Wisdom Teeth Removal

Our oral surgeon and team do wisdom teeth removal in Walnut Creek, California. If your wisdom teeth are causing you problems, it may be time to have them surgically removed. Dr. Ali Alijanian can do that for you so that you do not have to worry about them anymore. If your wisdom teeth are coming in and you would like them to be removed, call our office at 925-934-7888! See our surgical instructions if you are receiving this treatment.

Wisdom Teeth FAQ

What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third molars and the last to develop in the back of your mouth. Some people do not get wisdom teeth, though those who do usually get them between 18-24 years old.

What Symptoms Do Wisdom Teeth Cause?
Some people do not experience symptoms from their wisdom teeth. But when there is not enough room for the teeth to erupt, symptoms like tooth crowding, jaw pain, tenderness, cavities, infection and sinus problems tend to occur. If this is the case, you should make an appointment to have them removed.

How Much Does It Cost To Remove Wisdom Teeth?
Depending on the complexity of the shape and position of the tooth, costs tend to vary. Call 925-934-7888 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Alijanian to determine what those costs may be.

Will I Be Sedated for My Surgery?
Dr. Alijanian will want to look over your medical history before deciding to administer anesthesia. The anesthesia will be injected via an IV in your arm, which will cause you to fall asleep during the procedure. Numbing effects of the anesthesia last about eight to 10 hours, which will give the patient time to get on pain medication.

Is It Possible To Get Nerve Damage During the Procedure?
Nerve damage is a possible complication during teeth removal, though our highly skilled oral surgeon will minimize that chance. We evaluate where the nerve endings are in your mouth with panoramic X-Rays before we remove the tooth. If it is too close to the nerve, Dr. Ali Alijanian will perform a coronectomy, where he will remove the crown but leave the roots of the tooth so that the roots will heal over the bone and naturally move away from the nerve.

What Symptoms Will I Have Afterwards?
You can expect natural swelling and bruising after your procedure, which usually goes down after a few days with an ice pack and prescribed pain medication. We recommend putting the ice pack on and off for 30-minute intervals. If you have received stitches during your procedure, the stitches will naturally dissolve within a few weeks.

What Should I Do After My Surgery?
For post-op instructions on what to eat and drink, and whether to brush your teeth after surgery, please visit our surgical instructions page for wisdom teeth.

What Is a Dry Socket?
Once a tooth is removed, a blood clot forms in the empty socket to protect the nerves and bone underneath. If the blood clot becomes aggravated or dislodged, the bone and nerve will become exposed to air, which will cause an infection. This is what is called a dry socket, which can occur three to four days after your surgery. Symptoms include an unpleasant smell in your mouth and a pain that radiates in your ear and cannot be relieved by medication. If you are suffering these symptoms, we encourage you to call our office immediately.

What Is a Bone Spur?
Sometimes, pieces of the tooth’s bony socket may break off during the procedure. Since your body cannot integrate them into the healing process, it will naturally eject the fragments over time. This will appear as something sharp and white poking out of the gum near the extraction site. This is called a bone spur and is quite common. They should eventually fall out on their own. If they do not, please contact us so that Dr. Ali Alijanian can remove them.

How Long Will It Take To Recover From the Surgery?
Recovery periods usually vary with the patient, though it usually takes seven to 10 days to fully recover.

How Long Before I Can Participate in Daily Activities Again?
We recommend one to two days before traveling, two days before smoking or drinking, and three to four days before exercise.

Infection

The most frequent clinical problem we see is pericoronitis, (a localized gum infection). Without enough room for total eruption, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth can become irritated and infected, resulting in recurrent pain, swelling, and problems with chewing and/or swallowing.

Cyst Formation

Non-infectious diseases may also arise in association with an impacted wisdom tooth. Cysts are fluid-filled “balloons” inside the jaw bone that develop as a result of impacted teeth and slowly expand destroying adjacent jaw bone and occasionally teeth. They can be very difficult to treat if your wisdom teeth are not removed in your teenage years. Although rare, tumors can be associated with the delayed removal of wisdom teeth.

Possible Crowding

Impacted wisdom teeth may contribute to crowding of your teeth. This is most noticeable with the front teeth, primarily the lower front teeth and is most commonly seen after a patient has had braces. There are a number of factors that cause teeth to crowd after braces or in early adulthood. Retained, impacted wisdom teeth may be a contributing factor. Unless you have an active problem when you see the oral surgeon, the reason for removal is primarily to prevent long-term damage to your teeth, gums and jaw bone.

Damage to Adjacent Teeth

If there is inadequate room to clean around the wisdom tooth, the tooth directly in front, the second molar, can be adversely affected resulting in gum disease, bone loss around the tooth, and/or decay.