Wisdom Teeth

When wisdom teeth are left unmonitored and untreated, they can cause a host of oral health issues. Dr. Smith & Dr. Stern can remove these notoriously problematic teeth before they wreak havoc.

Hear From Our Wisdom Teeth Removal Patients Like You

Greater Columbus Oral Surgery & Dental Implants offers a broad scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery services, including the removal of wisdom teeth. Dr. Smith & Dr. Stern along with their compassionate care team in Grove City and Powell, OH, will make sure you feel safe, comfortable, and informed throughout your treatment. If you or your child have been referred for wisdom teeth removal, we encourage you to call our practice to schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith or Dr. Stern.

Our patients are sharing their positive wisdom teeth removal stories. Listen to what they’re saying about their experience at Greater Columbus Oral Surgery & Dental Implants.

About Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth are well-known for causing several oral health complications when left untreated. Overcrowding, impaction, infection, pain, cysts, dental shifting, and more are common problems when wisdom teeth are left in the mouth. By the time wisdom teeth develop enough to cause complications, treatments can be costly and painful. But, if wisdom teeth are removed early, the severity of complications can be reduced or even avoided.

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, tend to grow in sometime between the late teen and early adulthood years, around the ages of 17 and 25. However, many dental health professionals recommend wisdom teeth be removed when they are smaller and not fully developed, around the early to mid-teen years. Early removal of third molars tends to result in a smoother procedure and faster recovery.

Why should wisdom teeth be removed early?

Most people have four wisdom teeth—but it’s not unusual for some people to have three, or less. Most people’s mouths are just not big enough to accommodate these extra molars. Because of this, and because they commonly cause a host of oral health issues when left untreated, many dental professionals recommend the removal of wisdom teeth before they have an opportunity to compromise your oral health.

Wisdom teeth are often removed sometime in the early to mid-teen years, before they have a chance to develop completely. This is done for a couple of benefits:

Smoother procedure and recovery. The wisdom teeth that are removed during the early and mid-teen years tend to be smaller and less developed. This makes it easier for the oral surgeon to remove and allows for a smoother procedure and faster recovery. Also, due to their body’s natural healing abilities, young patients tend to heal faster.
Reduce the risk of oral health issues. When wisdom teeth are removed early, before they erupt from the gums, the chance of significant oral health issues associated with wisdom teeth are reduced, or even avoided entirely. This saves the patient from the extra time, money, and discomfort spent on treatment for complications later on.

Dr. Smith and Dr. Stern are skilled oral surgeons who can perform a broad scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures on patients of all ages. Like every patient who visits Greater Columbus Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, your child will receive the highest standard of care at our state-of-the-art practice in Grove City and Powell, OH.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost

Greater Columbus Oral Surgery & Dental Implants provides the highest standard of care and strives to achieve the best oral surgery outcomes for their patients. The total cost of your wisdom teeth removal treatment will be determined by several factors, such as how many teeth are to be removed, if they are impacted or exposed, anesthesia selection, and insurance coverage.

We make sure that the oral and maxillofacial surgery services we perform at Greater Columbus Oral Surgery & Dental Implants are as affordable as possible. We accept many forms of payment and insurance plans to provide oral surgery care at a cost that is reasonable. Please visit our Financial & Insurance Options page to learn more.

To gain the most accurate cost estimate of your treatment, please call our office and request an appointment with Dr. Smith or Dr. Stern.

Investing in Your Oral Health

When wisdom teeth are left untreated in the mouth, they can become the cause of many complications that affect your oral health, such as impaction, dental crowding and shifting, infection, pain, and more. The treatment of these complications can be expensive and suffering through these oral health complications can be painful. As a preventative measure, most dental health professionals recommend that wisdom teeth are removed early.

Since wisdom teeth tend to become fully developed and erupt into the mouth between the ages of 17 and 25, the ideal time for removal tends to be sometime in the early to mid-teen years. This is because the teeth are smaller and not fully developed, which makes for an easier removal and smoother recovery.

We hope you will think of Greater Columbus Oral Surgery & Dental Implants when you or your child have been recommended for wisdom teeth removal. You will receive a consultation with Dr. Smith or Dr. Stern and discuss the customized treatment plan created just for you. To make the cost of oral surgery as reasonable as possible for our patients, we accept many payment options and work with several insurance plans. We look forward to caring for you at Greater Columbus Oral Surgery.

Wisdom Teeth Removal FAQ

WHAT IF MY WISDOM TEETH ARE IMPACTED?

Impaction happens when a tooth is blocked or otherwise unable to grow into the correct position in the mouth. Impaction can cause pain, infection, and dental shifting. If you notice any of the following, you may have an impacted wisdom tooth:

Swelling, pain, or pressure at or near the back jaw
Pain upon opening the mouth
Chronic bad breath
Unpleasant taste in the mouth

If you suspect that you have an impacted tooth or are experiencing any signs of impaction, please call Greater Columbus Oral Surgery & Dental Implants.

CAN I PREVENT MY WISDOM TEETH FROM BECOMING IMPACTED?

Impaction of the wisdom teeth—or any tooth—cannot be prevented, but many of the complications that impaction can cause may be avoided or reduced. It is important to visit your dentist for regular checkups. These appointments allow your dentist to monitor your wisdom teeth as they grow and develop. They can identify an impacted wisdom tooth and refer you to an oral surgeon before your oral health is affected.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED MY WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTED?

As a part of good oral health, see your dentist twice a year for regular cleanings and an oral evaluation. These visits allow your dentist to monitor how your child’s teeth, jaws, and bone structure are growing and developing and can refer to an oral surgeon for wisdom teeth removal or any other oral surgery needs.

If you or your child are experiencing any oral health issues between your regularly scheduled checkups, please schedule a dental examination as soon as possible.

IS WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTION PAINFUL?

At Greater Columbus Oral Surgery, we make sure our patients have a comfortable experience throughout their treatment. The majority of wisdom teeth extraction procedures use IV sedation and local anesthesia, but alternative anesthesia options may be discussed and selected. After the procedure, some post-operative discomfort can be expected, but many patients can manage their pain with over-the-counter medications, although prescription pain medications may be offered by your oral surgeon.

ARE WISDOM TEETH ALWAYS EXTRACTED?

In general, most people just do not have the extra room for four additional molars. Left untreated, many wisdom teeth commonly cause oral health issues like impaction, infection, pain, and dental shifting. Your dentist will monitor the growth and development of your wisdom teeth through regular checkups and can refer to an oral surgeon when the time is right for their removal.

WHY DO ORAL SURGEONS EXTRACT WISDOM TEETH? WHY NOT HAVE MY DENTIST PERFORM THIS SURGERY?

Simply put, oral surgeons are experts when it comes to wisdom teeth removal. They have completed many years of additional schooling and training to be able to perform the full scope of oral surgery procedures. They are also qualified to administer anesthesia safely.

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY LIKE AFTER WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL?

Most patients feel well enough to resume their normal activities and schedule within two to four days after their wisdom teeth removal procedure. At Greater Columbus Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, we will provide detailed pre and post-operative instructions. Please follow these instructions to ensure an optimal recovery and reduce your risk of complications. Learn how to prepare for your oral surgery procedure by visiting our What Is Oral Surgery? page.