Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a rite of passage for most people. Sometime between your late teens and early twenties, this procedure is done to avoid complications later.
Wisdom teeth can become trapped (impacted) within your jaw. Sometimes this can result in infection or can cause a cyst that can damage other teeth roots. They can even emerge partially (and painfully) through the gums.
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons states that “about 85% of third molars will eventually need to be removed.”10(p3) The association recommends extraction of all 4 third molars by young adulthood—preferably in adolescence, before the roots are fully formed—to minimize complications such as postextraction pain and infection.
So if you’re looking for wisdom teeth removal in Phoenix, you may not realize that a dentist can do this procedure in-office! Since most young adults will experience some issue with wisdom teeth, if you’re between the ages of 17-21 we recommend you come in for a consultation. Our dental team will evaluate your wisdom teeth and come up with a removal plan to avoid damage to adjacent teeth or bone.
There are many benefits to having wisdom teeth removal in Phoenix with your regular care team at 19th Avenue Dental Care. One of the main benefits is that we never “put people under” with general anesthesia. General anesthesia puts you at higher risk for a myriad of issues.
General anesthesia causes you to become unconscious. This type of anesthesia, while overall very safe, is the type most likely to cause side effects and to carry risks. Most side effects are minor and temporary, such as nausea, vomiting, chills, confusion for a few days, and a sore throat caused by a breathing tube. But we let you skip all of those problems!
Instead, we use a localized anesthetic, along with nitrous gas to help you relax. Nitrous is sometimes referred to as “laughing gas” because people find the experience so pleasant! Taking nitrous oxide can cause feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and calmness. You will have a feeling of general numbness throughout the body and become a bit lightheaded. However, you will still be able to communicate with your dentist throughout the procedure.
Additionally, for our established patients, we can also prescribe Valium. This prescription can help calm you and take away the stress of the procedure, before, during, and immediately after.
Therefore, if you are in need of wisdom teeth removal in Phoenix, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation in our office right away. We can help you figure out all the next steps and put you at ease. We can also help you contact your insurance to see what coverage they offer for the procedure.
Keep in mind that with an in-office wisdom teeth extraction, you are going to incur lower costs than if you opt to do a surgical procedure with general anesthesia. Your health insurance plan may cover the cost of the procedure if it’s considered medically necessary — which is often the case if wisdom teeth are impacted or pose health problems. Dental insurance plans may also cover some or all the costs of such procedures.
So reach out today to get started on your wisdom teeth removal in Phoenix!