Wisdom Teeth Extractions

It's normal to question whether wisdom teeth removal is necessary, especially if you're not dealing with noticeable oral pain. Dr. Hsu and her dental team will conduct a thorough oral exam using technology like x-rays to determine if removing your wisdom teeth would be in your best interest. Some of the most common reasons for wisdom teeth extraction include the following:

• One or more of your wisdom teeth are impacted and erupting at an unsafe angle

• One or more of your wisdom teeth have been damaged or cracked

• A severe tooth infection has spread to one or multiple wisdom teeth

• Extensive tooth decay has damaged your wisdom teeth beyond repair

• Gum disease has loosened one or more wisdom teeth

We know how frustrating it can be to go into dental procedures and not understand what's about to happen. At SicatHSU Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we aim to give you the details you need to feel informed and confident about your wisdom teeth extraction. We will not only break down what the procedure entails but also answer any questions you may have about the process.

Dr. Hsu will begin the procedure by anesthetizing the area around your wisdom tooth and administering any sedation needed. Depending on whether your wisdom tooth has erupted, she may need to make an incision in your gums to access it. Our oral surgeon will then remove the tooth and suture the incision. We do everything we can to ensure the process is as gentle and quick as possible. However, your time in the exam chair depends on the complexity of the procedure.

We know that some individuals may feel anxiety and fear about getting their wisdom teeth extracted. That's why our entire dental team works hard to create a relaxing and comfortable office atmosphere to help put even the most anxious patients at ease. We're happy to make any necessary accommodations to help make your appointment as stress-free as possible.

In addition to our gentle and friendly chairside manner, our office provides three levels of dental sedation. Before your procedure, Dr. Hsu will contact you to determine the type of sedation that fits your needs and comfort level. Our three levels of sedation dentistry include the following:

• Nitrous Oxide Sedation: Nitrous oxide sedation or laughing gas delivers a light level of sedation that can help make the procedure more comfortable. Not only can nitrous oxide help you relax but eliminates feelings of anxiety and tension during your wisdom tooth removal. This form of sedation keeps you awake, alert, and able to communicate with our dental team. Additionally, the effects of nitrous oxide sedation don't last long and wear off quickly without feelings of grogginess.

• Oral Conscious Sedation: Oral conscious sedation gives you a deeper level of sedation than nitrous oxide. Our dental team will give you a small pill to take the night before and then another the day of your procedure. Oral conscious sedation helps you feel calm and at ease without putting you to sleep. However, some patients may feel relaxed enough to sleep with oral conscious sedation. You also may not have any recollection of the procedure afterward. If you decide this form of sedation is right for you, we recommend having someone drive you home following your appointment.

• IV Sedation: IV sedation or deep sedation is the highest form of sedation we offer and is typically reserved for complex wisdom teeth removal or patients with severe anxiety. Before your procedure, our team will administer a sedation mixture through an IV line. Not only does this allow our team to precisely control your level of sedation but stop its administration immediately following your procedure's completion.

It's normal to have questions about our Bonsall wisdom teeth removal services. That's why our team is here to answer your questions and help you make informed decisions about your oral health. Some frequently asked questions about wisdom teeth extractions include the following:

What age will my wisdom teeth have to be removed?
Wisdom teeth typically come in between the ages of 17-24 but can sometimes come in earlier or later. Our office recommends removing your wisdom teeth when you don't have enough room in your mouth for them to erupt safely.

​​​​​​​What's the wisdom teeth removal recovery process?
Following your surgery, we may prescribe you pain medication to help you deal with any discomfort. Our office recommends only eating soft foods for the first few days after your procedure to help prevent oral health complications. Once your incision sites have healed, we'll have you visit our office to have your sutures removed.

At SicatHSU Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we're proud to offer skilled wisdom teeth removal. No matter how complex your situation may be, our team has the experience and knowledge to help improve and protect your oral health. Call us today to schedule your next appointment and find out if our Bonsall wisdom teeth removal services are right for you!