Wisdom Teeth Removal in Mission Viejo
Wisdom teeth removal is the surgical extraction of the third molars, usually recommended when they are impacted, coming in crooked, or hard to keep clean. Dr. Arthur Johnson, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, removes wisdom teeth at our Mission Viejo office for patients from Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, and across Orange County, with local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation.
Wisdom teeth are the last four molars to come in, usually between the late teens and mid twenties. Many jaws do not have room for them. A wisdom tooth that cannot come in fully is called impacted, and it may stay trapped in the bone or break partway through the gum.
Impacted and partly erupted wisdom teeth are hard to clean, so they are prone to decay, gum infection, and damage to the molar next to them. Removing them before these problems start is often simpler than treating the problems later, which is why many patients are evaluated in their late teens or early twenties.
Signs your wisdom teeth may need to come out
Common reasons include pain or swelling at the back of the mouth, repeated gum infections around a partly erupted tooth, decay in a wisdom tooth or the molar beside it, and crowding. Some problems, such as cysts, only show up on an X-ray.
A wisdom tooth can also need attention without causing any symptoms, because of the angle it sits at in the jaw. An exam and X-ray show the position of each tooth and how close the roots are to the nerve in the lower jaw.
What happens at your appointment
Your first visit is a consultation. Dr. Johnson reviews your X-rays and, when the roots sit close to the nerve or the sinus, takes a Cone Beam CT scan in our office to see the teeth in 3D before planning surgery.
On the day of surgery you use the anesthesia option you chose with the surgeon: local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation. Removing all four wisdom teeth usually takes under an hour. If you have IV sedation, an adult needs to drive you home.
Recovery after wisdom teeth removal
Most people take two to three days off school or work. Swelling usually peaks on the second or third day and then fades. Plan on soft foods for several days, no straws or smoking while the sockets heal, and medication as prescribed.
You go home with written instructions, and you can call the office with questions after surgery. Call us if pain gets worse after the third day, or if you have a fever or bleeding that does not slow down.
Do you need a bone graft after wisdom tooth removal?
Usually not. Dr. Johnson recommends a bone graft after most tooth extractions, but wisdom teeth are the common exception because no implant will replace them. The exception to the exception is an impacted lower wisdom tooth that sits against the second molar, where a graft can help protect the bone that supports that molar. If a graft would help in your case, he explains why at your consultation.
Cost and insurance
The cost depends on how many teeth are removed, how deeply they are impacted, and the type of anesthesia. You receive a written estimate after your consultation. Our Mission Viejo office accepts many PPO dental plans and Denti-Cal. We do not accept HMO plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should wisdom teeth be removed?
Most people are evaluated between their late teens and mid twenties, when the roots are not fully formed and healing tends to be quicker. Adults of any age can have wisdom teeth removed when there is a reason to.
Will I be asleep during wisdom teeth removal?
You can be. IV sedation lets you sleep through the procedure. Some patients prefer local anesthesia alone or with nitrous oxide. Dr. Johnson reviews the options with you at your consultation.
How long is recovery after wisdom teeth removal?
Most patients are back to normal activity in two to three days. The sockets keep healing for several weeks, so follow the soft-food and cleaning instructions until your follow-up visit.
Do I need a referral to have my wisdom teeth removed?
No. You can book a consultation directly. Many patients are also referred by their dentist.
Is there a wisdom teeth removal office near me?
If you live in south Orange County, likely yes. Our office is at 25982 Pala Ste 120, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, a short drive from Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, and Rancho Santa Margarita. Call (949) 347-9990 to book a consultation.