Answer: Many general Dentists remove teeth and some wisdom teeth can be extracted by the general dentist. Usually, the upper extractions are easier. However, if a tooth is under bone, a surgeon is probably a better choice. Removal of bony impactions involves flapping back gum tissue over the tooth and sometimes sectioning the tooth and taking it our in pieces. Sometimes bone over the tooth must be removed. This is best performed by a specialist surgeon. Also, general dentists are typically not trained in intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.

2. Will dental insurance pay for wisdom tooth surgery?

Answer: Check with your insurance company before having the surgery. Often, removal of impacted wisdom teeth is covered by medical insurance rather than dental insurance. If you are in a plan which requires that your surgeon be participating, check this out first.

3. One dentist has told me that my wisdom tooth can stay in the mouth and another has told me it must come out. Which dentist is right?

Answer: Some impacted teeth are so obviously in trouble that dentists will agree on extraction. Differing opinions occur when teeth are marginal (they almost fit, they are totally under bone, etc.). If you are unsure, get another opinion. Consider the dentist's motivation and consider the problems the tooth has caused and is likely to cause.

4. What are some of the risks of the surgical removal of third molars?

Answer: Risks include numbness of the lower lip, post operative dry socket (a pain that comes about 4-5 days after surgery and is caused by premature loss of the blood clot in the socket). If there is bone to remove there can be some swelling. However frequently there is very little pain (that is easily controlled) and healing is uneventful.

5. What is a "Dry Socket?"

Answer: A dry socket is a condition that may occur 4-5 days after tooth extraction. No one is sure what causes this, but something in the patient's surrounding tissue causes the blood clot in the healing socket to dissolve. This leaves bone uncovered and makes healing longer. Dry sockets tend to occur in lower molar extractions much more frequently than anywhere else. They also tend to happen in smokers. If you have had an extraction and things seemed to be fine, but then 4-5 days later the jaw starts to hurt call your dentist/oral surgeon. There are some ointments that can help and pain control medicine may be indicated for a few days. Usually all that is really needed is time.