Wisdom Tooth Removal in Chula Vista, CA
Understanding Third Molars
Wisdom teeth, technically known as third molars, are the final set of teeth to develop, typically emerging in the late teens or early twenties. Individuals may have anywhere from zero to four (or even more) wisdom teeth. While their emergence can sometimes occur without issue, they frequently lack adequate space in the modern jaw, often necessitating removal by an oral surgeon to prevent future complications. Procedures are generally quick, performed comfortably with appropriate anesthesia; however, IV sedation or general anesthesia requires a responsible adult escort post-surgery.
Problems arise because wisdom teeth often fail to erupt properly. They might grow sideways, only partially emerge, or remain trapped beneath the gum tissue and bone – a condition known as impaction. Impacted wisdom teeth require removal by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, as they cannot erupt correctly into the dental arch and pose significant risks to surrounding structures and overall oral health if left untreated.
Untreated wisdom teeth, especially those impacted or poorly positioned, can lead to various dental issues, including:
- Pain or pressure in the jaw and surrounding areas
- Swelling and inflammation of the gum tissue
- Recurring infections around the partially erupted tooth (pericoronitis)
- Development of cysts or tumors around the impacted tooth
- Damage to adjacent molar teeth (decay, resorption)
- Crowding or shifting of nearby teeth (misalignment)
- Increased risk of gum disease and associated tooth decay
Why You Need an Oral Surgeon for Wisdom Teeth Removal
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons possess extensive training specifically focused on complex surgical procedures involving the mouth, jaw, and face. After dental school, they complete a demanding 4-to-6-year hospital-based surgical residency.
This specialized training ensures expertise in removing wisdom teeth, including deeply impacted cases requiring precise surgical techniques and bone management. Furthermore, oral surgeons are uniquely qualified and licensed to administer all levels of anesthesia and sedation (local, nitrous oxide, IV sedation, general anesthesia) safely within an office.
Risks of Keeping Problematic Wisdom Teeth
Damage and Misalignment of Neighboring Teeth
Insufficient space forces erupting wisdom teeth to push against adjacent molars. This constant pressure can directly damage neighboring teeth, cause crowding throughout the dental arch, and potentially undo previous orthodontic treatment by shifting teeth out of their proper alignment.
Pain and Discomfort
Pressure from wisdom teeth attempting to erupt into a crowded jaw is a common source of pain. This discomfort can range from dull aches or pressure sensations in the back of the mouth to sharp pains, headaches, and difficulty chewing comfortably during daily activities.
Infection and Gum Disease
Partially erupted or impacted wisdom teeth create areas difficult to clean properly. Trapped food particles and bacteria around these teeth often lead to painful gum infections (pericoronitis), persistent bad breath, cavities in the wisdom tooth or adjacent molar, and contribute to advanced gum disease risks.
Cyst or Tumor Development
Fluid-filled sacs (cysts) or, less commonly, tumors can sometimes form around the soft tissues surrounding an impacted wisdom tooth. While often benign initially, these growths can expand, potentially destroying adjacent jaw bone and tooth roots if not diagnosed and treated promptly through extraction.
Optimal Timing for Wisdom Teeth Removal
Consulting an oral surgeon during the mid-to-late teenage years allows for ideal evaluation and potential removal of wisdom teeth. Extracting them early, before roots fully develop and while the jaw bone is less dense, generally results in a simpler surgical procedure and a smoother, faster recovery time for the patient.
While early removal offers advantages, wisdom teeth can certainly be extracted successfully at any age. However, delaying removal often means the teeth become more fully formed and embedded, potentially increasing surgical complexity. Untreated wisdom teeth in adults may also have already caused damage or misalignment issues. If you are an adult experiencing sudden pain or infection related to your wisdom teeth, prompt evaluation and removal by an oral surgeon remain essential for protecting your oral health.
Managing Impacted Wisdom Teeth in Chula Vista
A wisdom tooth qualifies as impacted when it is blocked from fully erupting into its normal position within the dental arch. This occurs frequently due to lack of space, causing the tooth to grow at an angle, sideways, or remain completely trapped beneath the gum tissue and/or jaw bone. Impacted wisdom teeth will not erupt correctly on their own and require surgical intervention.
While a general dentist might extract a fully erupted wisdom tooth similarly to other teeth, impacted wisdom teeth necessitate surgical removal performed by an oral surgeon. The procedure typically involves making a small incision in the gum tissue to access the trapped tooth. Sometimes the tooth might need to be sectioned into smaller pieces for easier removal with minimal disruption to surrounding structures. Dentists routinely refer patients with impacted wisdom teeth to oral surgery specialists for this expert care.
What to Expect During Third Molar Extraction
Your experience begins with a consultation appointment where Dr. Koshgerian or Dr. Shelton will review your X-rays, discuss your health history and specific situation, and outline your personalized treatment plan. The wisdom teeth removal procedure itself is typically efficient. Patient comfort is prioritized through various sedation options. IV sedation is very common, allowing you to relax comfortably throughout the surgery (remember to arrange for a responsible adult escort afterward).
Following the extraction(s), our team provides comprehensive post-operative instructions detailing everything necessary for a smooth recovery. This includes guidance on managing discomfort (using pain medication and ice packs as directed), maintaining gentle oral hygiene around the extraction sites, following a temporary soft food diet, and recognizing signs needing follow-up. Expect to rest for the first day after surgery.
How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?
