Protect Your Oral Health
Dentists and oral surgeons recommend having wisdom teeth extracted as soon as possible. These third molars are the last teeth to develop and often appear between the ages of 17 and 25. When left untreated, wisdom teeth can cause many issues including overcrowding, infection, pain, dental shifting, and swelling.Dr. Boynton at Napa Sonoma Oral Surgery & Dental Implants is an expert in extracting wisdom teeth. Contact our oral health specialists in Napa, CA, for an appointment regarding your or your child's wisdom teeth.
Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?
An impacted wisdom tooth is one that has partially erupted but remains trapped beneath the gum tissue. Impacted teeth grow at an angle toward other molars and can push them out of alignment. The roots of wisdom teeth are large and unpredictable, posing a threat to nearby roots and nerves.
An impacted tooth is difficult to properly clean around. This can lead to infection that can spread to nearby gums and other teeth. Severe infection can lead to tooth decay or gum disease, plus the formation of cysts and tumors around the impacted tooth. By having third molars removed, you eliminate the risk of these issues and more associated with wisdom teeth.
Signs of Wisdom Teeth
Some people develop all four wisdom teeth, while others never develop any. Your dentist will take X-rays at checkups and refer you to an oral surgeon if wisdom teeth are discovered. Symptoms commonly caused by wisdom teeth include:
- Ongoing bad breath
- Seeing the tooth poking through the gums
- Pain and pressure near the back of the mouth
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Facial pain
- Irritated gums that become swollen or bleed easily
If you experience any of these, contact our office in Napa to schedule an appointment with Dr. Boynton.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
We will take 3D scans of your mouth during the first visit and create your custom treatment plan. Oral surgeons regularly perform wisdom tooth extractions and are qualified to administer all forms of anesthesia. This includes local anesthesia, general anesthesia, IV sedation, and laughing gas. Patients often undergo IV sedation for this procedure.
In addition to these options, we offer EXPAREL®, a non-narcotic pain relief medication that is administered during the surgical procedure. Ask us about your options for pain management during your consultation.
After the anesthesia is administered, your oral surgeon will extract erupted wisdom teeth with forceps, similar to a simple tooth extraction. To extract impacted wisdom teeth, your surgeon will make an incision in the gums to access and remove these teeth. Sutures will be placed as necessary and you will rest until our team feels you are ready to go home. You will be driven home by a prearranged driver who should remain with you for 24 hours.
Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal in Napa, CA
There are several factors that determine the cost of wisdom tooth removal. These include the number of wisdom teeth, choice of anesthesia, insurance coverage, and overall extent of surgery. During your first visit, we will discuss all of these factors and provide you with a cost estimate.
We are in network with several insurance plans, accept a variety of payment methods, and have financing options available. Visit our Financial & Insurance Information page to learn more.
Bank Stem Cells From Wisdom Teeth
Napa Sonoma Oral Surgery & Dental Implants is partnered with Stemodontics®, a premier stem cell banking service. Wisdom teeth contain many powerful stem cells that can be collected and stored in a laboratory for future use. Should you encounter injury or disease, Stemodontics will ship your stem cells to your healthcare provider for potential treatment. Protect your health by asking us about banking stem cells from wisdom teeth.
Types of Anesthesia
Our practice offers many types of anesthesia and sedation for your comfort.
Hear From Wisdom Teeth Removal Patients
These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing wisdom teeth removal at our office.
Reviews From Our Wisdom Teeth Removal Patients
"Hi, my name’s Georgia, I live in Sonoma, California, and I came to Sonoma Valley Oral Surgery to get my wisdom teeth out. I was nervous, but walking into the practice I immediately felt comfortable and safe. The team is really nice, professional, and very efficient. Dr. Boynton is really calm and just a really nice guy. My procedure went really well. I healed super quickly. On a scale of one to five stars, I would give Sonoma Valley Oral Surgery five whole stars. If any of my friends in Sonoma or American Canyon needed to get their wisdom teeth out, I would tell them to go to Dr. Boynton."
"My name is Chuck, I'm a resident of Sonoma Valley, and my daughter Sarah came to Sonoma Valley Oral Surgery for the extraction of her wisdom teeth. She was very scared, but Dr. Boynton was very gentle with her, and it all went very well. Dr. Boynton has a terrific chairside manner. He's a great listener, and that made a big difference for my wife, myself, and for Sarah. I would recommend Dr. Boynton to any parents looking to have oral surgery for their children. Dr. Boynton is a great surgeon."
" Hi, I'm Noah. I'm from Napa, and I came to Napa Sonoma Oral Surgery and Dental Implants to have my wisdom teeth removed. Whenever I walk in, I really like it because everyone here is really friendly, and they're always answering my questions and stuff like that. They definitely try to make things go as smooth as possible. The procedure went well. Everything here has been super easy. It feels good to have a healthy smile. I had a great experience here. I would definitely recommend Napa Sonoma Oral Surgery and Dental Implants. "
Frequently Asked Questions
Do oral surgeons or dentists extract wisdom teeth?
Oral surgeons have completed years of training and education beyond dental school. They are qualified to perform the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures, including wisdom teeth removal. They are also specially qualified to administer anesthesia, allowing patients to remain safe and comfortable.
A dentist can perform some simple tooth extractions. When patients require complex surgery, anesthesia, and diagnostics, he or she will see an oral surgeon.
How many days off do you need for wisdom teeth removal?
After your wisdom teeth removal procedure, you should feel well enough to resume normal activities within two to four days. Your recovery time will depend on how many teeth were removed, the difficulty of extraction, and your overall health.
What is recovery like after wisdom teeth removal?
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water after meals and brush your teeth gently the day after surgery. Use caution around your extraction sites. It’s very important not to use a straw or smoke for one week following surgery. The sucking motion can dislodge the blood clot inside the tooth socket, resulting in a painful dry socket. Should this occur, contact our office immediately.
Does wisdom teeth removal hurt?
Most patients feel little to no pain during surgery thanks to anesthesia or sedation. You can expect some degree of discomfort during recovery. This can be managed with ice packs, rest, and over-the-counter pain medications. We offer EXPAREL, the single-use, non-narcotic option that can provide pain relief for up to 3 days after surgery.
A Team Committed to Your Oral Health
We put patient safety and comfort at the forefront of our practice to ensure better oral health outcomes and experiences. Contact us to find out how our trusted team of oral surgery specialists can help you and your loved ones.