Illustration of jaw in blue with wisdom tooth in red

Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Some wisdom teeth erupt without problems. But others can cause pain, swelling, and other issues due to impaction or insufficient jaw space.

Wisdom tooth extraction is a relatively simple surgical procedure that can reduce discomfort and lower your risk of oral health concerns.

Why should you undergo wisdom tooth extraction at Advanced Oral Surgery of Tampa?

Superior Surgical Care for Safe, Convenient Treatment

Relief from Your Symptoms

Problematic wisdom teeth can cause painful inflammation and increase your risk of gum disease, sinus issues, cavities, and damage to surrounding teeth. Removing wisdom teeth can help alleviate these symptoms and ensure that you do not need more costly restorative treatments in the future.

Prioritizing Your Comfort

Our practice goes above and beyond to make your surgery as comfortable as possible. The whole team is trained to safely administer intravenous (IV) sedation, which can be easily adjusted throughout treatment based on your unique needs.

Treatment Under One Roof

Many dentists refuse to extract impacted wisdom teeth themselves and will hand off your case to another doctor. As a specialized oral surgeon, Dr. Jason Edwards can perform all types of wisdom tooth extractions, from simple to complex.

What happens during wisdom teeth removal?

I'm Still Worried The Procedure Will Hurt

Wisdom tooth extraction is meant to provide relief from your symptoms. It should never cause more pain.

At the start of your visit, we provide local anesthetic to completely numb the area and sedatives to help you feel relaxed during the procedure. While you are recovering, you can also minimize discomfort by following our post-operative instructions and taking over-the-counter pain medication. Most patients are free of any discomfort within 10 days after surgery.

How do I know if my wisdom teeth need to be removed?

During your exam, Dr. Edwards will conduct digital, low-dose radiation imaging to evaluate the position of your wisdom teeth and determine whether they should be extracted. Many people experience no effects before extraction is recommended. However, there are some common signs and symptoms shared among patients who need wisdom tooth removal, including:

Bad Breath

If you have a persistent bad taste in your mouth or bad breath, you could be suffering from an infection. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause decay and other issues that quickly escalate.

Inflammation

Erupting wisdom teeth can cause swelling, redness, and pain in the gums and surrounding tissue. Because erupting teeth are hard to keep clean, your risk of gum disease is also increased.

Cavities

Your wisdom teeth, or third molars, are hard to reach with simple brushing and flossing techniques. This leaves them susceptible to plaque buildup, which can cause cavities.

Sinus Pain

Your upper wisdom teeth can push up against your sinuses. If you have sinus pressure, frequent headaches, or chronic congestion, you might be due for wisdom tooth extraction.

Shifting Teeth

If you do not have enough room in your jaw to accommodate your wisdom teeth, your teeth could grow at an angle. This pushes your other teeth out of place and can result in misalignment.

Let’s take a closer look at what can happen when wisdom teeth are not extracted...

Wisdom Tooth Removal from Start to Finish

Wisdom tooth extraction is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home on the same day as your treatment. Here is what you can generally expect:

Imaging

Pre-operative imaging will confirm that your wisdom teeth need to be extracted and helps our team virtually plan your surgery.

Preparation

If you choose to be sedated, you will need to bring a trusted friend or loved one to your appointment. We will also ask you to review the pre-operative instructions.

Sedation

Dr. Edwards will numb your gums and the surrounding tissue with a local anesthetic. If you feel anxious or have a complex case, his trained team can administer IV sedation.

Surgery

If your wisdom teeth are impacted, Dr. Edwards will create an incision in the gums. For both impacted and erupted wisdom teeth, he may break the tooth into smaller pieces before gently extracting it.

Recovery

Your incisions will be carefully closed with dissolvable stitches. The area will be packed with gauze to encourage the formation of a blood clot.

What can I expect after surgery?

Wisdom Teeth Removal Can Provide Physical and Emotional Relief

The best thing about wisdom tooth removal is that you only have to do it once. After your wisdom teeth are extracted, you can enjoy relief from discomfort and other symptoms caused by problematic wisdom teeth.

As with any surgery, wisdom tooth removal does carry some risks. We may give you antibiotics to reduce your risk of infection, but you should contact our office if you experience symptoms such as:

Pain lasting longer than a few days
Swelling that gets worse with time
Excessive bleeding
Fever
Numbness in the treatment area
Pain or bleeding when blowing your nose
A persistent bad taste

Following a surgical procedure, every patient at our practice is given Dr. Edwards’s cell phone number. We encourage you to call him or our surgical staff immediately if you notice any concerning symptoms.

What does a normal recovery look like?

Complete Your Recovery Within Two Weeks

Our office will give you a complete list of post-operative instructions, which will guide you through what to expect during your recovery. Although the length and details of recovery vary from patient to patient, you can generally expect:

24 Hours

During the first day of your recovery, a blood clot will form at the extraction site. The blood clot is important to the healing process. To avoid dislodging it, do not brush your teeth or use mouthwash during this time.

First Few Days

During the first few days after surgery, some swelling and bruising are normal. If you have discomfort or swelling, you can apply an ice pack to your cheek.

First Week

The blood clots should be in place by this time and healing well underway, so you can resume using a straw.

First to Second Week

If you had any discomfort or pain after surgery, these effects should have subsided by this time. If pain has gotten worse, contact our office immediately.

Second Week

Any leftover bruising should fade during this time. Keep in mind that every person heals at a different pace and that your recovery could be longer or shorter.

How will I pay for wisdom tooth removal?

We Accept Several Insurance Plans and Financing for Out-of-Pocket Costs

Most insurance plans partially or fully cover wisdom tooth removal. If you are still concerned about cost or do not have insurance, do not let that get in the way of receiving the treatment you need.

Wisdom tooth extraction can save you money on future treatments needed to repair or replace damaged teeth, making it a great investment in your long-term oral health. Dr. Edwards and our team can accommodate virtually any budget by staging your treatment or helping you explore various financing options, which include:

How many people really need wisdom teeth removed?

An Incredibly Common Treatment

*According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Most adults have had to undergo this fairly routine oral surgery in their lifetime.

Hear from Patients Who Have Gained Relief

"Absolutely wonderful care. Dr. Edwards and his team are fantastic, compassionate and I will never use any other oral surgeon. One of my wisdom teeth had broken in half, so when I went their office they actually scheduled my surgery the same day and relieved me of my pain." Leo I.