Wisdom Teeth Removal in East Brunswick, NJ
Protect Your Oral Health
Wisdom teeth usually start to develop during the late teens or early twenties. Many young adults are unaware that they have a new set of molars developing beneath their gums. Getting your teeth examined regularly can help your dentist and oral surgeon detect wisdom teeth early, so you can have them removed before they start causing problems.
Our oral surgeons at Oral Surgery Group perform wisdom teeth removals to patients in East Brunswick, NJ, and surrounding communities. With over 100 combined years of experience, we are the wisdom teeth and oral surgery experts. Our surgeons, Dr. Philip Engel, Dr. Richard Stern, Dr. Constantine Simos, Dr. Michael Stern, Dr. Amy Tanchyk, and Dr. Rohan Prabhu, all highly trained to perform the full scope of oral surgery procedures. Contact our office in East Brunswick for a consultation with one of our surgeons and an evaluation of your wisdom teeth.
Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Many people don’t have enough room in their mouth for an extra set of molars. This is why dental professionals recommend having them removed. Without adequate space to grow in, wisdom teeth can become trapped beneath the gums. This is called impaction, and an impacted wisdom tooth is difficult to clean around. Impacted teeth are more prone to infections, which can develop into gum disease and cause tooth decay. When left untreated, wisdom teeth can cause many problems including:
- Damage to adjacent molars
- Dental crowding
- Dental misalignment
- Infections
- Cysts and tumors
- Periodontal Disease
- Tooth decay
If your wisdom teeth have enough space to grow in without causing these issues, you may not need to have them removed. However, it is very rare for a wisdom tooth, let alone all four of them, to develop without causing complications.
When Is the Right Time to Have Wisdom Teeth Removed?
People’s teeth develop at different rates, so it’s hard to say exactly when you or your child’s wisdom teeth will need to be removed. In general, oral surgeons and dentists recommend having wisdom teeth removed during the mid to late teen years, before the teeth have fully developed. When the teeth haven’t fully formed their roots, they are smaller and easier to remove, which makes the procedure and recovery easier for the patient. Younger people also tend to have easier surgeries and faster recoveries.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
The wisdom tooth removal process usually involves one consultation appointment and one surgery appointment. During your first visit, we will take 3D scans of your mouth to determine the exact location of your wisdom teeth and discuss your anesthesia options. You will also have a chance to ask questions, and we encourage you to come prepared with a list of your questions beforehand so we can address all of your concerns. Once your oral surgeon has formed a treatment plan, you will be able to schedule your surgery appointment.
Your oral surgeon will first administer the anesthesia, which is typically IV sedation for this procedure. Your surgeon removes visible wisdom teeth with forceps. For impacted wisdom teeth, incisions will be made as necessary in the gum tissue to expose the teeth, and then they will be removed. Large teeth may need to be broken into smaller pieces for easier extraction. Your oral surgeon will place sutures 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 surgery and drive you home after it is finished. This person should remain with you for the next 24 hours. It is important to keep the extraction sites clean. Be sure to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth as instructed by our office. Avoid straws for 1 week, as the suction could dislodge the blood clot inside the tooth socket and cause 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.Bank Stem Cells Following Wisdom Tooth Removal
Stem cells are naturally occurring cells that have the power to differentiate into any type of cell your body needs. This includes organs, tissues, bones, and blood. Wisdom teeth contain many stem cells; after you or your child have these molars extracted, you can store their powerful cells in a secure lab. Should you encounter serious injury or disease, your cells will be shipped to your provider for potential use in regenerative medicine and other therapies. Enroll today to invest in your health tomorrow. Visit the official Stemodontics® website to learn more.
How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost in East Brunswick, NJ?
