Third molars, or wisdom teeth, are the last teeth to grow in, and they are notorious for causing pain and other oral health problems, so we recommend their removal early, before problems arise, at our office in Lubbock, TX.
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars to develop, and unfortunately, they often don't have enough room to do so properly. Because the average mouth is too small to accommodate these molars, wisdom teeth removal is a highly common procedure. Our oral surgeons can safely extract wisdom teeth right here in our office, effectively preventing a host of oral health issues often associated with wisdom teeth from arising.
Removing wisdom teeth before they have a chance to develop can prevent problems such as infection, tooth crowding, root damage, and even cysts and tumors. For many patients, wisdom teeth removal is their first experience with oral surgery or any surgery at all, which we understand can cause some anxiety. We want our patients and parent of patients to know that they can feel comfortable with and trust our team in Lubbock, TX. The testimonial videos below can attest to the high-quality care we provide and our dedication to patient comfort and satisfaction, and we encourage you to watch them.
Wisdom teeth are the final set of teeth to grow in the mouth and usually reach full development by a patient’s early twenties. At Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery of Lubbock, Dr. Robert B. Ioppolo specializes in extracting teeth and have years of training and experience. Not everybody needs to have their wisdom teeth removed, but the best way to find out is to visit an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for a consultation.
Our team in Lubbock, TX, can determine whether your wisdom teeth pose a risk to your oral health and if you need to have them removed. When wisdom teeth don't have enough room to grow, they cause problems for the rest of your teeth and other structures in the mouth. Wisdom teeth removal is a simple procedure that can prevent problems from arising and preserve your overall oral health.
Everyone’s teeth grow and develop at different rates and can appear at any age, from the early teens to the early twenties. Wisdom teeth often don’t show any symptoms of development until they start causing problems. The best way to keep track of your wisdom teeth growth is to visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist is trained to look for signs of wisdom teeth growth and can recommend you to our oral surgery office when it’s time for your removal procedure. Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common surgeries performed by Dr. Ioppolo.
By taking the initiative and consulting with an oral surgeon about the current stage of your wisdom teeth, you are lowering your chances of oral infection, physical pain, and discomfort. Some of the risks involved with leaving the extra molars in place or waiting past the recommended time period for extraction include the following:
Remember, not everyone has to have their wisdom teeth removed, but the only way to know if you do is to visit an expert. Many inconsistencies surround the growth of wisdom teeth, including the number of teeth that develop and the age they begin erupting, which means that every treatment is different. Dr. Ioppolo can thoroughly examine your mouth and discuss all the factors of treatment when you visit our office.
The wisdom teeth procedure usually takes less than an hour, depending on the number of teeth that require removal. First, your surgeon will administer the appropriate anesthetic. Usually, a local numbing agent will be used to prevent pain in the area of surgery. When all four wisdom teeth need to be taken out, you may receive IV anesthesia, which lets you fall into a sleep-like state and prevents any pain during the procedure. Next, any overlying gum and bone tissue will be moved aside, and your surgeon will remove the tooth. Sometimes, the tooth will be removed in pieces, which creates a smaller surgical site and easier removal. Finally, your surgeon will suture the area of surgery, and you will rest until your anesthetic wears off. If you received IV anesthesia, a responsible adult must drive you home and monitor you until the sedation has worn off.
When you come in for a consultation at our practice in Lubbock, TX, Dr. Ioppolo will help you determine whether extraction is right for you. If your wisdom teeth are growing into a problematic position, he will help form a plan for your removal procedure. For more information about impacted wisdom teeth and other wisdom teeth questions, please browse our website or give our office a call. One of our staff members will be happy to assist you with any questions.
The cost of wisdom teeth removal can vary depending on the number of teeth being removed, the type of anesthesia necessary, the patient’s insurance coverage, and other factors. At Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery of Lubbock, our costs are competitive for the Lubbock, TX, region, and we take pride in providing excellent quality care to our patients.
