Wisdom Tooth Extraction – San Antonio, TX
Ensuring a Healthier Smile For the Future
Early human civilizations once relied on their wisdom teeth to eat dense game caught in the wild. Since then, much has changed regarding diets and facial shape. Although people had wider jaws to accommodate these third molars, that is no longer true today. At Potranco Family Dental, we can perform wisdom tooth extraction in San Antonio to create a more spacious, healthier smile in the future. Call to schedule an appointment if you or your teenager no longer wants to be in pain.
Why Choose Potranco Family Dental for Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
- Dentist with More Than a Decade of Experience
- Flexible Dental Financing with CareCredit, Lending Club, & Cherry
- Comfort-Focused Amenities for Dental Patients
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are located in the back of the mouth along the upper and lower arches and are considered the third molars. They generally develop between the ages of 17 and 25, making wisdom tooth extraction a “rite of passage” for many teenagers and young adults.
There are usually four wisdom teeth, one in each quadrant, and they can fully or partially erupt, or they can remain impacted below the gumline.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Some patients never need to have their wisdom teeth removed; however, most require extraction for one of the following reasons:
- Impaction
- Persistent pain in the back of the mouth
- A cyst forming near the affected tooth
- An infection that impacts the tooth and the surrounding tissue
- Dental decay forms because of a partially erupted wisdom tooth
- Wisdom tooth eruption causes nearby teeth to shift out of alignment
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
There are two ways to remove wisdom teeth: simply or surgically. If the molar has partially erupted and is slightly visible above the gumline, your dentist in San Antonio can use a dental elevator and dental forceps to lift the tooth from its socket and gently move it back and forth until it detaches.
If the molar remains below the gumline, it is deemed impacted. This requires opening the gum tissue and exposing the underlying tooth and bone. Removing it slowly and with careful precision ensures minimal damage to the bone.
Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction
After your wisdom tooth extraction, you will need to take proper care of your mouth in the days and weeks following your procedure. We will provide aftercare instructions for you to follow, but in the meantime, some of the typical recommendations include:
- Using clean gauze to minimize bleeding
- Taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication
- Avoiding the use of straws to sip beverages
- Not spitting or swishing vigorously
- Elevating your head while you sleep
- Avoiding physical or strenuous activity for several days
- Eating a soft food diet initially (i.e., yogurt, smoothies, pudding, etc.)
Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Although our ancient ancestors may have required wisdom teeth for survival, today they are infamous for causing issues when they arrive, so they are removed more often than not. But you might avoid scheduling your procedure if you’re worried about the potential cost.
Our team is happy to provide a detailed estimate for your procedure after your initial consultation and examination. Continue reading to learn more about factors that can affect pricing and how our team helps make dental care more affordable!
Factors That Can Impact the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
After Dr. AJ has examined your mouth and we know more about what’s required to extract your wisdom teeth, our team will provide accurate pricing information based on your unique circumstances.
A few factors that can potentially affect the cost include:
- The number of teeth. Not all patients grow all four of these molars, and those having fewer of them pulled are likelier to pay less overall.
- Whether the teeth are impacted. Surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth typically costs more than a simple extraction.
- Medications used. The type of local anesthetic and whether antibiotics or other medications are required can affect the total price.
- The severity of your condition. If an oral surgeon or other specialist is required to assist with your case, you’ll also be responsible for paying for their services.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
Many dental insurance companies include at least partial coverage for major procedures, such as wisdom tooth extractions. However, every policy is unique and there are no guarantees, so it’s worth checking your information before proceeding.
If you’re unsure whether your insurance will contribute or need help with claims or other paperwork, please feel free to contact the office. Our staff are familiar with the process and are happy to help you maximize any applicable benefits.
How to Make Wisdom Tooth Extractions Affordable
This procedure is often the only way to alleviate aches and prevent problems that can arise when wisdom teeth erupt, and we don’t want your budget to keep you from having a healthy, pain-free smile.
As a result, we offer the following options to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses for different treatments we offer:
- Flexible Financing. We gladly accept flexible payment plans through CareCredit, the Lending Club, and Cherry, which allow you to divide your total invoice into more manageable installments to be paid over a designated period if your application is approved.
- Special Offers. We periodically extend special offers, such as discounted examinations and X-rays, that might be applied to lower the total cost of your service.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs
How Long Does Wisdom Tooth Extraction Take?
An extraction of a single fully erupted wisdom tooth may take only a few minutes. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully beneath the gumline require a more involved surgical approach and naturally take a bit longer. All of that said, when all four wisdom teeth are removed in a single appointment, which is the most common approach, the entire procedure typically wraps up within an hour or less. After Dr. AJ and our team have met with you, taken X-rays, and assessed the position of the wisdom teeth, we will be able to give you a more specific time estimate.
At What Age Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
The wisdom teeth typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25, and it’s important to begin monitoring them during this period or even earlier. It’s normally easier to remove them during the teenage years, as younger patients tend to have less fully developed roots and denser, more flexible bone tissue, which in turn makes the procedure more straightforward and recovery much faster. That said, wisdom tooth extractions are performed successfully on patients of all ages, including adults! If your wisdom teeth weren't addressed in your younger years and are now causing problems, removal is still an option.
Does Wisdom Tooth Extraction Hurt?
Before your extraction begins, the area will be thoroughly numbed with local anesthesia, meaning that you will feel no outright pain once the procedure is underway. In fact, most patients are surprised by how little they feel during the actual removal—generally, only a small amount of pressure, not pain, is detected. However, some soreness following the procedure is a normal part of recovery and typically peaks within the first 48 hours, before gradually improving from that point forward. Over-the-counter pain relievers combined with cold compresses are usually enough to manage your discomfort. If you ever experience abnormal or worsening pain following your wisdom tooth extraction in San Antonio, don’t hesitate to let our team know!
What Should I Eat Following the Removal of My Wisdom Teeth?
For the first few days following your extraction, soft food is going to be your best friend. Some good options include yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, soft-boiled pasta, scrambled eggs, smoothies, protein shakes, and soup, as long as it's not too hot. You will want to avoid anything hard, crunchy, or chewy that could disturb the extraction site, and steer clear of using straws for at least the first several days, since suction can dislodge the blood clot that forms over the extraction site(s), leading to a painful condition called dry socket. As you heal and discomfort subsides over the next week or so, you can gradually reintroduce normal foods back into your diet.