Wisdom Tooth Removal Dentist in Anchorage, AK

Wisdom teeth usually come in around the ages of 17 to 25. If you’re experiencing jaw pain, gum swelling, tender gums, bloody gums, difficulty opening your mouth, or bad breath, this could be a sign your wisdom teeth are erupting. Wisdom teeth aren’t always a bad thing. Many people don’t even need to get their wisdom teeth removed. That being said, wisdom teeth are prone to cause unnecessary pain and damaging symptoms if they don’t come in correctly.

If your wisdom teeth come in at the correct angle, they should only be mildly painful. If they are impacted, you will experience moderate to severe pain. Whether your pain is mild to severe, we recommend you seek dental care. Your wisdom tooth specialist will take x-rays to confirm if you need to have them removed or not. Catching potential problems early on can prevent gum damage, jaw damage, and tooth damage.

The main problem with wisdom teeth is impaction. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, this means that they’re stuck under the gum and can’t fully come through. This can occur because they’re coming in at the wrong angle or are blocked by your other molars. Other issues that can arise with wisdom teeth include tooth decay, overcrowding, and gum infections.

After wisdom tooth extraction at Four Corners Dental Group, patients may experience some common side effects. These typically include:

• Swelling and Bruising: It’s normal to experience some swelling and bruising around the extraction site. This usually peaks within the first 48 hours and then gradually improves.
• Pain or Discomfort: Pain at the site of the extraction is common, but it can typically be managed with prescribed pain medication or over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Bleeding: A small amount of bleeding is common right after the procedure. It should subside after a few hours. If bleeding persists, you may need to apply pressure or contact your dentist.
• Difficulty Opening Mouth: You may experience stiffness in your jaw or difficulty opening your mouth fully, but this should resolve over time.
• Dry Socket: In some cases, the blood clot that forms in the extraction site can become dislodged, leading to a painful condition known as “dry socket.” It is essential to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions to avoid this.
• Numbness: Temporary numbness or tingling around the extraction site can occur, especially if the procedure was near nerves. This usually resolves after a few days or weeks.

If you experience severe or persistent pain, swelling, or any signs of infection, it’s important to contact Four Corners Dental Group for further evaluation and care.

During your wisdom tooth extraction, you will be under one of the following anesthesia: local anesthesia, sedation anesthesia, or general anesthesia. This will be dependent on the complexity of your tooth extraction. You can first expect your dentist to make an incision in the gums to reveal your tooth and bone. They will then divide the tooth into smaller pieces so that it’s easier to remove. The tooth will then be removed from your gums and the site will be thoroughly cleaned. Next, your dentist or oral surgeon will stitch up the wound and place special gauze over the incision site.

After your procedure, you’ll be a little bit loopy from the anesthesia and will need to be driven home by a family member or friend. Your dentist or oral surgeon will give you careful aftercare instructions to promote proper healing. As you’re healing from wisdom tooth surgery, it’s important to take care of the extraction site. You’ll want to be very careful when cleaning your mouth to not open up the wound. For the first 24 hours, do not rinse your mouth or teeth. For about one to two weeks afterward, rinse your mouth with a gentle oral rinse or an at-home salt and water solution.

While the vast majority of patients at Four Corners Dental Group recover fully within one to two weeks, wisdom tooth surgery is a significant procedure. In rare cases, some patients may experience long-term or delayed side effects. Understanding these risks helps you monitor your healing process effectively:

• Nerve Sensitivity: Two major nerves (the lingual and inferior alveolar nerves) sit close to the lower wisdom teeth. In rare instances, these can be bruised or irritated during removal, leading to a lingering tingling or numb sensation in the tongue, lip, or chin. While this usually resolves within a few months, in very rare cases, the change in sensation can be permanent.
• Sinus Communication: Because upper wisdom teeth are located near the sinus cavities, their removal can occasionally create a small opening between the mouth and the sinus. Most of these heal on their own with proper care, but some may require a follow-up visit to ensure the “communication” closes correctly.
• TMJ Awareness: Patients with pre-existing TMJ (jaw joint) issues may notice temporary stiffness or clicking after the procedure due to the jaw being open for an extended period. Our team provides gentle care and aftercare exercises to help minimize this stress.
• Shifting of Adjacent Teeth: In some cases, the extra space created by removing a large impacted tooth can allow neighboring teeth to shift slightly. This is one reason why Dr. Higgins monitors your bite closely during follow-up appointments.
• Delayed Infection: Although rare, a “delayed-onset” infection can occur 3 to 4 weeks after surgery, even if initial healing seemed perfect. Symptoms include new swelling or a dull ache in the jaw.

The Good News: Most of these complications are rare and can be prevented with a skilled extraction technique and diligent post-operative care. During your consultation, Dr. Higgins will use digital X-rays to assess the proximity of your nerves and sinuses to provide the safest possible treatment plan.

You should expect to pay between $200 and $700 per tooth for straightforward extractions of erupted teeth. Affected tooth extractions can cost anything from $250 to $1,100, on average $350 to $550. Your out-of-pocket costs will depend on various factors, including the state of your teeth, how many teeth are being extracted, the type of anesthetic used, and where you live. Four Corners Dental Group provides an internal dental discount plan to keep operations as inexpensive as possible.  

For further information about wisdom tooth extractions in Anchorage and Wasilla, AK, please feel free to visit Four Corners Dental Group. Our professional dental staff can schedule you for a consultation with one of our specialists and ensure you have all the information you need to feel fully prepared. If you’re suffering from signs or symptoms of a wisdom tooth concern, we encourage you to come in for x-rays. Wisdom tooth pain can decrease your quality of life and make your normal routine much more difficult to get through. 

Four Corners Dental Group looks forward to your visit and alleviating all pain associated with wisdom teeth! For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 3901 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502. We serve patients from Anchorage AK, Downtown Anchorage AK, Midtown Anchorage AK, Fairview Anchorage AK, Abbott Loop Anchorage AK, Eagle River AK, Campbell AK, South Anchorage AK, Chugiak AK, Spenard AK, and surrounding areas.