Wisdom Teeth Santa Barbara CA
The Extraction Of Wisdom Teeth Is Necessary When They Are Prevented From Properly Erupting Within The Mouth
By the age of 18, the average adult has 32 teeth; 16 teeth on the top and 16 teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine, and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth (molar teeth) are used to grind food up into a consistency suitable for swallowing.
The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These four other teeth are your third molars, also known as wisdom teeth.
- Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
- Oral Examination
- Removal of Wisdom Teeth
- Patients Reviews
Do You Need Relief from Wisdom Tooth Pain?
Don’t suffer any longer! Drs. Hall, Bienstock, Jones or Wechter can gently extract wisdom teeth to prevent future complications.
Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to successfully erupt.
These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the teeth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain, and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom teeth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.
Oral Examination
Wisdom Teeth Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth are discussed.
With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Dr. Hall, Dr. Bienstock, Dr. Jones or Dr. Wechter can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there are present or may be future problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Drs. Hall, Bienstock, Jones or Wechter have the training, license and experience to provide various types of anesthesia for patients to select the best alternative.
Removal of Wisdom Teeth
In most cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is performed under local anesthesia, laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia) or general anesthesia. These options, as well as the surgical risks (i.e., sensory nerve damage, sinus complications), will be discussed with you before the procedure is performed. Once the teeth are removed, the gum is sutured. To help control bleeding, bite down on the gauze placed in your mouth. You will rest under our supervision in the office until you are ready to be taken home. Upon discharge, your postoperative kit may include postoperative instructions, a prescription for pain medication, antibiotics, and a follow-up appointment in one week for suture removal. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us.
Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety that utilizes modern monitoring equipment and staff who are experienced in anesthesia techniques.
Be sure to read our post about foods to eat after wisdom tooth removal and our Wisdom Teeth Patient Instructions!
Patients Reviews: Wisdom Teeth
Read reviews from our wisdom teeth patients! To leave us your feedback, please use our online patient survey form. Call our office with any questions: Pedregosa Office Phone Number 805-569-1889.
Santa Barbara Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very professional. Would have liked to see a reduced rate, at least on consultation fee, for non insured, low income patients like myself.
- Luis G
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had a very smooth Wisdom Teeth Extraction on December 30, 2014. Within half an hour, all my four wisdom teeth are gone and I don't feel much during the procedure. The Asethetic is also good and I feel not much pains afterwards. I can take a bus home with my wife and no swelling face at all. The afterwards instruction are quite helpful and it didn't take me too long to be able to eat noodles in the next day. Amazing experience! Thank you so much!
- Haojie D
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Nice staff. Everyone competent.
- Lisa C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Procedure was WAY better than anticipated. Mucho danke!
- Ben D
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Great job
- Donald A
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Quick, friendly, only a little pain.
- Benjamin L
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Care was good.
- Robert A
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Fell like I am at home
- Ignacio J
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Doctore Marc extracted my 2 whizzes so fast I felt nothing but a tug . Great chair side manner ,friendly and ex hockey player . Assistant Elle was charming and explained the procedure and what was to come after the op, so well . Reception staff top notch too. I would recommend these people to anybody and their momma .
- Mark H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
This was my very first time having oral surgery, and I am over 30 so I was wary of issues/healing. It was by far the BEST and I will judge all future surgeries on Dr. Hall's abilities. It was fast, easy and minimal pain/swelling. A few days in I experienced some discomfort, but the front office staff over the phone, as well as the nurses, provided me with excellent support and information to calm my worries. Thank you for your great work, I would refer a friend!
- Meredith N
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was really worried about how will the wisdom tooth extraction go, given that I had another tooth extracted overseas 10 years ago (back in Cape Town where I am from). This time my experience was light years better than before. The staff, starting with the reception, the doctor's assistant and Dr. Hall were amazing. Few things to note, my appointment was an emergency, and I was referred by my dentist, I needed to wait only 2 days. Amazing! Secondly an appointment hour reschedule was needed, and I was notified way in advance and it worked out just fine. Most important, Dr. Hall and his assistant were great. They performed everything so well, and so professional that I would now recommend Dr. Hall to everyone I know. It's been 24 hours now, and I feel no pain whatsoever. Absolutely impressive job. Thank you very much Dr. Hall !!!
- Anatoli R
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very friendly, customer sensitive staff. A smooth procedure and follow up.
- Jeff S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
As someone who religiously researches things before getting into them i had avoided getting wisdom teeth out for 6 years, as I was extremely nervous! Then i finally decided to just suck it up and get them done before i moved to out of state. I ended up coming to Dr. Jones purely on the recommendation of my (Amazing best I have ever had in years!) Dentist Dr. Lloyd Suzuki and After years of struggling with medicine and running into mistake after mistake it was/ is rare for me to go with the first recommendation i get. However this surgery was easily most comfortable experience i have had with medicine to date and as a major procedure I totally did not expect this. I sailed through this procedure and recovery in a way I wouldn't have had the arrogance to dream of doing before going into the surgery . Dr. Jones genuinely exceeded expectations all across the board here. Pain (never caused major discomfort and was gone in 3-4 days) Recovery (by day five all that was left was keeping clean very little day to day evidence that i had gotten any surgery at all) Post op care ( once I was concerned i wasnt flushing right and she saw me right away) genuine concern ( she was extremely careful with all aspects of post op care) professionalism I cant recommend her enough and should I have the misfortune of needing surgery again I may very well fly to see the Beinstock office rather than risking it someplace else! ( I hate surgery especially on my mouth !) And all this After getting all 4 teeth done below the gums not one not two but four. Couldnt be happier with this experience! Thank you Dr. Jones!
- Derek M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Awesome job. Got my teeth removed. There was no pain.
- Preston H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I wanted to wait a week after having my wisdom teeth extracted by Dr. Hall before writing a review, and I highly recommend him! He and his staff were friendly, professional, and very skillful! This was my first visit and I found them by picking through reviews in the SB area online. The procedure went very smoothly and I was back to daily life much sooner than I anticipated! Excellent work and I highly recommend him! Thank you!!
- Chris N
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
We had a very positive experience with Santa Barbara Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. I have had other oral surgeons perform tooth extractions in the past, and Dr. Hall is the best by far. He removed 4 wisdom teeth without problems, and post-surgery there was no noticeable bruising, and the least amount of soreness I have ever had after an extraction. Dr. Hall is a pro, and I highly recommend going to him for your oral and/or maxillofacial surgical needs.
- Spencer F
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The doctors are nice!
- Angel S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have had a total of four wisdom teeth extracted in my life. This was by far the best overall experience.
- Thomas A
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
3 children with wisdom teeth extractions-all performed by Dr. Hall. Every time was a smooth and great experience! Entire staff was awesome. Highly recommend this office...so professional and accommodating.
- Thomas J
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Great doctor. Very friendly staff.
- Brenna G