Wisdom Teeth Removal
Vancouver, BC
Safe, Stress-Free Extractions for Lasting Relief
Why Call Us for Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Advanced Imaging
We use CT scans and digital impressions to map wisdom teeth precisely, reducing risks and ensuring smoother extractions.
Holistic Approach
Our dentist in Vancouver, BC, uses a whole-body approach that protects your overall health while safely removing wisdom teeth.
Sedation Options
With nitrous oxide and IV sedation, we provide tailored comfort so wisdom teeth removal feels calm, safe, and stress-free.
Decades of Trust
With 40+ years of experience in Vancouver, our team has guided thousands of patients through safe wisdom teeth extractions.
Is It Time to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth? Book Today
If you fall into the average age range for wisdom teeth eruption but aren't experiencing pain, swelling, or other symptoms, it's still a good idea to meet with our dental team to see if all is well.
Don't wait until the pain from impacted wisdom teeth sends you to our Vancouver dentist's office. Come in for regular appointments ahead of time to get X-rays and a close-up view of how your wisdom teeth are growing. That way, we can help prevent pain and problems before they start.
Reach out to us online or call today:
Paying for Your Dental Care
Our team at Enlighten Dental in Vancouver wants general dentistry procedures to be accessible to everyone, so we go above and beyond to make care affordable. We accept most insurances, which will typically contribute to or cover the cost of wisdom teeth removal. We will help you maximize your benefits by filing a claim for you. If you're uninsured or have out-of-pocket costs, we offer flexible financing plans so the care you need is still within reach.
Sedation Helps Patients Stay Calm
Though it's a given that our dentists at Enlighten Dental will use local anesthesia to numb your treatment site, they can also provide sedation to help you relax in the dental chair. We use sedation methods like:
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide sedation is administered through a nose mask shortly before you begin treatment. Also known as "laughing gas," this is a light form of sedation that helps patients remain calm, but awake throughout treatment. Once the nose mask is removed, the sedation wears off quickly. Since it's a mild sedation, you won't experience lingering effects that other forms of sedation may cause.
IV Sedation
If you have more than one tooth to remove, you may benefit more from IV sedation. This method is a heavier form of sedation than nitrous oxide and may leave you feeling a bit groggy, but it is a preferable option for many of our Vancouver patients. IV sedation renders a patient deeply relaxed and semi-conscious, and they may have no memory of their procedure.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are the backmost teeth on each dental arch. These molars emerge last, typically right before or around adulthood. While some wisdom teeth erupt without a problem, their emergence can sometimes cause infection and tooth misalignment when a dental arch doesn't have enough space to accommodate them.
What Are the Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Choosing to have your wisdom teeth removed has many benefits and can save you a lot of pain, time, and money in the future.
Avoid Pain
The process of your wisdom teeth erupting can be painful. You might find it uncomfortable to chew with your back teeth and have a lingering sensation of pain. Partially or fully impacted wisdom teeth can cause swelling in the jaw, painful cysts, and serious complications.
Save Money
If you let your wisdom teeth grow in, they may shift your other teeth. This shifting can result in overcrowding, a misaligned bite, and other alignment problems that may need to be corrected with orthodontics, costing you more in the long run than the wisdom tooth extraction would have.
Improve Oral Health
If your shifting teeth have resulted in a crowded, crooked smile, you may find it more difficult to brush and floss all surfaces of your teeth. This can lead to various oral health problems, like cavities and gum disease.
How Do I Know if My Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted?
Impacted wisdom teeth do not fully emerge from the gums. Generally, if your wisdom teeth are impacted, you may observe signs and symptoms like:
Localized Swelling
Bleeding Gums
Dental Pain
Gum Infections
Tooth Shifting
Trapped Food
Tech Elevates Our Treatment
CT scans give our dentists a closer look at the visible parts of your teeth as well as the tooth roots, blood vessels, soft tissues, and other parts of the mouth that the eye can't see. These scans give us a more detailed view of the position of your wisdom teeth when they haven't yet erupted. We can also take digital impressions of your teeth using our intraoral scanner. We aim to give you an accurate view of your smile and improve your overall wellness by using this technology and other advanced tools at our Vancouver dental office.
