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Wisdom Teeth Extraction in Whittier, CA

Toothache, wisdom tooth pain, Loose tooth. Our Dentist can helps take you out of pain IMMEDIATELY!

Schedule an appointment with our highly skilled & experienced dentist at Perfect Smile Dental Group in Whittier to help take you out of pain TODAY!

 

(562) 351-1012
Wisdom tooth pain can come on suddenly and become very hard to ignore. You may find it more difficult to eat or sleep due to swelling or pressure in the back of the mouth. It also might feel like your tooth is “trapped” or stuck under the gums. At Perfect Smile Dental Group, we help patients find relief with a safe, gentle wisdom teeth extraction in Whittier, CA. We may recommend an odontectomy if a wisdom tooth is:
  • Impacted
  • Infected
  • Causing crowding
Are you experiencing wisdom tooth pain? Our team can help. Schedule today to learn more about wisdom teeth extraction services in Whittier.

Curious About Our Insurance Policy?

Perfect Smile Dental Group in Whittier accepts most insurance plans: 

  • Aetna
  • AlwaysCare
  • Unum
  • Anthem
  • Ameritas, 
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Cigna
  • Careington Care 
  • Geha
  • Guardian
  • Humana 
  • MetLife
  • Principal
  • Sun Life
  • UnitedHealthcare

Our team can help you understand your benefits. And if you don’t have current insurance, there are still options, such as payment plans, so that you can receive the care you need.

See how simple and affordable better oral health can be!

What Happens During an Odontectomy Procedure?

A wisdom teeth extraction in Whittier, CA, is a procedure for wisdom teeth that either don’t erupt normally or are impacted beneath the gums. 

Perfect Smile Dental Group makes the process easy and stress-free.

Evaluation and Preparation

The dentist will first perform an evaluation. This could mean X-rays or other examinations to get a better feel for the wisdom tooth’s position and the surrounding bone. This is done to determine the safest way to remove the tooth.

Local anesthetics can help numb the area and prevent discomfort.

Removing the Wisdom Tooth

Wisdom teeth extraction services and approach might vary based on your situation. 

Sometimes a small opening is required in the gum tissue to access the tooth. Sometimes we even divide the tooth into smaller sections to make removal easier.

After the Procedure

The area is cleaned after the tooth is removed. This helps to prevent infection and support proper healing. Stitches are occasionally used to help the gum tissue close and heal properly.

A wisdom teeth extraction procedure in Whittier, CA, usually don’t take long. 

Patients return home the same day.

What are the Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Extraction Services?

Taking out wisdom teeth that are causing you problems can help prevent serious dental issues and relieve discomfort. The goals are:

  • Immediate Pain Relief
  • Removing the Source of an Infection
  • Protecting the Rest of Your Teeth
  • Lower Risk of Future Problems

Wisdom teeth can get trapped when they don’t have the space to grow. An odontectomy procedure can save time and money by preventing potential long-term complications.

Signs You May Need Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth don’t always cause problems right away. But they do lead to discomfort and dental issues once the space becomes too tight for proper growth. Some signs are:

  • Pain/pressure in the back of your mouth
  • Swollen or tender gums around the wisdom tooth
  • Trouble fully opening your mouth
  • Jaw stiffness and soreness
  • Frequent infections or bad breath
  • Crowding/shifting nearby teeth

If you’re noticing any of the above during your home care or daily routines, it’s a good idea to schedule a dental exam to find out if an wisdom teeth extraction in Whittier, CA, is right for you.

When is Tooth Extraction Recommended?

If the tooth is too damaged or unhealthy to save, we may recommend wisdom teeth extraction services. The following reasons are the most common:

  • Severe tooth decay that can’t be repaired with a filling or crown
  • Fractured or broken teeth that can’t be restored
  • Impacted teeth (including wisdom teeth) that are trapped under the gums
  • Crowded teeth, particularly when preparing for orthodontic treatment
  • Advanced gum disease can make your teeth loose

Crowded teeth may need to be extracted for proper alignment. When impacted teeth are painful, swollen, or infected, they’ll likely require removal.

Post-Operative Instructions & Home Care

How you manage your post-operative care greatly impacts your healing. You can resume most normal activities after a wisdom teeth extraction procedure in Whittier, CA. 

Don’t do any heavy lifting or physical activity that can cause bleeding.

  • Don’t spit or drink through a straw for one week. It can disrupt blood clotting.
  • Stay away from hard, hot, or spicy food that can irritate the extraction area.
  • Don’t smoke or chew tobacco for at least a week after surgery, as this can cause an extremely painful dry socket. 
  • Alcohol should not be consumed while you’re taking pain medication/antibiotics.

