Wisdom Teeth Removal in East Brunswick & Marlboro

Wisdom Teeth: A Guide for Teens, Parents, and Mature Adult Patients

Younger Patients:

Has your dentist told you that you need to have your wisdom teeth removed? We’ve designed this guide to help you understand next steps. Our highly trained oral surgeons remove wisdom teeth every day, but we know that the mention of “surgery” and “extraction” can make many young adults feel anxious. We understand, and we want you to know that wisdom teeth extractions in our office are safe, and comfortable.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that generally erupt from your gums during your teenage years. The first set molars erupt around the age of six, the second at age 12, and finally, your third molars, or wisdom teeth, come in when you’re transitioning into adulthood, becoming older and wiser. Wisdom teeth may need to be removed at any point in your life. It’s not uncommon for an adult to have wisdom teeth extracted.

Why do my wisdom teeth need to be removed?

The most common reason wisdom teeth need to be extracted is because there is not enough room in your mouth to accommodate the third set of molars. Your mouth has enough space for 28 teeth, and when your wisdom teeth arrive, those 28 slots are filled. Your wisdom teeth become impacted if they’re unable to grow in properly. An impacted tooth is fully or partially covered by gum or bone and has the potential to cause a variety of complications. If your wisdom teeth are not impacted and come in properly positioned, they are still at a high risk for infection, cysts, and tumors.

The Importance of Timing

The reason that so many of your friends are also having their wisdom teeth removed is because there’s an optimal yet fleeting window of time when the wisdom teeth have come in but the roots are not fully formed. This ideal timeframe is between the ages of 17-25, ensuring much less risk of damaging neighboring nerves, bones, and teeth.

Why Wisdom Teeth Removal Is Ideal During Early Years

Wisdom teeth that are left alone can lead to the following problems throughout your life:

Infection
When a wisdom tooth cannot push through the gum tissue, your gums can become infected, a condition called pericoronitis. Infection can cause swelling, pain, and difficulty swallowing.

Cysts and Benign Tumors
Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to cysts (fluid-filled pockets) in the jawbone, damaging the jawbone and nearby teeth.

Crowding and Alignment Issues
If you’ve had braces, it more important than ever to have your wisdom teeth removed before they overcrowd and misalign your perfectly straightened smile. For those who haven’t had braces, removing your wisdom teeth makes room for your other 28 teeth, ensuring they remain aligned and aren’t pushed out of their proper position.

Damage to Nearby Teeth
One of the most common problems caused by wisdom teeth is their damaging effect on neighboring teeth. When too many teeth are squeezed into a small space, maintaining good dental hygiene, including brushing and flossing, is difficult, often resulting in tooth decay, gum disease, and bone loss.

Parents:

Choosing an Oral Surgeon for Your Child

Today, over five million people have their wisdom teeth removed each year. In fact, tooth extraction is now the most common oral surgery procedure. As your oral surgery specialists with extensive training and experience, we provide an attentive and comfortable wisdom teeth removal experience that’s unlike the extractions you may have undergone as a teenager. Thanks to recent advancement in modern technology, wisdom teeth removal surgery is an outpatient procedure that is routinely preformed in our office every day without complication.

Our exceptional care includes:

• A variety of sedation options
• Compassion and comfort
• Detailed home care information
• A thoughtful surgical strategy that minimizes the use of invasive techniques
• A smooth and easy recovery

Check out our parents’ corner for helpful resources, such as grocery lists and post-op instructions!

Mature Adults:

Even though wisdom teeth removal is most often associated with adolescence, it is not uncommon for many people to make it well into adulthood with their wisdom teeth still intact. If you’re now experiencing problems and facing the potential for wisdom teeth removal, rest assured you’re never too old to have your wisdom teeth pulled. Our surgeons provide the utmost in quality care and are prepared to guide you through the healing process with skill and compassion. Whether you’re experiencing pain from gum disease or cavities or suffering from swelling in your mouth of jaw, there’s no age limit for wisdom teeth removal, especially when it will improve your quality of life.

Wisdom teeth extractions in older adults can be straightforward or more complicated, so we recommend you meet with one of our oral surgeons for an in-depth consultation where we can fully evaluate your wisdom teeth and answer any questions you may have. Simple or complex, wisdom teeth removals are routine in our office, including those for adults over 65. We use IV sedation to keep you comfortable and calm throughout the procedure, and you may have no memory of the surgery when it’s over. Your safety is our top priority. As top oral surgeons, we have an excellent safety record in anesthesia and in keeping our patients as comfortable as possible throughout every step in the process.

The Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal

Every case is unique, and as such the financial factors involved in each case is as well. We consider molar positioning, the degree of impaction, the number of teeth to be removed, etc. as we determine the cost of the procedure. We discuss all costs upfront and consider it our job to help you navigate any benefits your insurance offers for the surgery.

The Risk of Not Having Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Since wisdom teeth tend to cause complications, such as discomfort, infection, damage to adjacent teeth, and cysts and tumors, it is crucial to have them removed in your late teens to early twenties before their roots have been fully established. Waiting to have them removed could cost you greater problems in the future.

