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Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the most common extractions performed in an oral surgeon's office.  They are the last teeth to erupt or "come in" within the mouth.  When wisdom teeth are prevented from erupting or trapped in the jawbone, it is termed "impacted".  A tooth that is called "partially impacted" means that it has broken through the bone partially.  If the tooth partially emerges through the gum tissue, bacteria can grow in this opening and lead to infection.  Other problems associated with partially impacted teeth include pain, infection, swelling, crowding of, or damage to adjacent teeth.  Tumors or cysts can form from the sac around impacted teeth which can cause damage to adjacent teeth, jawbone and nerves.  Some of the problems associated with wisdom teeth can occur without you knowing it due to few or no symptoms.  If you have wisdom teeth, they whould be evaluated for possible problems.  Most people don't have enough room for wisdom teeth and should have them removed.

For your comfort, we use intravenous (IV) sedation and other office procedures for wisdom teeth removal.  IV sedation, sometime referred to as "twilight sleep" or "conscious sedation", means significant reduction in anxiety with a decrease awareness of the environment.  Some patients even have amnesia which refers to a loss of memory of the surgical procedure.  Once your surgery is complete, you will be taken to the recovery room.  Post-operative instructions will be given to your excort prior to you being discharged from our facilities.