Removing Wisdom Teeth in Lubbock, TX
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 has 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.
Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
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.
Wisdom Teeth Possible Complications
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:
- Dental crowding, especially around the bottom front teeth, is common when wisdom teeth do not have enough space to grow in properly.
- Damage to adjacent teeth and their roots, which also causes discomfort.
- Tumors or even cysts can develop over time with molars that have already become impacted
- The tissue surrounding the wisdom teeth can become infected if not examined and extracted in a timely fashion.
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.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure
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.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost in Lubbock, TX
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.
Value of Wisdom Teeth Removal
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:
- Removing wisdom teeth can prevent dental shifting, protecting any orthodontic investments you have already made to align your bite and straighten the front teeth.
- Wisdom teeth removal can also prevent damage to surrounding teeth and bone tissue, which can be costly to repair later on.
- Having your wisdom teeth removed early will prevent future discomfort and pain associated with impacted teeth and infections, which is valuable for your health and well-being.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
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.
Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
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:
- Pain or discomfort around your rear molars when eating or drinking
- Consistent bad breath or a continuous poor taste in your mouth at all times
- Trouble moving or opening your jaw that can also cause pain
- Swelling of the gums around the back of your mouth
Wisdom Teeth Procedures at Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery of Lubbock
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.
Types of Anesthesia
Depending on your procedure, you will receive one of the following forms of anesthesia to ensure your comfort.
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Lubbock, TX
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.
Bank Stem Cells with Stemodontics®
Do you want your wisdom teeth to benefit you and your health, even after removal? When you bank stem cells from these teeth, you get peace of mind when it comes to future health crises. Your stem cells can differentiate into different types of cells in the body whenever you need it. Take control of your future and make an appointment today to discuss stem cell banking with Stemodontics!
Hear From Wisdom Teeth Removal Patients
These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing wisdom teeth removal at our office.
Reviews From Our Wisdom Teeth Removal Patients
"It’s very inviting when you come to the office here, especially on your first time. They treat you like family. The surgery went very well. When I first went in, I was a little nervous because I had never had a surgery done before. The staff here was super sweet. I just felt so at home knowing that they were here to help me. Dr. Ioppolo is very giving. Out of five stars, I would definitely give Dr. Ioppolo five stars. I had a great experience, and I recommend Hill & Ioppolo Oral Surgery."
"The office here is very nice, and homey, comfortable, friendly. I was having quite a lot of pain the past few months before I got my wisdom teeth taken out. Dr. Ioppolo explained everything very well so I knew what to expect. Dr. Ioppolo was very friendly and nice. The surgery went very quick and it was easy. I had a very great experience and I recommend Hill & Ioppolo Oral Surgery."
"I came to see Dr. Ioppolo because I was having a lot of pain and I needed to get my wisdom teeth taken out. When I first walked in, the environment was really friendly. The staff was very inviting, and I felt very welcome here. Dr. Ioppolo is friendly, he’s very personable, and definitely wanted to make sure I was going to be taken care of. The surgery went great. I had a great experience here. For all my friends and family that live in Lubbock and Plainview, I definitely recommend Hill & Ioppolo Oral Surgery."
"I came to see Dr. Ioppolo because I needed my wisdom teeth removed. Dr. Ioppolo is a great guy. He’s very meticulous in what he does, and so that’s the person you want doing your surgery when you have a surgery done like this. So, you could tell that from the moment we had our initial meeting that he was going to take care of things and make sure things were done right. The surgery went really well. It was smooth, and everything’s great now. I mean it’s a great office, great staff. It’s a premiere place to come and get any of your dental procedures done. For my friends and family here in Lubbock and Slaton, I highly recommend Hill and Ioppolo."
"I had an impacted wisdom tooth, and I was referred by my dentist. It was very bothersome — not necessarily painful or anything like that, it was just bothering me, and I knew it needed to be taken out. I didn't have any fears or anything like that. His staff and Dr. Ioppolo had met with me before that, and they had reassured me that it was going to be a simple procedure, and it wouldn't be anything to be scared of. When I came in for my procedure, it probably took longer to just get set up, having the gas and all that. As far as the procedure goes, he came in, and within five seconds, he was gone. It was super fast. I highly recommend Dr. Ioppolo and his staff because they are very wonderful and great people, and they make the process completely painless, and it was a very easy thing."
Wisdom Teeth Removal FAQ
1. Why do I need to remove my wisdom teeth?
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.
2. Is wisdom teeth removal covered by insurance?
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.
3. Will I receive anesthesia before wisdom teeth removal?
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.
4. Does everyone need to have their wisdom teeth removed?
While the majority of people will need their wisdom teeth removed, not everyone will. When wisdom teeth grow straight without causing damage to surrounding tissues or structures, they may not need removal. The only way to know whether your wisdom teeth are coming in properly is to have an oral exam and X-rays with your dentist or oral surgeon.
Outstanding Oral Surgery Services Driven By Faith and Expertise
At Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery of Lubbock, we are dedicated to restoring optimal oral health through a variety of oral surgery procedures. Through our work, we serve our God-given purpose of serving our incredible community. When you walk into our practice, you are not just a patient—you’re a welcome member of our family who will leave here with a better and more beautiful smile. We look forward to welcoming you soon.