Wisdom Teeth Removal in Oxford, MI
Prevent Problems & Protect Oral Health
Many dental professionals recommend having wisdom teeth removed early to prevent them from harming your oral health. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop. The average mouth can only hold 28 teeth, so trying to make room for an additional four can become problematic.
Wisdom teeth tend to erupt between the ages of 17 and 20. The earlier they are removed, the less issues they usually cause. The average person develops four wisdom teeth, but some people develop more than four while others develop none. It's important to continue to visit your dentist for regular checkups, as they will track the development of your wisdom teeth.
When the time is right, your general dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon to have your wisdom teeth extracted. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in surgical procedures involving the mouth and face. The specialists at Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons & Dental Implant Center regularly perform this procedure in the safety and comfort of our six offices in Flint, Saginaw, Bay City, Owosso, Oxford, and Midland.
Wisdom Teeth Consultation Appointment
During your consultation appointment at Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons & Dental Implant Center in Oxford, MI, your surgeon will examine your mouth and take X-rays to determine the stage of development and position of your wisdom teeth. If your oral surgeon concludes that your wisdom teeth are jeopardizing your overall oral health, an individualized treatment plan will be developed for their removal.
Easy, Virtual Consultations
An online video consultation is a virtual appointment in a HIPAA-compliant video conference setting. It is an easy and secure way to consult with your doctor and care team about important information regarding your treatment plan, financial details, pre-and post-operative instructions, and much more. An additional benefit of an online video consultation is convenience. You are able to schedule the appointment at the time and place that works for you. An online video consultation is just like an in-person appointment. You can speak with the doctor directly and ask any questions you may have.
While we make every effort to try and exceed our patients’ expectations, eligibility is at the discretion of the practice to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes. In general, patients seeking a tele-consult should:
- Be between the ages of 14 and 30 years of age
- Be in good health
- Have recent panorex X-rays
- Have a reliable, high-speed internet connection
If you are interested in a tele-consult for wisdom teeth removal, please contact our office in Oxford, MI and one of our staff members will be happy to assist you in scheduling an appointment.
Treat Impacted Wisdom Teeth
An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that develops at an angle and becomes trapped underneath the gum. The roots of wisdom teeth are large and unpredictable, making other nerves and roots susceptible to their damaging effects. Impacted wisdom teeth are difficult to clean properly, which can cause infections and gum disease. Leaving these teeth untreated can lead to the formation of painful cysts, tumors, and other complications.
When canine teeth are impacted, they are corrected with an expose and bond procedure. Unlike canine teeth, wisdom teeth do not serve a primary function so they can easily be extracted.
You can have stem cells from wisdom teeth banked now and used for possible regenerative applications and therapies in the future.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure
At your first visit, you will meet with one of our oral surgeons, who will go over your options for anesthesia and take 3D scans of your mouth. Most patients choose to undergo IV sedation, which puts them into a sleep-like state unable to feel pain. A designated driver must take you home and remain with you for 24 hours after your procedure.
On the day of the procedure, your surgeon will remove any exposed wisdom teeth with forceps. We will break impacted wisdom teeth into smaller pieces before extracting them all. Any incisions are sutured closed, and you will rest in our recovery area until the anesthesia wears off. Be sure to follow the post-operative instructions closely to ensure proper healing of the surgical site and prevent complications.
During the healing process, you will need to keep the extraction sites clean. Avoid drinking through straws, as this can cause dry socket. Beginning the day after surgery, you can rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Pain or swelling for the next few days is common and can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medications, ice packs, and eating soft foods.
Have Wisdom Teeth Removed in Oxford, MI
If you or your child need to have wisdom teeth extracted, please contact our office in Oxford, Michigan, and one of our staff members will be happy to help you schedule an appointment.
Types of Anesthesia
We offer a variety of anesthetic options to make your experience as pleasant and comfortable as possible. The method of sedation used depends on your preference, the nature of the procedure, and your medical history.
Hear From Wisdom Tooth Patients
These patients can tell you about the firsthand experience undergoing wisdom tooth at our office.
Reviews From Our Wisdom Tooth Patients
Ryann
Wisdom Tooth
Patient
"I was referred to by my grandmother; she had previously had a surgery done by Dr. Frey, and she told me how gentle and kind he was. It was when I had gotten my braces on, and one of my tooth would not come up, and he exposed my tooth and put a bracket on so that it would come up properly. It was really good; he told me everything that he was going to do before he did it, so that made me comfortable. For my wisdom teeth, I had Dr. Lesneski, and he was so friendly. He was just so personable and made himself seem more like your friend, and that helped me out because I was so nervous and I was so scared, but he said, "It's going to be easy, I'm going to take care of you, and we're going to get through this." And I said, "Cool." After I got up, he came and saw my afterwards and said, "You did great. You came through like a champ." I plan on referring all my friends to Dr. Lesneski and Dr. Frey because they're so nice, and they really make sure that you're happy and you're healthy, and they want to make you happy."
