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Over nearly 40 years in practice, Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville has performed wisdom teeth removal for generations of patients. As board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons, we specialize in the procedure and have completed it for hundreds of patients.
Just as important is our approach. As our patient, we will take the time to listen to your concerns, to perform your surgery gently and precisely, and to ensure that you are comfortable at every stage in your care.
Most people develop 32 permanent adult teeth. Third molars, or “wisdom teeth,” are the teeth at the end of the line at the top and bottom of your mouth. If the wisdom teeth align properly, and the gum tissue is healthy, these teeth may not need to be taken out.
However, dentists and oral surgeons generally recommend wisdom teeth removal because these teeth cause problems for most people when they emerge or “erupt” from the gums. Your jaw may be too small to accommodate your wisdom teeth, and if they are out of position, they can damage the surrounding teeth or push them out of alignment. You may also have trouble cleaning them and chewing.
Often, there is not enough space for wisdom teeth to break through your gums, and they become “impacted”: partially or fully covered by soft tissue or bone. This can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Food can get caught in the partial tooth exposure, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and leading to infection, swelling, pain, and stiffness.
Studies have found that early evaluation and treatment improves outcomes for patients. For this reason, families often visit Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville for an evaluation when the patient is a teenager. Typically, we advise patients to have their wisdom teeth removed before their root structure develops fully. This is between the ages of 14 and 20, depending on the patient.
Our practice also sees many adult patients experiencing symptoms related to their wisdom teeth and need them removed. During their consultation, we can discuss with older patients what they can expect in their treatment. Generally, they have a higher complication rate, as the tooth roots are longer, and the jawbone density is higher, making it more difficult to remove impacted molars.
Current thinking is that wisdom teeth are leftover features from our ancestors. They followed a much different diet, which included tough foods such as sticks and plants.
You can imagine that these foods would wear down the teeth over time or even cause them to fall out. This would create room in the jaw for the wisdom teeth to emerge.
Modern-day diets and hygienic practices allow people to keep their standard 28 teeth healthy and strong for a lifetime. However, the development of the third molars can create overcrowding, tooth damage, and infection, all of which wisdom teeth removal can resolve.
You are a good candidate for an evaluation if you are entering your teen years or are an adult who never had your wisdom teeth taken out.
As the wisdom teeth press against their neighboring teeth, they can cause sensitivity and discomfort. These can also be signs of an infected tooth that is impacted below your gums.
Erupting wisdom teeth can push your other teeth out of alignment or affect your orthodontic work.
The ideal time to visit Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville is before you experience symptoms. (Getting treatment has some other benefits, too.) We encourage families to plan a visit as their children enter their teen years.
Now is the time to have them removed. Our practice has ample experience providing wisdom teeth extractions for patients throughout the Naperville, IL area. Our mission? Providing high-quality oral health care while prioritizing patient comfort and safety. Learn more by scheduling an appointment with us at your next opportunity.
There are people who do not have to get their wisdom teeth taken out. Their third molars may emerge in the proper alignment or have fewer than four wisdom teeth. We still encourage you to have an evaluation with our specialists, as an examination can determine whether your teeth are likely to cause problems in the future.
An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that is partially or fully covered by your gums or jawbone. This can happen when the tooth does not have room to erupt normally.
Even if you follow proper oral hygiene and regularly visit your dentist, your wisdom teeth may still become impacted because they are the last to develop. In many cases, the effective way to resolve problems with impacted teeth is to have them removed surgically.
If your wisdom teeth are fully impacted, you may not see them at all. They may grow at an angle towards adjacent teeth, towards the back of the mouth, or perpendicular to the rest of your teeth. Your oral surgeon can take X-rays or digital scans that can show the full structure and position of your wisdom teeth.
Long-term, wisdom teeth can cause several oral health problems. They may:
Trap food particles, increasing the risk of infection.
Lead to the development of cysts or tooth decay.
Cause discomfort, pain, or damage to your smile as they push against other teeth
Because it is hard to predict how the third molars will develop, Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville recommends wisdom teeth removal for most patients. Young adults generally tolerate the procedure very well and have an easier recovery.
Most patients who have wisdom teeth removal surgery have all of their teeth taken out during the same procedure. The recovery for surgery on a single tooth is similar to the recovery for a procedure on four teeth, so getting them all out at once limits your overall recovery time.