Wisdom teeth removal is often a necessary procedure to prevent pain, infections, and other oral health problems down the line. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, they may not need removal. However, most of the time wisdom teeth removal is necessary, and having wisdom teeth removed early can be a smart investment:
If you or your child needs to have wisdom teeth removed, our staff at Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery of Lubbock are here to help. The best way to estimate your exact cost for a wisdom teeth procedure is to come in for a consultation appointment. After Dr. Ioppolo reviews your situation, our office staff will be able to produce an estimate of your costs after billing your insurance. Give us a call to schedule your consultation — one of our staff members will be happy to help.
If your wisdom teeth become impacted, our oral surgeons at Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery of Lubbock can assist you with an oral consultation and secondary appointment for the extraction procedure. Impacted wisdom teeth should always be examined and removed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Our excellent surgeon, Dr. Robert B. Ioppolo, has years of experience extracting wisdom teeth from our surgical suite in Lubbock, TX.
Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that become partially trapped beneath the gums and unable to grow or function like the rest of your surrounding teeth. Wisdom teeth are the last molars to grow in and are typically large, which means they most often grow in at an angle and don’t have enough room to erupt fully. Wisdom teeth that become trapped or damaged can cause infections in the tissue of your gums. If the impacted molars have been left to grow in for a lengthy period, a cyst or tumor is likely to develop around the distressed molars.
Impacted wisdom teeth do not always present painful or noticeable symptoms, making them hard for the average patient to detect. In many cases, it is not until the hidden molars develop a serious infection or cause discomfort that patients visit the dentist and discover their wisdom teeth are impacted. If you experience any of the symptoms below, your wisdom teeth may have become impacted or infected:
If your wisdom teeth are impacted or you are ready to have them removed as a precautionary measure, contact our home office in Lubbock, TX. We will gladly get you set up for an oral consultation to determine your treatment process.
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Wisdom teeth often need to be removed because they tend to cause problems, such as infection, dental crowding, and other issues. Most people’s jaws are just too small to accommodate four additional molars.
Over time, humans have developed smaller jaw bones, leaving less space for an extra set of molars to grow in. In the past, having larger jaws with extra molars was beneficial for chewing tougher foods, but modern cooking techniques made foods softer and easier to chew without the extra molars. Today, there usually isn't enough space in a person’s jaw for four extra molars to grow in without crowding other teeth or causing damage.
While the majority of people will need their wisdom teeth removed, not everyone will. When wisdom teeth grow in straight without causing damage to surrounding tissues or structures, they may not need removal. The only way to know whether your wisdom teeth are growing in properly is to have an oral exam and X-rays with your dentist or oral surgeon.
When wisdom teeth are growing beneath the gums, there usually aren't any noticeable symptoms until problems start to develop. Luckily, regular dental exams throughout adolescence and early adulthood will allow your dentist to track the progress of your wisdom teeth and prevent problems from developing. If you notice any of the following symptoms, your wisdom teeth may be impacted:
Contact a dental professional immediately if you notice any of these symptoms — you will likely be referred to an oral surgeon to have your wisdom teeth removed.
Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common oral surgery procedures. When wisdom teeth become impacted or cause problems, sometimes medical insurance will cover the removal procedure. In other cases, dental insurance may cover a portion of the procedure. When you come in for a consultation, bring all of your medical and/or dental insurance information, and our office staff can bill your insurance as a courtesy. After your consultation appointment, we will be able to provide you with a full estimate of the costs of your procedure.
Most patients choose to have IV sedation during their wisdom teeth procedure. Removing one or two teeth might only require local anesthesia, which allows the patient to remain awake and aware, but removing four wisdom teeth, especially when there are complications like impaction, can be a longer, more involved procedure. Choosing IV sedation allows the patient to fall into a sleep-like state, making it easier for them to complete the entire procedure at once. Some patients do not undergo IV anesthesia because of allergies or other reasons, and if this is the case, your oral surgeon can still extract your wisdom teeth using an alternative anesthetic option. Your oral surgeon will be happy to review your anesthesia options during your initial consultation appointment.