The investment required for wisdom teeth removal varies depending on individual circumstances. Factors determining the final cost include the total number of wisdom teeth needing extraction, whether the teeth are impacted (requiring a more complex surgical procedure versus simple extraction), your choice of anesthesia for comfort, and the specifics of your dental insurance coverage plan. During your consultation, we provide a clear, detailed cost estimate based on your personalized treatment plan before proceeding with any surgery.
Stemodontics® Wisdom Teeth Stem Cell Banking
Wisdom teeth are often healthy teeth removed solely due to lack of space, making them a rich source of potent stem cells. These versatile cells possess the ability to differentiate into various cell types your body might need for future therapeutic applications (blood, tissue, organ, bone regeneration). Banking your extracted wisdom teeth stem cells in a specialized secure lab offers a unique investment in your potential future health.
Dr. Koshgerian and Dr. Shelton are Stemodontics® certified providers, offering patients undergoing wisdom tooth removal at our practice the option for professional stem cell banking services. Consider preserving these valuable cells today for potential use down the road.
Types of Anesthesia
The right anesthesia will depend on the complexity of your procedure and your level of anxiety.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Wisdom Teeth Removal in Chula Vista and other procedures.
"My name is Allan, and I am from Lemon Grove, and I came to The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego to get my wisdom teeth taken out. My overall experience has been awesome. Starting with the staff and the doctors, they care about you, and they really want to make your experience well. The practice was clean, very inviting, and friendly. The doctors here were very thorough and explained everything to me and put my mind at ease. After the procedure, I’m feeling great. The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego sets the bar on their friendliness and professionalism in the industry."
"My name is Igor from La Jolla, and I had a biopsy with Dr. Koshgerian. I think the office is great. From the minute I walked in the door to the minute I left, I just felt a sense of courtesy and efficiency. Dr. Koshgerian is, first, extremely competent. The way he performed the procedure and instructions and things that I got and so forth were excellent. He has a team that respects him and works together with him. And then, as a person, he's just a very nice person and very reassuring, very friendly. The procedure went very well. I had a great experience. For my friends and family in La Jolla and San Diego, I highly recommend The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego."
"Hi, I'm Andrea and I'm from El Cajon. We came to The Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists of San Diego to have my daughter's wisdom teeth extracted. When we walked into the office, the first thing I noticed was how friendly everybody was. They made us feel safe. These doctors are our experts—very gentle, humorous. The procedure was great. The recovery was so much easier than I thought it would be, but the more important thing is the contact that this staff made with us to make sure she was okay. I would definitely recommend The Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists of San Diego to anyone."
"Hello, my name is Angel and I’m from San Diego. I came to The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego to get my wisdom teeth removed. My overall experience here was awesome. When I came in for this procedure, I was a little bit nervous, but the doctor makes you feel very comfortable instantly. The doctors and staff do a very good job at letting you know exactly what’s going to happen. The procedure went very well. I feel awesome and very comfortable now that the procedure is done. I’m so glad I got my wisdom teeth removed here. I would definitely recommend The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego to anybody."
"Hi, I'm Asante and I'm from San Diego. I came to The Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists of San Diego to get my wisdom teeth removed. When I first came here, I had felt very welcomed. I love the decor of the office and the staff was very friendly and made me feel super comfortable. The doctors here are very welcoming, awesome, and amazing at their job. It feels great. I mean, your teeth are such an important aspect of your face, and if you have a beautiful smile, you're beautiful automatically. My experience here was wonderful. I would totally come back for any surgery. I would recommend this practice because I felt very safe, and they made wisdom teeth removal a fun process."
"Hello, my name is Ashlynn, I’m from Clairemont, San Diego, and I came to The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego to get my wisdom teeth removed. This practice has a lot of great people, super nice. Everyone made me feel comfortable, and they’re very reassuring. The doctors here are very caring. I do remember getting videos before the procedure about what to expect. Receiving those messages from the practice really improved my experience. I feel one hundred percent better after this procedure and to any of my friends that need their wisdom teeth removed, I would absolutely recommend The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego."
"Hi, I’m Aurora from Santee, California, and I had my wisdom teeth taken out by Dr. Koshgerian. The office here, they’re very nice. I really like it here. The staff here, they’re very friendly. Made me feel extremely comfortable right off the bat, and very helpful too. Dr. Koshgerian—he’s very nice. It’s easy to talk with him. I could be, like, comfortable around him. The surgery went well. It was really fast. I had a great experience, and I highly recommend Dr. Koshgerian."
"Hi, I'm Belinda from Spring Valley. I came to the Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Specialist of San Diego for an extraction and an implant. When I walked through that door, it's upbeat, there's music playing in the background, people are smiling. Dr. Shelton is one of the most wonderful doctors I have ever met in my life. The quality of life has definitely improved. It turned into the most wonderful experience I ever had. I would recommend the singing surgeon, Dr. Shelton, to everybody and anybody. Dr. Shelton, he's fantastic."
"Hi, my name is Andrea. I’m from La Mesa. I came to The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego for help reinforcing my dental implant. My experience here was great. I met with the doctor so that we could talk about everything that was going to happen. That definitely helped with alleviating the fear that I did have. My procedure went really well and I’m feeling really good. Everything’s healed very well. I’m already recommending The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego. Out of five stars, I’m giving them ten!"
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can We Help?
If you have questions, would like to learn more about a procedure, or wish to schedule an appointment at The Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists of San Diego, give us a call.