re
looking for below!
Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed If They Don’t Hurt?
Although pain is a common symptom of impacted wisdom teeth, there are other reasons we may recommend having
them removed. One example is risk of infection, which is often the case when the third molars are difficult
to clean with your toothbrush and floss. Jaw pain, frequent headaches, cysts, and orthodontic issues are
also reasons for having them extracted. Ultimately, the only way to know if wisdom tooth removal is
necessary is by scheduling an appointment with us so we can examine your mouth, take a look at your wisdom
teeth, and learn about the symptoms (or lack of symptoms) you’ve been experiencing).
Why Are Wisdom Teeth Called That?
If you’ve ever wondered why your third set of molars are called “wisdom teeth,” it’s
because they don’t emerge until early adulthood (typically 16-25). It was believed that with age came
wisdom, which is how they got this nickname!
Does Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth?
Actually, no! According to an article published in Dental Research Journal, between 5% and 37% of people are
missing at least one of their wisdom teeth. Professionals believe that this could be due to genetics, but
they aren’t entirely sure why some patients are born with one, others with four, and others with only
two or three.
How Do You Make Wisdom Teeth Pain Go Away?
The only long-term solution is to have them removed. If your appointment to have them extracted is already on
the calendar, but you need to alleviate your discomfort in the meantime, then try rinsing periodically with
warm saltwater and using a cold compress for 20 minutes at a time. If this doesn’t work, then you can
take an OTC pain reliever as directed. Make sure to also avoid doing anything that could exacerbate your
discomfort, like eating crunchy foods.
What’s the Best Age to Get Wisdom Teeth Removed?
There’s no specific age – it really depends on your unique dental needs! Throughout the years,
your dentist will monitor the development of your wisdom teeth with the help of your yearly X-rays. If they
look like they are growing in straight, then you may not need to have them removed at all. If they are
growing in sideways or there simply isn’t enough room in your mouth for them, then your dental team
will recommend having them extracted. It’s a good idea to schedule this procedure sooner rather than
later to avoid complications, like infections or chronic jaw pain.