Sydney
Wisdom Tooth
Patient
"I was actually told about four years ago that I needed to get my wisdom teeth out, and I was very afraid to get them out because I had never been put under before. I met Dr. Lesneski, and I felt very comfortable with him. Dr. Lesneski is super funny and kind and really helps calm the nerves. The staff is very friendly and nice. They came in constantly trying to make sure that I wasn't nervous or to see if I needed anything. It was super easy and quick. I would say this is the best place to go because the staff is friendly, and the doctors are great, and they're always willing to help you. If any of my friends or family in Bay City, Saginaw, or Midland needed their wisdom teeth taken out, I would highly recommend Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons."
Jake
Wisdom Tooth
Patient
"I came to see Dr. Lesneski because I needed my wisdom teeth taken out. I just remember going back there, and then I got put under, and I just don't remember a thing after that. I just thought it would hurt—like I could feel it—but you can't feel it at all. Wasn't really in pain; it just took a little bit of time for all the stuff to heal up, and I did. It was fine. It didn't take too long to heal. The staff—they're nice, they smile, they're good to talk to. Dr. Lesneski—I like him, he's a good guy. I can get along with him pretty good. Yeah, I know people in Goodrich, Fenton, and Flint, Michigan, that I would for sure recommend Dr. Lesneski to, to get their wisdom teeth out."
Lauren
Wisdom Tooth
Patient
"I came to Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons to get all four of my wisdom teeth out. Not many people want to get their wisdom teeth out, but it was time, so I came in. I was extremely nervous to come in to get my wisdom teeth out because I hear all the crazy stories about how awful it is and how it hurts really bad. The staff—they were great. They were so nice, and they were just very personable. I'm sure they expect people to be nervous, so they really know how to just calm your nerves and answer all your questions, so they were really great with that. Dr. Lesneski came in when I was having my eval (evaluation), and he introduced himself, and he was very nice. He answered all my questions, like I said. It was overall a great experience and definitely helped ease my nerves. My procedure went well. I don't remember it, which was great, but once I got home, I didn't have hardly any pain, which is great. If any of my friends or family in Grand Blanc, Fenton, Flint, need to get their wisdom teeth out, I would definitely recommend coming to Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons."
Adrienne
Wisdom Tooth
Patient
"I needed my wisdom teeth out. I was a little nervous at first, but everyone made me feel very comfortable. I had it done super early, so no one was there, it was just people working, and they just were like, "Hi! How are you? You'll be fine, don't worry," and they were just very nice and smiling. It made me feel like I was in good hands. Well, when Dr. Lesneski came in, he was like, "It'll be okay. You'll be fine." I thought it'd be really long and I'd remember a lot of it, but I didn't remember a lot, and it went by like a blink of an eye. It was an overall good experience to have nice people get me feeling comfortable, and I had a good procedure. So, if any of my friends or family needed their wisdom teeth taken out in Flint, Fenton, or Saginaw, I would highly recommend Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons."
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if you have enough room for wisdom teeth?
Every patient is unique, but most people simply do not have enough room for all four wisdom teeth. It's important to visit your dentist for regular checkups so they can monitor your oral health and monitor the growth and development of your wisdom teeth. When necessary they will refer you to an oral surgeon to have your wisdom teeth extracted.
What is the oldest age you can get wisdom teeth?
Age is not the most important factor when determining if wisdom teeth should be extracted. It is more important to consider the development of the teeth than the age of the patient. Wisdom teeth removal during adolescence is recommended because the teeth are smaller and therefore easier to remove. However, wisdom teeth can be removed at almost any age.
How should I prepare for my wisdom teeth removal procedure?
If you have been scheduled to have general anesthesia or IV sedation, it is essential that you do NOT eat or drink anything for 8 hours prior to your procedure. We will provide you with detailed pre- and post-operative instructions to ensure you are prepared before, during, and after your surgery.
Is the third day the worst after wisdom teeth removal?
Pain and swelling after wisdom tooth extraction will build over the first 48 to 72 hours as the local anesthetic wears off and blood flow increases to the surgical area. Discoloration around the eye may occur. Days 3–5 are typically when pain and swelling peak. If you have any questions about your recovery, please contact our office for prompt assistance.
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