Wisdom Teeth Removal in New Brunswick, NJ
Safe and Easy Third Molar Extraction
Wisdom teeth are your third and final set of molars. They usually develop between ages 17 and 25, which is much later than the other adult teeth. Because they develop so late, many people forget or don’t know that their wisdom teeth are coming until they start having pain or other problems. If left untreated, third molars can cause a number of oral health conditions that are completely avoidable by having them removed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Our practice has been in the New Brunswick community since 1948, and our oral surgeons have years of experience performing wisdom teeth procedures. Dr. Philip Engel, Dr. Richard Stern, Dr. Constantine Simos, Dr. Michael Stern, Dr. Amy Tanchyk, and Dr. Rohan Prabhu all adhere to the highest standards of care. We use the most reliable, advanced tools available to make sure each procedure goes as smoothly as possible. Contact us in New Brunswick, NJ, today to learn more or schedule a wisdom teeth consultation.
Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal
When wisdom teeth are causing pain, they should be removed right away. However, wisdom teeth do not always cause pain. This is why we stress the importance of attending regular checkups with your general dentist. If it is discovered that your wisdom teeth are developing, your dentist will refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to have them extracted.
Your existing molars are adequate for chewing, so this additional set of molars is unnecessary for proper function. Most people’s mouths are too small to accommodate four extra molars. If your wisdom teeth have enough space to grow into a healthy position, they may not need to be removed, but this is rare. In many cases, a wisdom tooth grows sideways and pushes against other teeth. A wisdom tooth can become impacted, or trapped beneath the gum tissue, in which case surgical intervention is necessary. Common conditions caused by wisdom teeth include:
- Damage to the roots of other molars
- Crowding of healthy teeth (especially the lower teeth)
- Impaction
- Infections, which can lead to tooth decay or gum disease
- Cyst and tumor formation
The easiest course of action is to have wisdom teeth removed before these problems arise, often before the teeth ever emerge from beneath the gums. Doing so can prevent future damage and discomfort for your existing teeth and healthy tissues.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
Before your procedure, you will come in for a consultation appointment so that your oral surgeon can review your condition, take 3D scans, and discuss your treatment plan. If you have any questions about your wisdom teeth procedure or anesthesia instructions, this consultation is the perfect time for you to ask them. As oral surgeons, we are qualified to administer all forms of anesthesia and offer many for you to choose from. Most patients undergo IV sedation for this procedure.
After the anesthesia is administered, your surgeon will remove the wisdom teeth. Visible teeth are simply removed with forceps, similar to a standard tooth extraction. For impacted wisdom teeth, the surgeon will lift a portion of the gum tissue to reach the tooth. The tooth may be broken into smaller pieces to make removal easier.
Once the teeth are removed, the surgical sites will be sutured and you will rest in our recovery area until the anesthesia wears off. You must arrange for a designated driver to remain in the office during your surgery, drive you home afterwards, and remain with you for 24 hours.
Follow the instructions we provide very closely. They will guide you on how to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth and care for your extraction sites. It's important not to use a straw for 1 week, as the suction could dislodge the blood clot within the tooth socket and create a painful condition known as dry socket.
EXPAREL®: Single-Use Non-Opioid Pain Relief
During your wisdom teeth extraction surgery, your surgeon can administer EXPAREL to the surgical site. This single-use pain relief manages pain for up to 72 hours following surgery and reduces or eliminates the need for opioid medication. Learn more on our EXPAREL page.
Stem Cell Banking After Wisdom Teeth Removal
After your or your child’s wisdom teeth removal, you may choose to bank the valuable stem cells from within these teeth. Stem cells can differentiate into different types of cells in your body to help tissue, bone, and organ repair. Your wisdom teeth naturally contain an abundance of these cells, and their potential is lost by just discarding them as medical waste following extraction. Invest in your and your child’s future health. Learn more about banking stem cells from wisdom teeth, or enroll today on the Stemodontics® website.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost in New Brunswick, NJ
There is no standard cost for a wisdom tooth removal procedure. The cost of your treatment will depend on several things, including the number of wisdom teeth you have, your choice of anesthesia, if any teeth are impacted, and your dental insurance. We will provide a cost estimate upfront so you know exactly what to expect.
Our office accepts a variety of payment methods, and there are options available to finance the cost of your wisdom teeth removal. Learn more about our Financial & Insurance Policy.
Types of Anesthesia
We offer several types of anesthesia to ensure patients remain comfortable in our care.
Hear From Wisdom Tooth Removal Patients
These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing wisdom tooth removal at our office.