Complications of Wisdom Tooth Removal

As is the case with any dental procedure, there are potential risks to having your wisdom teeth removed. However, complications are very rare, and when done within the ideal window of opportunity, the chance of complication is even smaller.

Dry Socket

We strongly discourage smoking and using straws during your wisdom teeth recovery period because these habits disrupt the healing process, sometimes dislodging and preventing the extraction site’s blood clot from developing properly. This complication, called dry socket, can involve discomfort that radiates to the ear or cheek, bad breath or an unpleasant taste, and occasionally visible bone or an empty-looking socket. Call us immediately if you have any of these symptoms, and we will remedy the situation and help you manage the discomfort.

Wisdom Teeth Removal FAQ
Marlboro & East Brunswick NJ

What can I expect during an Oral Examination for Extraction of Wisdom Teeth?

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Drs. Ladman and Tarlo can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there are present or future potential problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist, or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Our doctors are trained, licensed, and highly experienced in providing various types of anesthesia for patients.

Why should I have my wisdom teeth removed?

If you do not have enough room in your mouth for your third molars to fully erupt, a number of problems can happen. Impacted wisdom teeth should be removed before their root structure is fully developed. In some patients, it is as early as 12 or 13, and in others it may not be until the early twenties. Problems tend to occur with increasing frequency after the age of 30. Some of the possible problems related to not removing your wisdom teeth include:

What if I don’t have my wisdom teeth removed as a teenager or young adult?

As wisdom teeth develop, the roots become longer and the jaw bone more dense. When it is necessary to remove impacted wisdom teeth in your thirties, forties or beyond, the post-operative course can be prolonged and there is a higher complication rate. Treating these complications is often more difficult and less predictable than with a younger patient. Healing may be slower and the chance of infection can be increased. If your impacted wisdom teeth are not removed in your teenage years or early in your twenties and they are completely impacted in bone, it may be advisable to wait until a localized problem (such as cyst formation or localized gum disease and bone loss) develops. In general, you will heal faster, more predictably and have fewer complications if treated in your teens or early twenties.

What happens on the day wisdom teeth are removed?

Most people prefer to be unaware of the experience when they have their wisdom teeth removed and usually decide to be sedated. You will be provided with appropriate anesthesia options at your consultation. All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize your comfort. Our office staff has the training, licensing, and experience to provide the various types of anesthesia. These services are provided in an environment of optimum safety, utilizing modern monitoring equipment and a well trained experienced staff. The Surgical Care Team, the office facilities, and the doctors are inspected on behalf of the Board of Dental Examiners on a regular basis.

On the day of your procedure, you will take medications to help minimize post-operative pain and swelling. We ask that a parent or responsible adult accompanies you to the office and plans to stay with you the rest of the day. The procedure will take about 30 to 60 minutes and you will probably be in the office for 90 minutes. Recent advances in medicine and technology allow patients to undergo wisdom tooth removal in a manner, which promotes rapid healing and minimal post-operative discomfort. State-of-the-art sterilization and infection control techniques are used at all times.

On the morning or afternoon of your surgery, it is essential that you have nothing to eat or drink (excluding prescription medications with a sip of water) for at least 6 hours (preferably longer). This does not mean you should try to fit in one “last meal” exactly six hours before your surgery. Having anything in your stomach can increase the risk of serious anesthetic complications, including nausea and vomiting. Your procedure will be rescheduled if you have not heeded these guidelines. We may provide you with a prescription for pain medication at your consultation appointment, which for your convenience, can be filled in advance. When you are seated in the surgical room, we will make every effort to make you as comfortable as possible. If you are going to be sedated, we usually will place an IV in your left arm. This is a quick and nearly painless procedure that ensures optimal delivery of your medication. Local anesthesia is given to you afterward to ensure comfort, and allow adequate time to travel home and rest. You will be sleepy for a significant portion of the day.

If your surgery requires stitches, these are usually the type that dissolves in 3 to 5 days and do not require removal. You may also notice a sensation of your gums feeling swollen and pulling away from your teeth. This is all part of the normal recovery and will subside in several days.

Once the local anesthesia wears off, you may require prescription pain medication. Please try non-narcotic anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil®) first, to see if that adequately treats your pain. If not, begin your other prescription pain medication. The local anesthesia may last until the following day, and should not be confused with an injury to your nerve. We recommend starting your post-operative diet with clear liquids such as jello and broths, gradually increasing in substance as your body permits.

If you are given antibiotics and you take birth control pills, please be aware that birth control pills might become ineffective and take appropriate precautions.

What does wisdom tooth removal cost and is it covered by insurance?

The fee for your treatment is determined by a number of factors. These may include the difficulty involved in removing your teeth and which type of anesthesia is best for you. During your consultation appointment, the surgeon will need to review your x-rays, complete an examination and determine the best option for anesthesia, before an accurate estimate can be provided. Every insurance company has a different policy regarding the extent of coverage for a given surgical procedure. The oral surgeon’s office staff will help you obtain maximum insurance coverage for your treatment.

What if I have questions before surgery?

At the time of your consultation, your specific situation will be discussed in greater detail. We encourage you to ask any questions you may have. If new questions arise after your consultation, please call our office at Manalapan / Marlboro Office Phone Number (732) 972-0002 to speak to one of our patient care coordinators.