Wisdom teeth (third molars) often lack enough room to erupt properly, which often leads to infection, pain, swelling, and possible damage to neighboring teeth and jawbone. At the Placerville Dental Group, our team closely evaluates your smile with digital X-rays and a thorough examination, and then outlines a personalized treatment plan. At times, we may choose to monitor wisdom tooth health for a time; other times, we recommend the removal of one or more problematic wisdom teeth.
Rest assured, no matter your treatment plan, we prioritize your comfort and safety using modern techniques, anesthesia options, clear recovery instructions, and follow-up support anytime, day or night.
Schedule A Wisdom Teeth Extraction Consultation
Benefits
- Relieves pain and swelling: When partially erupted or impacted wisdom teeth cause pain and swelling, extraction provides the necessary relief.
- Protects neighboring teeth: Reduces the risk of cavities, gum disease, root damage, and crowding of remaining teeth.
- Prevents complications: Impacted wisdom teeth eventually form cysts that press on the jawbone, weakening and eventually destroying it. Extraction lowers this risk.
- Easier dental hygiene: Removing the very back wisdom teeth molars makes brushing and flossing more effective.
Procedure
- Comprehensive exam: We discuss your current symptoms, review your health history, and take digital X-rays/3D imaging as needed.
- Anesthesia options: Our Placerville dentist explains your anesthesia and sedation options and helps you make a decision on what is best for your comfort during the procedure.
- Extraction: On the day of the procedure, fully erupted teeth are easily removed by gently loosening and extracting them with forceps. Impacted wisdom teeth usually require a small surgical incision at the gumline, and then the tooth is removed in sections to preserve the remaining bone and soft tissue.
- Post extraction: The extraction area is cleaned, and a protective blood clot forms. If necessary, stitches are added at this time.
- Recovery: Our Placerville dental team provides you with detailed aftercare instructions, supplies, and a follow-up plan. Most of our patients resume normal activities within a few days, depending on the procedure complexity and how closely the patient has followed aftercare instructions.
Candidacy & Alternatives
- Good candidates: Patients with pain, recurrent infection, decay in wisdom teeth, cysts, gum disease around third molars, or damage to adjacent teeth are excellent candidates for wisdom tooth extraction.
- Monitoring: If our Placerville dentist examines your wisdom teeth and determines that they are healthy, fully erupted, easy to clean, and not harming other teeth, then we will recommend keeping the teeth and checking on them at your semi-annual cleanings.
- Orthodontic collaboration: When wisdom teeth need to be removed because of crowding and alignment challenges, then tooth extraction will be scheduled so that continued orthodontic treatment, such as Invisalign, is effective.
- Other options: When decay or infection is localized and the tooth is functional, restorative care may be possible; however, third molars are frequently poor candidates for long-term restoration compared to removal.
- Medical considerations: It is essential that you clearly provide us with your medical conditions and medications that you are currently taking during your consultation and medical evaluation. This will allow us to coordinate with your physician if necessary.
Cost & Insurance
The cost of wisdom teeth extraction varies depending on the number of teeth, impaction type, imaging needs, and anesthesia. Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for medically necessary extractions. We’ll provide a written estimate and help you understand the cost before treatment.
- Insurance: We submit pre-authorizations when appropriate and explain copays and deductibles.
- Financing: We respect your budget needs by also providing convenient financing through CareCredit®, Cherry, and Proceed Finance.
- Bundled care: Your estimate includes follow-up and routine post-op supplies unless otherwise noted.
Aftercare & Maintenance
- Control bleeding: Following surgery, bleeding is expected. You will be instructed to bite gently on gauze and replace it with clean gauze as needed.
- Reduce swelling: Our Placerville dentist recommends using cold compresses for the first 24 hours to reduce swelling. In addition, you should take all medications exactly as prescribed, which will aid in healing and keep you comfortable.
- Oral hygiene: Absolutely no vigorous rinsing or spitting for the first 24 hours after surgery. Starting the next day, gently rinse with warm salt water and brush carefully, avoiding the extraction site(s).
- Diet: Choose soft, cool foods during recovery, avoiding hard, hot, spicy, or crunchy items that can irritate the site. Do not use straws for at least the first 24 hours post-surgery.
- Avoid tobacco and strenuous activity: Both can dislodge the blood clot and delay healing.
- Red flags: Severe pain 1–3 days after surgery, bad breath, or an empty-looking socket require professional attention. Call us right away, and we will have you come into the office.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction FAQs
Do all wisdom teeth need to be removed?
No. If wisdom teeth are healthy, fully erupted, easy to clean, and not harming nearby teeth, we may simply monitor them with periodic exams and X-rays.
What kind of anesthesia is used?
Simple extractions are completed with local anesthesia. When more complex extractions are necessary, additional sedation options are offered. Our dentist in Placerville will review all options and help you make the safest choice before treatment.
How long is recovery?
Most patients feel significantly better after 3–5 days, with swelling decreasing over the course of a week. More complex procedures, such as the extraction of multiple or impacted teeth, require more recovery time. No matter the complexity of your procedure, plan to rest, follow your aftercare instructions closely, and call us if concerns arise.
What is dry socket and how can I avoid it?
Dry socket occurs when the protective blood clot at the extraction site dissolves or dislodges, exposing the nerves and bone, which causes pain. To avoid this, do not smoke, rinse vigorously, or use straws early on.
Will removing wisdom teeth change my bite?
Your bite may feel different after wisdom tooth extraction, but this is usually temporary. Discuss any concerns that you have with our Placerville dentist.
What if my wisdom tooth is infected or impacted?
Our Placerville dental team will treat the infection first and plan the extraction procedure when it is safe. Impacted teeth usually require a small surgical incision at the gumline and sectioning of the tooth to remove it, which helps in preserving the surrounding bone and tissue.
What can I eat after surgery?
We recommend eating cool, soft foods like yogurt, smoothies (no straws), applesauce, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs. As you heal and feel better, you may add back in additional foods, but be sure to avoid crunchy or spicy items until our Placerville dentist says it’s safe.
Are your wisdom teeth causing you discomfort or pain? Get the relief you need and protect your oral health with an extraction procedure. Our Placerville team is happy to answer any questions you have, provide a second opinion on recommended treatments, and coordinate your successful treatment and care.