Reviews From Our Wisdom Tooth Removal Patients
"I found the Oral Surgery group through the standard way—both through insurance and through asking other dentists that I trusted—and found that all members of the group came with very, very high recommendations. All four of my wisdom teeth were impacted, subsequently requiring all of them to come out, which is nerve wracking. I needed a surgeon that was going to be able to get all four out safely, as well as completely without complications. When I came in for the surgery, I was greeted very warmly by the office staff. They checked me in, and I had one final pre-op checkup, and afterwards, there was also a double check to make sure there were no complications immediately after the surgery as well as that I was comfortable and ready to leave. Dr. Engel is a fantastic oral surgeon. He seems very much interested in having the patient be an active part of their care, so he was very, very informative. The staff here are very, very welcoming. They're very informative. If you needed to get your wisdom teeth out, I would very much recommend the Oral Surgery Group. They've all proven to be very, very good, very, very thorough, and frankly, very, very skilled."
"What brought me in here—I actually had to get my wisdom teeth removed. When I first walked in, it was very warm, open, everyone here is super nice. Prior to the procedure, I was very nervous. The staff helped calm me down pretty easily. I think they were really there to help me answer any questions that I needed. Dr. Simos is a funny guy. He just, like, cracks little jokes on the side, makes everything a little easier. It helps. The team here is honestly super friendly, super nice. Any questions you have, everyone is super engaging in what they do. One out of five stars I would definitely give them five stars. For all my friends and family looking for an oral surgeon in New Brunswick, I definitely recommend Oral Surgery Group."
"When I first walked into the practice, immediately I felt really comfortable and had all my questions answered. The staff here is extremely friendly. The doctors are really great, and you can really tell that they care about their patients. The procedure went extremely well. The process of healing also went extremely smooth. The nurses here would call and check in on me. My overall experience here was amazing. For all my friends and family in New Brunswick, East Brunswick, and Woodbridge Township, I totally recommend Oral Surgery Group."
"Well, I came here because my mom works here. I saw my dentist, and he took some X-rays, and it showed that my wisdom teeth were coming in crooked, so if they came in, they would have shifted all my teeth. My mom brought me in here for my consultation, and they took out all four of my wisdom teeth. I was very nervous for the surgery before I first came in, but Dr. Stern reassured me that everything was going to be okay, and I felt much better about it. My procedure went very well. It took me about a week and a half recovery, but after that, I was good to go. So, if any of my friends or family living in either East Brunswick, Monroe, Edison, I would highly recommend coming to the Oral Surgery Group."
"Dr. Stern is my boss — I work for him — I babysit his four children. I was having pain in my upper left tooth, and I had come to him for a consultation, and he had said that my wisdom teeth needed to come out, so we booked an appointment. I was nervous. I've never gone through any type of procedure before, so I was scared, but when I told him that I was nervous, he talked me through everything that was going to happen before the procedure, during the procedure, and after, so that made me feel a lot more comfortable. I wasn't in as much pain as I thought I would be in. I was scared, but afterwards, it was really well. I rested for a few days, and then it was good. It really was a great experience here. They made me feel very comfortable and not as nervous as I thought I would be, and they really helped me out with this procedure. I would definitely recommend anyone here at the Oral Surgery Group. I actually have recommended several people, not only for Dr. Stern but anyone here because they're all really great doctors."
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is recovery?
Recovery is different for everyone, but most people will need to take it easy for a few days after the procedure. You will be given pain medication to help control any discomfort immediately after the surgery. Most patients are back to their normal routines after 3 or so days, but the surgical sites will need to stay clean until they are fully closed, which can take up to 2 weeks. If you have any questions or concerns about recovery, your surgeon will be happy to answer them.
What should you not do before getting wisdom teeth removed?
IV sedation is the most common type of sedation for this procedure. Prior to your wisdom teeth removal, if you are undergoing IV sedation, do not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to surgery. If your surgery is in the morning, do not consume food or liquids after midnight the night before surgery. We provide you with instructions before and after surgery which contain everything you need to know for a smooth oral surgery experience.
Should I get two or four wisdom teeth removed?
You should have all of your wisdom teeth removed at one surgical visit. This saves you time and money, and whatever wisdom teeth you decide to leave in will eventually need to be removed due to the uncertain nature of these large teeth.
Can a regular dentist pull wisdom teeth?
A regular dentist does not have the same training as an oral surgeon. They both have dental degrees, but oral surgeons complete a residency program after dental school, where they learn how to administer anesthesia and perform complex procedures in a hospital setting. When a general dentist discovers the presence of wisdom teeth, he or she will refer the patient to an oral surgeon for treatment.
Decades of Trusted Care
Start your journey to better oral health and a more confident smile at Oral Surgery Group. Our compassionate team of specialists will walk you through every step, answer your questions, and make you feel like a part of our family. Learn more about us or schedule an appointment.