Wisdom Teeth Removal in Pocatello, ID

Remove Third Molars

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of adult teeth to emerge. They typically erupt during a person’s teenage years or early 20s but can start developing under the gums as early as ages 10–12. When these extra molars go untreated, they are notorious for causing oral health complications such as impaction and tooth crowding — therefore, most dental professionals recommend that wisdom teeth be removed early so that these complications can be avoided. 

Treatment is generally easier for younger patients who tend to have fewer complex extractions and faster recovery times. At our trusted Pocatello, ID, practice, we use the most advanced surgical techniques to ensure the very best results and the least amount of downtime for patients of all ages.

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Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Most people have four wisdom teeth — one for each corner of the mouth. Much of the time, people’s mouths are too small to fit these additional molars, so removal of third molars is recommended in the early to mid-teen years before the teeth are fully developed.

There are many benefits to having your molars removed early:

• Easier procedure and recovery for patients. Third molars are smaller at earlier stages of development, which leads to a less invasive procedure and a faster healing time for our patients. It’s common for us to hear from our patients how easy their wisdom teeth extraction was!
• Prevention of oral health problems. Extracting the third molars early can prevent oral health problems before they occur, saving you time, money, and discomfort later.

Oral surgeons and their trained teams are specialists in the extraction of third molars at any developmental stage. Our oral surgeons are experts at administering anesthesia for the most comfortable extraction procedure possible, and you or your child will be constantly monitored by our team during your procedure.

If you are interested in learning more about wisdom teeth removal at our friendly Pocatello, ID, practice, check out our Wisdom Teeth Removal FAQ, or contact our office with your questions or to schedule a consultation with one of our trusted oral surgeons, Dr. Baker or Dr. Jepsen. We look forward to caring for you and your family at Oral Surgery Specialists of Idaho.

Most dental professionals recommend that wisdom teeth be extracted early, before they begin to cause painful and costly oral health problems like impaction. If left untreated, the complications that can arise may require orthodontic or more complex surgical treatments to correct. A proactive approach to wisdom teeth is smart and cost-effective for several reasons:

• Avoid costly (and painful) dental treatment in the future. Avoiding oral health issues before they arise, such as impaction, dental shifting, oral infections, gum disease, and damage or crowding of nearby teeth, is the main reason dental professionals recommend removal of wisdom teeth before they emerge into the dental arch.
• Easier surgery/faster recovery. Young people tend to recover more quickly from the oral surgery to remove wisdom teeth because the teeth are less developed and therefore easier to remove — and the faster your recovery is, the less likely you are to require time away from work or school.

How Wisdom Teeth Are Removed

Regular dental checkups are important in the management of wisdom teeth-related oral health conditions because even wisdom teeth that appear to be growing in properly can change course and start to cause problems. Because wisdom teeth extraction can be more involved than a standard tooth extraction, when it’s time for the wisdom teeth to be removed, your dentist will refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Wisdom teeth extractions are usually performed under sedation, and oral surgeons are the dental professionals with the training and skill to administer this type of anesthesia. The oral surgeons of Oral Surgery Specialists of Idaho provide safe and expert wisdom teeth removal in the comfort of our Pocatello, ID, practice.

First, you or your child will have a first visit with your oral surgeon where you will receive an oral examination and, if necessary, detailed 3D diagnostic scans to determine the position of the wisdom teeth and if and how they are impacted. The doctor will then create a treatment plan, including the type of in-office anesthesia that will be best for you or your child’s comfort.

We offer several types of anesthesia at our practice; however, wisdom teeth extraction is most commonly performed under intravenous (IV) sedation. IV sedation means that you will enter a sleep-like state and have no awareness of the procedure taking place. For this type of anesthesia, you must not have anything to eat or drink (excluding prescription medications with a sip of water) for at least six hours before receiving IV sedation — and a responsible adult should be present to drive you home after surgery.

The extractions will be performed in the safety and comfort of one of our two convenient locations in Pocatello and Blackfoot, using state-of-the-art tools and techniques. During the procedure, your surgeon will lift the gum tissue to expose the wisdom tooth (or teeth) and remove any small pieces of bone or abnormal structures blocking the growth path. If the wisdom teeth are already grown in, this exposure step will not be necessary. Sometimes, teeth will be broken into pieces to make them easier to remove. Finally, the surgeon will stitch up the surgical site(s), and you will rest until your anesthesia wears off.

We encourage you to schedule a consultation appointment with one of our experienced oral surgeons where every aspect of your wisdom teeth removal procedure will be explained to you before your surgery so that you can be as relaxed as possible. Your consultation is also a great time to ask any questions you may have about wisdom teeth removal at our welcoming practice.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost in Pocatello, ID

We want wisdom teeth removal to be as easy as possible for our patients, so we like to make payment convenient. We accept several insurance plans and payment methods. Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have — it is our privilege to help guide you through the process of wisdom teeth extraction at our Pocatello, ID, practice.