Why Remove My Wisdom Teeth if They Are Not Causing Problems?
Think of removing wisdom teeth as a form of maintenance. While you may not currently be experiencing any pain, swelling, or general discomfort, having your wisdom teeth extracted now can save you from future discomfort and infections.
It's also advantageous to have them removed when you are a young adult, since the extraction and healing process will be easier.
When you decide to have your wisdom teeth removed at our Vancouver practice, you can schedule care on your own timeline. Having a scheduled appointment is typically a lot less stressful than needing immediate care. You won't have to suffer before your appointment—you can simply come in, get the care you need, and after a short healing period, never worry about your wisdom teeth again. Get started today by reaching out to our office:
How Emerging Wisdom Teeth Change Your Mouth
Before Emergence
A mouth with 28 teeth before wisdom tooth emergence
After Emergence
A mouth with 32 teeth after wisdom tooth emergence
As you can see, other teeth are often forced to shift to make room for each new wisdom tooth. Patients prefer to avoid this because it can be uncomfortable and can ruin the tooth alignment they have achieved through orthodontics.
The Wisdom Tooth Removal Timeline
Whether patients need immediate wisdom teeth removal or they are planning for the future, they trust our Vancouver dentists to get the job done.
Consultation
We'll welcome you into our Vancouver office for a routine consultation. We can examine your mouth and determine the status of your wisdom teeth using observation and X-rays.
Sedation
Our dentists will ensure that you remain calm and comfortable during your procedure. We will use local anesthesia and offer you sedation so that you don't feel any pain and can relax in the dental chair. Once the treatment site is completely numb, we will begin your extraction.
Removal
After the area is clean, your dentist will make a small incision in your gums. This allows them to remove your wisdom teeth. They will repeat as necessary for each impacted molar.
Closing
Once the teeth have been removed, your dentist will close up the area with a few careful stitches, allowing easier healing for your gums. They will also likely pack the affected area with gauze.
Recovery
After your wisdom teeth extraction, you will need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home. There, you should rest and relax. Complete healing takes about two weeks, but you can return to work in a day or two.
Stop Worrying About Your Wisdom Teeth and Visit Enlighten Dental
Each type of tooth has its own specific function, except for wisdom teeth. When they erupt incorrectly, these teeth can actually harm your oral health by becoming partially stuck in the gums and causing an infection.
However, there's a way that you can prevent them from causing any problems: a wisdom tooth extraction at Enlighten Dental.
If you've noticed a wisdom tooth or teeth have already begun to emerge, let us intervene. Our dentists can perform the same treatment as oral surgeons, allowing you to have a healthy and pain-free smile once again. If you're ready to explore your candidacy for wisdom tooth removal, contact our Vancouver, BC, office or call:
5 Ways to Optimize Recovery
After your wisdom teeth extraction, there are several things that you can do to improve the healing process, like:
Get Some Much-Needed Rest
One of the best things you can do for your recovery is simply to rest. You should give yourself a day or two to relax. It also helps to use a second pillow when you are lying down or sleeping.
Take Pain Medication
If you experience pain and discomfort in the days following your extraction, you can hold a cool compress to your jaw or take pain medication to alleviate your symptoms.
Brush Your Teeth Carefully
Good oral hygiene is always important. As you heal, you should still brush your teeth. However, wait to brush around the extraction sites until your gums have fully recovered.
Avoid Dislodging the Blood Clot
The extraction sites will form important blood clots after your procedure. If a clot becomes dislodged, it will lead to dry socket, a painful condition in which the underlying bone and nerves are exposed. To keep the blood clots in place, refrain from drinking hot liquids, vigorous spitting, using a straw, and smoking or drinking alcohol for at least 72 hours.
Ask Us If You Need Help
From questions about aftercare to attention for any complications that arise, our dentists at Enlighten Dental are here to help you heal. Please, always feel free to contact or visit our Vancouver team if you need anything at all. Complications from wisdom teeth removal are very rare, but call our team if you experience fever, excessive bleeding, or other serious symptoms.
Our dentists will send you home with a post-op kit that includes everything you'll need to help ensure a smooth recovery.