Several factors can affect the cost of wisdom teeth removal.
The first is the experience of your doctor. Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville has been serving patients in our community for nearly forty years, and our pricing reflects the skill and knowledge of our professionals. You can learn more about pricing on our website.
Second is the capabilities of the practice. Our office has invested in the latest technical and medical advances, including digital scanning, IV sedation, and human growth factors. Our resources increase comfort, speed recovery, and improve outcomes.
A third factor is the degree of impaction. There are three levels: impacted in the soft tissue only, partially impacted in the bone, and fully impacted in the bone. A tooth that is more deeply impacted requires more time to extract.
You may be able to use medical insurance for a procedure on teeth that are completely impacted. Certain dental providers may also cover your treatment. Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville can work with you to maximize the available benefits. Please visit our insurance and pricing policy page for more information.
Start with a consultation at Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville. During the visit, your doctor will perform an examination and take X-rays or CT scans to determine if you should have your wisdom teeth removed.
Parents are welcome to come in with their teenage patients. As part of the appointment, we will spend extensive time talking with you about the procedure, answering any questions, and helping you decide on treatment.
Since most patients receive IV sedation, our practice will provide a set of instructions to follow before having your wisdom teeth removed. We include some of these guidelines on our website. We will also ask that you order certain prescription medications in advance so that they are ready for you after surgery.
IV sedation. Nearly all patients will receive this form of anesthesia, which should help you stay calm and comfortable throughout the process.
Local anesthesia. Patients will receive local anesthesia in addition to IV sedation. In some rare cases, patients may opt-out of IV sedation and instead receive local anesthesia with or without nitrous oxide.
Wisdom teeth removal takes place on-site at Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville. When you are ready, you will receive IV sedation and local anesthesia. After the anesthesia takes effect, your doctor will work carefully and gently to remove your wisdom teeth, using detailed imaging and advanced surgical techniques.
A single tooth extraction usually takes 10-30 minutes, depending on how impacted it is. However, our surgeons will spend the time it takes to ensure that your procedure is as comfortable and effective as possible. We are extremely detail-oriented, prioritize patient safety, and are committed to providing gentle and precise care.
Wisdom teeth removal is completely painless. Most patients sleep through the experience with IV sedation. Even if you choose to be awake and just receive local anesthesia, you should only feel some pressure at the surgical site during your treatment.
Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville has a large and experienced team that ensures our patients are safe and comfortable throughout their visit. Patients should wake up quickly from IV sedation. After this point, we will monitor them closely until they are ready to be driven back home by another adult.
After your wisdom teeth removal, your surgical sites should still be desensitized. We recommend that you take your prescribed pain medication shortly after your procedure so you can stay comfortable.
IV sedation and local anesthetic can take 1-2 hours to wear off. You should have an adult waiting at our practice to take you home after surgery. Patients should not drive or operate mechanical equipment when using prescription pain medication.
Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville will provide you with instructions for post-operative care to help you have a more comfortable and predictable recovery. You can also find more detailed instructions on our “After Wisdom Tooth Removal” page.
Swelling around the cheeks, mouth, eyes, and sides of the face is normal and usually peaks within 72 hours, then subsides after about six days. Your surgical sites may need up to four weeks to mend completely. Please follow your doctor’s post-surgical guidance so that your gums can heal properly.
Plan to take about five days off from work or school. This will give your mouth time to heal and allow you to take prescription medications, both of which could affect your ability to drive, operate heavy machinery, and focus on everyday tasks.
As part of your initial consultation, our team may recommend that you fill a prescription for two pain management medications: Ibuprofen and TYLENOL® with codeine. Please closely follow the guidelines for the prescription to ensure the proper effect. Generally, we will have patients take their medication after finishing surgery so that they can stay comfortable as their anesthesia wears off.
After about one week, you should not feel pain related to your surgery, and you may be able to stop taking medication to manage discomfort.
As with any procedure, we encourage you to contact our office if you have any concerns. Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville is devoted to helping patients and their families have the best experience possible with treatment.
Our practice welcomes patients from throughout Naperville, Aurora, and our surrounding communities to schedule a visit. We look forward to providing you with exceptional care and helping you protect your smile for years to come.
Schedule your consultation by calling (630) 961-5151 or contacting Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville online.
