Wisdom Teeth Removal
in Waxhaw and Weddington
Your wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in your mouth. They're located all the way in the back in both the upper and lower jaws. They usually emerge through the gums in the teenage years, sometimes early twenties. In the majority of people, wisdom teeth do not erupt into functional positions that can be used for chewing. In many cases, they may not erupt at all, a term called "impaction."
​
Wisdom teeth that are not appropriately positioned pose several problems:
-
Wisdom teeth can be very difficult to keep clean, leading to tooth decay on the wisdom tooth and the teeth around it.
-
Wisdom teeth can lead to periodontal disease (gum disease) that can affect the neighboring teeth.
-
Wisdom teeth can put pressure on the nearby teeth causing crowding, or teeth that are out of alignment (crooked teeth).
-
Wisdom teeth can cause pain, swelling, and bad breath.
It is best to have your wisdom teeth evaluated for removal by a board-certified oral surgeon while you are in your teens. When you're young, you have better healing capabilities, which leads to quicker recovery time. Additionally, having your wisdom teeth removed young enables you to enjoy a healthier smile throughout your adolescence. It also helps ensure your neighboring teeth do not become affected by malpositioned wisdom teeth. That said, patients of all ages should have their wisdom teeth evaluated. Often, patients present to our office for emergency wisdom tooth removal due to pain or swelling. Having your wisdom teeth evaluated while you're young can help prevent it from getting to that point!
​
What to expect from wisdom teeth removal in Waxhaw, NC
Your first visit to our beautiful Waxhaw office will be a consultation, where you will meet our oral surgeon and the team, be examined, and have the entire process explained to you, in detail.
Wisdom teeth can be removed in our office with the patient either awake or asleep. The majority of patients prefer to have their wisdom teeth extracted asleep with I.V. sedation. This takes all of the anxiety out of the picture. There are occasionally circumstances where the patient may wish to be awake for wisdom teeth extraction, and this is fine. Additionally, certain existing health conditions may exclude I.V. sedation as an option. Aside from I.V. sedation, we have other options to make your experience as stress-free as possible, such as oral sedation (tablets). We will discuss the options during your consultation appointment and recommend the one that's right for you!
​
Recovery from wisdom teeth removal varies from person to person. Generally, you should expect to stay home and rest for a few days after the procedure. During this time, you may experience swelling and some discomfort, but you will be provided with medications to keep you comfortable while you heal. If stitches were placed, they are usually dissolvable, and will disappear within several days. Your diet will need to be soft, and include foods such as: ice cream, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, soup, pasta, soft veggies, etc.
​
We will provide you with further instructions during the consultation appointment and on the day of the procedure. After surgery, someone will be available to answer your questions 24/7.
​
What does it cost to have wisdom teeth removed?
The cost of wisdom teeth removal depends both on your insurance benefits, as well as the position of the teeth in your jaw. Our insurance coordinator will be happy to review your benefits with you and provide you with financing options.
​
Our oral surgeon, Dr. Parelli, will discuss any questions you may have on the day of your consultation at our Waxhaw office.