Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom Teeth in Caledonia & Grand Rapids, MI

People who have developed a full set of primary teeth are unaware that they may have an additional set of teeth growing under the surface of their gums that can cause significant problems. This third set of molars—wisdom teeth, as they are more commonly known—are often undetectable without regular dental examinations until they become a problem. Sometimes, wisdom teeth grow beneath the surface of the gums, and the mouth must be x-ray to determine if they are present. Other times, the teeth partially emerge from the gums but do not grow in fully.

While these teeth have the ability to provide added value to the mouth by increasing its chewing and grinding power, their growth pattern does not typically allow patients to experience their benefit. Many people do not have enough room for these teeth to grow in properly, which can cause problems with maintaining appropriate oral hygiene.

Why Should I Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

The presence of wisdom teeth makes patients more susceptible to other oral problems, including:

  • Swelling, stiffness, tenderness, and pain
  • Increased risk of tumor growth and cyst development, which can in turn cause issues in healthy teeth and the jaw bone
  • Bacterial growth, gum disease, tooth decay, and even bad breath caused by periodontal disease

  Oral Surgery Specialists may recommend that the wisdom teeth be removed early, usually during the mid to late teens, even if they haven’t begun to emerge from the gums yet. The removal process is generally much more rapid if wisdom teeth are removed early because the roots of the teeth are not fully developed, and younger patients are more likely to experience a quick recovery after surgery. Additionally, early removal may prevent the potential injury to a nerve that runs through the lower jaw.

Prior to wisdom teeth removal, you will receive a thorough consultation including panoramic x-ray if needed. Your procedure will be performed in the same office that you have your pre-surgical consultation. Dr. VanHoose and Dr. Orzel has been extensively trained to administer anesthesia, and our office offers multiple anesthetic options, including:

Local Anesthesia – an anesthetic applied directly to the area of removal

Nitrous Oxide – also known as laughing gas, an anesthetic option used in congruence with other anesthetic options to calm anxiety during the procedure

Oral Sedation – an oral sedative to calm anxiety during the procedure, often combined with nitrous oxide sedation

Sedation Anesthesia – an anesthetic administered through an intravenous (IV) line, suppressing your consciousness during the procedure

Our skilled surgeons and highly trained office staff will ensure that you are fully informed by answering any questions you may have before your procedure, as well as help you chose the method of anesthesia that is best for you. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Greater Grand Rapids, we do everything in our power to ensure that you have a comfortable and rapid recovery following your surgery and achieve the optimum result.

Need your wisdom teeth extracted? Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Greater Grand Rapids can help! Call our Caledonia, MI office at (616) 891-1700 or our Alpine, MI office at (616)785-1700 to make an appointment!

Our Location

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Caledonia

Alpine

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

Hospital Surgery Day subject to change

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed