Many of our patients have asked us if it would be best to space out wisdom tooth extractions. Others have wondered if they should wait until a wisdom tooth causes them pain to have it removed. We are often asked, “Why have all 4 wisdom teeth extracted at the same time?”. As a Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with over 20 years’ experience in Upland, CA, we believe removing all four wisdom teeth at once (if indicated) is the best option for most patients for the following reasons.
Safety
Why remove a wisdom tooth that seems healthy and to be growing in properly? Unfortunately, things aren’t always as they seem. Most people do not have room for their wisdom teeth/third molars. Third molars are notorious for causing a variety of dental problems despite a lack of symptoms. They have the potential to not fully erupt, and when this happens, they are impacted and can damage adjacent teeth and their roots, causing pain, infections, cysts, and misalignment. Overcrowding also makes it difficult to clean teeth which can lead to cavities and gum disease. Play it safe and seek a consult to determine if you should have your wisdom teeth removed before they end up causing havoc down the road.
Convenience
It’s always a challenge to find time in your schedule for things like dental procedures, not to mention the aftercare required for a successful recovery. You probably read in last month’s blog that we recommend a soft diet and lots of rest for several days after surgery. In fact, if you are doing anything other than relaxing the first 72 hours after your procedure, you are likely to impede the healing process, and it’s wise to refrain from strenuous activity for a week. When you have the opportunity to have all four wisdom teeth removed at once and save time, the choice for a one and done seems like a no-brainer. It takes the same time to recover from one tooth as it does from four.
Comfort
We have found that the number of teeth that are removed at one time does not affect the level of discomfort our patient’s experience. Despite the fact that our practice is known for comfortable, seamless surgeries, any procedure, by nature, can be a bit uncomfortable, and the overall discomfort in this surgery does not increase when four teeth rather than two are removed. On the other hand, undergoing two surgeries doubles the discomfort. Why put yourself in a mildly unpleasant situation more than once if you don’t have to?
Affordability
For obvious reasons, it’s more expensive to have a separate surgery for each tooth extraction than one for all four. When priced out individually, you’ll be paying for multiple office visits, more surgical expenses, and doubled or tripled anesthesia costs. Why pay fees for two, three, or four procedures when you can have all four teeth removed in one?
Remember that no matter how nicely your wisdom teeth seem to be coming in, make sure to get regular cleanings so your dentist can keep an eye on them. Wisdom teeth are more susceptible to decay, due to their location in the back of your mouth, and can be a source of gum disease, spreading to the rest of your teeth. If you’re unsure of the status of your wisdom teeth and have more questions about the process of having them removed, call us today. We’d love to discuss your concerns and examine your teeth at a consult.