There are several things that factor into the cost of having your wisdom teeth removed. These include the number of wisdom teeth you have, your dental insurance, your choice of anesthesia, and the overall complexity of your surgery. During the first visit, we go over all of these items with you and provide a cost estimate upfront. To learn about the payment methods we accept and the financing options that are available, read 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
"My wife happened upon a really amazing review for the Oral Surgery Group, and that's when we looked into coming into this facility. So, we both have to have our wisdom teeth extracted. Dr. Stern was very friendly, very outgoing when he first came in. Of course, he tells you all your options, but then he also throws in some humor in there, so he makes you at ease and comfortable. It's kind of like meeting an old friend for the first time. The staff are incredibly friendly and incredibly helpful as well. Upon our arrival to the facility, we were immediately greeted and seen. Then after the appointment, we actually came back and met with Annie, one of the staff members here who was doing our scheduling and our costing-out for our procedures. With Annie, it was 5 or 10 minutes, and it was immediately set up. Needless to say, we booked our appointment immediately. Appointment went very well, and one of the things that's surprising to me is how quickly it went, how efficiently, how comfortable it was. I definitely recommend Dr. Michael Stern and the Oral Surgery Group. If you're coming in for anything, whether it's some kind of extraction or other type of procedure, again, they make you feel very much welcome and at home, so if you're into being integrated with a family practice, I would definitely recommend this facility."
"I needed my wisdom teeth out, and Dr. Simos is a dear family friend. We trust him, and we know he would get the job done properly, so there was no question about who to go with. The procedure was great. Dr. Simos really makes you feel comfortable. I remember I was cold, so he immediately got me a blanket, put it over me, and before I knew it, I was done. Recovery was great — not a lot of swelling, not a lot of pain. I was up and at 'em within three days. Interacting with Dr. Simos is absolutely awesome. He's extremely patient, extremely kind. He's going to guide you through the whole steps of the procedures. He's really an awesome doctor. The staff is unbelievably friendly, very supportive. When you go in the day of surgery, everybody's smiling, they're asking how they are, can they get you anything before you go into surgery, so they're great. If you're not sure who to get your wisdom teeth out, definitely go to Dr. Simos. He's a really great surgeon, really kind person, and he's going to take care of you properly."
"I needed a wisdom tooth taken out, and I needed some posts put in. I was just nervous overall — I have a lot of issues — but Dr. Stern, he put on the music I like, which is Bocelli, and I was very pleased with him. I thought it was going to be long and painful, but my husband kept telling me, "No, he's good; he will help you, don't worry about it," and he was right. I was relaxed, and I went home with no pain, and then I just took some aspirins, and that was it. Dr. Stern is one of the finest oral surgeons I have ever been to see. He's kind, he knows what he's doing, and he makes you relax. Dr. Stern — I highly recommend him."
"Going into the practice, the people here made me feel really comfortable. I found the staff to be friendly, welcoming, and then also helpful based on the questions I had. Dr. Tanchyk, she was the best part of the whole process. I really enjoyed it. She put me at ease. She explained everything. She was very thorough, and it made me feel more comfortable. My procedure went very well. It was better than I expected. I feel really great. My overall experience here was fantastic. I would definitely recommend the Oral Surgery Group."
"When I first walked into the practice, I felt really welcomed and all the staff was really friendly. I felt like I was going to be really safe with the procedures that I came in for. My doctor was awesome. The procedure went very well. My recovery was really short, actually. I was back to normal pretty much the next day, so I was really happy about that. My overall experience was great, I would say fantastic, and I think, going forward, I would definitely come back for more work. To all of my friends and family in Newark, Jersey City, and Piscataway Township, if you come into Oral Surgery Group, they will definitely do their best to make you feel comfortable and like a member of their own family."
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days off do you need for wisdom teeth removal?
The empty tooth sockets will heal over the next couple of weeks, but usually, patients can return to their regular schedules and diets within just a few days.
Do they put you to sleep for wisdom teeth surgery?
Most patients undergo IV sedation. This will render you into a sleep-like state, where you will not feel pain but will be conscious enough to answer questions asked by your surgeon. You will wake up after the surgery with no memory of it. This type of sedation differs from general anesthesia, which is reserved for complex procedures like facial trauma treatment, and renders the patient completely unconscious.
What’s the difference between an extraction and a surgical extraction?
A simple tooth extraction is when an oral surgeon pulls out a tooth that is visible without anything blocking it. A surgical extraction means that the tooth is blocked by gum tissue and the surgeon must make an incision to access the tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth, for example, require surgical extraction because they are beneath the gums.
Should I get all of my wisdom teeth removed?
You should have all wisdom teeth removed in one surgical visit. This saves you time and money and prevents the need for multiple surgeries.
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.