Less pain, less swelling, and more comfortable and faster healing
As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Anderson specializes in extractions, including wisdom teeth removal, and performs these types of surgeries every day. His extensive training and experience ensures a speedy and comfortable recovery for your dental extractions. Our friendly staff will go over wisdom teeth aftercare instructions to ensure you do not develop post-operative issues.
Advanced dentistry in a state-of-the-art surgical center.
Meet dr. Anderson
Why Choose our oral surgeon
Our Oral Surgeon is a Recognized Leader in Dental Implants, the All-on-4 Procedure, and Sedation Dentistry.
Expertise and Training: As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Anderson completed an additional 4 years of hospital-based training alongside medical residents and can administer all types of anesthesia.
Experience: Dr. Anderson has placed thousands of implants and has been delivering exquisite results for over 20 years.
State-of-the-Art Surgical Center: Our practice is designed to deliver exceptional patient care using the most advanced technology available.
We have 21st century technology now that can give you back your smile and ability to eat the foods you love – just like your natural teeth.
learn about Wisdom Teeth Extractions
What are wisdom teeth?
A wisdom tooth, also known as a third molar, is the last tooth to erupt in your mouth. A wisdom tooth growing in its space generally occurs between the ages of 15 and 25. Most individuals are born with 4 wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth often become impacted due to limited space. An impacted wisdom tooth or impacted wisdom teeth occurs when there is a lack of space in your jaw and its growth and eruption are prevented by overlying gum, bone or another tooth. Wisdom teeth symptoms include pain, swelling, infection, and deep periodontal pockets. Wisdom teeth pain can be severe and may be an indication of a dental emergency requiring immediate removal of the teeth.
Is wisdom teeth removal necessary?
There’s a slight chance that wisdom teeth will grow into a proper position; however, over 85% of people will have impacted wisdom teeth, meaning there isn’t enough room for the wisdom tooth or teeth to grow. Impacted wisdom teeth cause irritation or infection of the gums, or crowding and decay of other teeth, ultimately leading to wisdom teeth pain. Even if they erupt into the proper position, they are usually very difficult to clean. It can be recommended to have them removed in order to improve the overall health of the mouth and to prevent future issues.
How will I know if my wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Some patients will experience discomfort from pressure, infection, inflammation or irritated and deep periodontal pockets when their wisdom teeth emerge. The only way to know for sure if your wisdom teeth need to be removed is to have an oral surgeon evaluate them by taking a Panoramic X-ray or 3D CT scan. Despite the considerable concern regarding impacted wisdom teeth, several recent studies found that third molars which have broken through the tissue and erupted into the mouth, in a normal, upright position, may be just as prone to disease as those third molars that remain impacted. Not all problems related to wisdom teeth are painful or visible. Damage can occur without you being aware of it. No one can predict when wisdom teeth complications will happen, but when they do, wisdom teeth pain can be more severe and difficult to treat, thus complicating surgery. This is why a comprehensive consultation with one of our surgeons who specializes in wisdom teeth extraction and tooth removal is essential.
At what age should wisdom teeth removal be performed?
It is common for wisdom teeth extraction to be performed in the late teens to early twenties. The best time to have wisdom teeth removed is when the roots are ½ to ⅔ developed, and the only way to know this is with an X-ray examination. Wisdom teeth can cause problems at any age after the teenage years. However, the risk of complications or a dental emergency with teeth extraction goes up the older you get. It is recommended to have a comprehensive consultation and treatment plan put together, which includes wisdom teeth removal cost and a Panoramic X-ray or 3D CT Scan.
How are wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom tooth removal is now more comfortable than ever. Using IV sedation and local anesthetics, our surgeons can make your dental extraction experience more pleasant than ever. After the gums are numbed, your surgeon meticulously opens the gums up so they can be gently pushed aside. The wisdom tooth is then exposed and extracted. Most often the tooth is dislodged in one whole piece. Occasionally the tooth is removed in two pieces to limit risk to the underlying nerve, or because smaller pieces are easier to remove, making for a smoother tooth removal.
Is wisdom tooth extraction painful?
The wisdom teeth surgery procedure itself is mostly painless. With IV sedation you’ll be relaxed, comfortable, and unaware of the passing time. In addition to sedation, local anesthetics numb the mouth to anything that could be painful. Most people experience some soreness during the healing period following surgery. At Peachtree Oral & Facial Surgery, Dr. Anderson utilizes recent advances in medicine and state-of-the-art technology to allow patients to undergo their surgery in a manner that promotes rapid healing and minimal post-operative discomfort.
How long is the recovery time after wisdom teeth removal?
Soreness and swelling from wisdom teeth removal may last several days. Ice packs and prescription pain medication help limit pain during the healing period. The sockets normally will close and fully heal in three to four weeks. As with any teeth surgery, you are likely to experience pain, swelling, and some bleeding. The recovery period after oral surgery can take several days, and in some cases, there may still be swelling and discomfort for a week or more. Our doctor recommends using ice packs while enjoying soft foods, and keeping your mouth clean by rinsing with simple salt water. Non-woven sponges and moistened black tea bags can aid in the slowing of any bleeding. If you notice any unusual symptoms like discharge, severe pain or a fever, call us here at Peachtree Oral & Facial Surgery right away. While complications post dental extraction, such as an infection, are rare, they are possible.
What is wisdom teeth removal aftercare?
While your mouth recovers from a tooth extraction, it is imperative not to disrupt the blood clot or irritate your healing gums. The length of recovery depends a lot on how bad the wisdom teeth impaction was and how they were erupting. There are plenty of things you can do to make teeth removal recovery time easier.
You will want to eat a soft-food diet for the first day or more and then slowly move to semi-soft foods when you are ready. You should not consume alcohol, coffee, soda or hot beverages in the first few days following your teeth extraction. Do not use straws.
Avoid brushing, spitting, flossing and rinsing for 24 hours. After that, you can gently brush your teeth. Rinse your mouth with salt water frequently to help keep it clean and prevent an infection.
Plan on taking it easy for a few days; you can resume your normal activities after the first few days in most cases, but you do not want to do anything for about a week that could dislodge the blood clot from where the wisdom teeth extraction took place.
For the pain, one of our doctor can prescribe pain medicine and pain relievers. To help with the swelling, place an ice pack over the swollen area and sleep more upright, as swelling can be gravity dependent. The cold helps to reduce the inflammation and ease any dental removal pain. The teeth extraction recovery period can take several days and in some cases, there may still be swelling and discomfort for a week or more.
