Wisdom Teeth Removal at Lee Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Periodontics
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last set of permanent teeth to emerge in the mouth, typically between the ages of 17 and 25. While some people have no issues with their wisdom teeth, many find that there isn’t enough space in the jaw for them to grow in properly. This can lead to problems like impaction, partial eruption, or crowding.
At Lee Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Periodontics, our highly skilled oral surgeons—Dr. Casey Lee, Dr. Calvin Lee, and Dr. Stacey Lee—provide specialized care for wisdom teeth removal. With a focus on safety and precision, we have a dedicated and trained staff monitoring you throughout the entire procedure. We understand you are nervous and our team at our San Francisco and Cupertino offices pride ourselves on providing compassionate care to keep you at ease from the moment you arrive at our office.
If you've been told your wisdom teeth need to come out, or if you'd like to find out whether they're a problem, request a consultation at Lee Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery today.
Understanding Wisdom Teeth Removal
When wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to grow correctly, they can cause a variety of dental problems:
- Impaction: Teeth remain trapped beneath the gum line or within the jawbone.
- Partial Eruption: Teeth only partially break through the gums, creating an area where food and bacteria can become trapped, which can lead to infection.
- Crowding: Emerging wisdom teeth can push against existing teeth, causing them to shift or become misaligned.
- Infection and Inflammation: The gum tissue around a partially erupted wisdom tooth can become swollen, painful, and infected (a condition known as pericoronitis).
- Damage to Adjacent Teeth: Impacted wisdom teeth can press against the roots of neighboring molars, potentially causing harm.
If not addressed, these issues can result in persistent pain, infection, and other oral health complications. For many patients, removing the wisdom teeth is the most effective solution.
Why Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Often Recommended?
Extracting wisdom teeth is often a preventive measure to avoid future problems. Early removal can:
- Eliminate pain associated with wisdom teeth
- Prevent the crowding and misalignment of other teeth.
- Provide space for orthodontic movements
- Reduce the risk of decay and gum disease around hard-to-clean third molars.
- Avoid the formation of cysts or tumors, which can develop around impacted teeth.
- Eliminate the source of chronic gum inflammation and infection.
- Protect neighboring teeth from potential damage.
Our oral surgeons will conduct a thorough clinical evaluation, including a review of your X-rays, , including advanced 3-D Imaging (CBCT), to determine if removing your wisdom teeth is the best option for your long-term oral health.
The Importance of Early Evaluation
It is generally recommended that teenagers and young adults have their wisdom teeth evaluated. Extracting wisdom teeth before the roots are fully developed can lead to a simpler procedure and a quicker, more comfortable recovery. Postponing an evaluation may result in a more complex extraction and a longer healing period. Regular dental check-ups and an early referral to our office are the best ways to proactively manage your wisdom teeth.
The Wisdom Teeth Removal Process
Your treatment journey is carefully planned to ensure your safety and comfort.
- Initial Consultation: Your first appointment will include a comprehensive examination at our office in San Francisco or Cupertino. Your surgeon will review your medical history and perform a full comprehensive oral and anesthesia evaluation. We employ high quality Cone Beam CT (CBCT) to assess the 3-dimensional positioning of the wisdom teeth to ensure safety of the nerve as well as adjacent teeth.
- Personalized Treatment Plan: Based on your evaluation, we will develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals and discuss whether extraction is necessary. We will explain the surgical approach, review your anesthesia and sedation options to ensure a comfortable experience, and let you know what to expect during recovery.
- Anesthesia and What to Expect Day of Surgery: Wisdom teeth removal is a routine outpatient procedure. Depending on whether the teeth are erupted or impacted, the extraction may be simple or may require a surgical approach. Our surgeons use precise techniques to minimize trauma to the surrounding tissues thereby resulting in a smoother recovery. Anesthesia options include local anesthesia, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation, IV deep sedation, or general anesthesia depending on your situation. All of our surgeons have the training and licensure as well as extensive experience to offer these options to you and will help you choose the best option for you to ensure a pain-free experience. All risks, benefits, and alternatives will be discussed with you in full during the consultation as well as before the procedure.
- Recovery and Aftercare: Following the procedure, you will receive detailed instructions to guide your recovery. This typically includes rest, using ice packs to manage swelling, and adhering to a soft-food diet for a short period. Our team is always available to answer any questions and support you throughout the healing process.
Patient-Centered Care and Comfort
We understand that many patients feel anxious about oral surgery. At Lee Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Periodontics, we prioritize your comfort and well-being. We take the time to explain every step of the procedure, answer all your questions, and ensure you feel informed and at ease. For urgent situations, we offer same-day appointments to provide prompt relief.
Meet Our Doctors
We are proud to introduce the talented team at Lee Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Periodontics. Our dedicated practitioners include:
- Dr. Casey P. Lee: Blending his excellent surgical skill and experience in various oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures with new technology in the practice, Dr. Casey promotes progressive and modern healthcare solutions to ensure precision and satisfaction in all surgical procedures.
- Dr. Calvin Y. Lee: With extensive experience in various oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures, Dr. Calvin provides meticulous and precise surgical care and is committed to providing comprehensive treatment plans and focusing on patient-centered care.
- Dr. Stacey A. Lee: With her extensive experience in periodontal disease/gum disease and advanced connective tissue management, Dr. Stacey provides unique and highly specialized skill to ensuring gingival health around natural teeth and dental implants.
Our Locations
We proudly serve patients in the Bay Area (San Francisco, Daly City, South San Francisco, San Mateo, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Saratoga, San Jose, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, Los Gatos, Los Altos) with two convenient offices:
San Francisco Office
348 Taraval St
San Francisco, CA 94116
Cupertino Office
10055 Miller Ave #105
Cupertino, CA 95014
Cupertino
10055 Miller Ave # 105
Cupertino, CA 95014
San Francisco
348 Taraval St
San Francisco, CA 94116