Bleeding and Oozing

Intermittent oozing is normal for up to 24 hours after wisdom teeth extraction services and can last longer if you are taking blood thinners. The blood will mix with saliva, so it is important to determine if there is active bleeding. 

The above instructions can be repeated, and the gauze can then be discontinued once the bleeding has subsided. Do not go to sleep with any gauze in your mouth.

Pain

Taking your pain medications with food decreases the chance of nausea and stomachache.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are prescribed to treat or prevent infections following a wisdom teeth extraction in Whittier, CA. 

Take all of the medication as directed. 

Do not stop halfway. This can cause tolerance and decrease the effectiveness of the antibiotics the next time you need them.

Swelling

Swelling from oral surgery is normal. It usually peaks after about 48 hours. Use two pillows when lying down to help with the facial swelling. Cold compresses can help, too. 

Apply every hour. 30 on, 30 off. Try warm compresses for more relief from swelling after about 48 hours. Keep going until the swelling goes away.

Rinsing

Stay away from rinsing for 24 hours after your odontectomy procedure. It may disturb the clot. 

Start gently rinsing with warm (not hot) salt water the day after. Dilute 1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Rinse gently 3 or 4 times a day for a week.

Brushing

Don’t brush near the surgical sites the day of surgery. The stitches could get disturbed. You may also experience soreness and swelling, so begin your normal hygiene routine as soon as you can and gently brush the areas you’re comfortable with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tooth extraction costs without insurance range from $250 to $400 per tooth.
Advancements in dentistry have made getting the odontectomy procedure a pain-free process.
Local anesthetics are used to ensure patient comfort and a painless dental experience. Patients may experience some soreness and tenderness at the extraction site afterwards, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.
After a tooth extraction, avoid exercising or lifting anything heavy that can cause bleeding. Consider it a personal day to prioritize your health. Avoid drinking through a straw or spitting, which can cause increased bleeding. Avoid spicy food that can irritate the extraction site.
Avoid seeds that can get stuck in the socket and irritate the extraction site. Avoid Alcohol. If you smoke, do not smoke for the next 7 days to prevent an EXTREMELY PAINFUL DRYSOCKET! Use a Nicotine patch in the meantime.
It is not necessary to take a day off work after a tooth extraction. While at work, avoid exercising or lifting anything heavy that can cause bleeding.
A bone graft is necessary after a tooth extraction to preserve the bone level at the extraction site in case you would like to place a dental implant in the future. Bone graft placement is necessary after a tooth extraction to preserve the bone level at the extraction site to prevent the nearby teeth from leaning into the space.
If you have a tooth pulled and don’t replace it, the bone surrounding the extracted tooth will resorb, causing the nearby teeth to shift and lean into the space.
The opposing tooth will super-erupt (grow longer) into the space and hit the other teeth at an odd angle that may cause them to fracture. A bone graft is necessary after a tooth extraction to preserve the bone level at the extraction site. A missing tooth should be replaced with a dental implant or a Bridge to prevent teeth from shifting or super-erupting.
After a tooth extraction, you can start eating soft foods within a few hours. It is recommended that you eat soft foods and avoid any spicy foods and food with seeds that can irritate the extraction site.

After tooth extraction, these instructions are recommended for pain relief:

  • Lightly rinse with saltwater
  • Apply ice packs
  • Eat soft foods
  • Take pain medications (ibuprofen and acetaminophen combination)
  • Get proper rest
  • Avoid alcohol and smoking
Taking Ibuprofen and acetaminophen together can provide the best pain relief after a tooth extraction. Ibuprofen & acetaminophen combination provides more effective pain relief than when taken by themselves. All medication should not exceed the recommended dosage indicated on the bottle.
Recovery time varies from patient to patient, but most people start feeling much better within 3 days. It takes up to 3 weeks for the gum to completely heal. It takes up to 3 months for the bone to completely heal.
You can brush your teeth after tooth extraction, but be gentle and avoid the extraction site. Afterwards, rinse very lightly with a cup of warm salt water to keep the extraction site clean and promote healing.
If you’ve been administered local anesthesia and are alert after the extraction, you can drive after a tooth extraction. If you feel groggy after a tooth extraction, you should have someone drive you home.

Curious about our Insurance Policy?

Perfect Smile Dental Group in Whittier accepts most insurance plans. Aetna, AlwaysCare, Unum, Anthem, Ameritas, Blue shield of California, Cigna, Careington Care, Geha, Guardian, Humana, Metlife, Principal, Sun Life, United Healthcare. See how simple and affordable better oral health can be!
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(562) 351-1012