Wisdom Teeth Removal—Gretna, Metairie, and New Orleans, LA
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to develop. They are also known as third molars, and they grow at the back of the mouth behind the second molars. Most people develop these teeth around the ages of 17–25, although you could develop them much later. The average mouth does not have room to house an additional set of molars, which is why dentists and oral surgeons recommend having wisdom teeth taken out. In doing so, you prevent a host of oral health complications from having the chance to arise.
At Oral Surgery Services, Dr. Demarcus Smith, Dr. Michael Ferguson, and Dr. Kelly Chuang are board-certified oral surgery experts who specialize in wisdom tooth extractions. If you or your child have wisdom teeth or would like an oral examination, please contact our office to learn about wisdom teeth removal in Metairie and Gretna, LA.
Oral Surgeons and Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth removal surgery should be performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon because of their advanced training and experience with complex surgical procedures. Whereas a general dentist can begin practicing right after dental school, an oral surgeon must undergo several additional years of training. During this time, known as a residency, the surgeon performs a variety of surgical procedures in a hospital setting, including third molar extractions, and learns to administer anesthesia. Dr. Smith, Dr. Ferguson, and Dr. Chuang are qualified experts and specialize in removing wisdom teeth.
Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?
Because there is not enough room for these large molars, they try to make room for themselves in the dental arch. When a wisdom tooth partially erupts through the gums, it becomes a magnet for food and bacteria. If left untreated, wisdom teeth can cause these issues and more:
- Misalignment by pushing against nearby molars
- Chronic bad breath, caused by infection
- Cysts or tumors that form around an infected wisdom tooth
- Pain and swelling
- Jaw stiffness
- Damage to surrounding bone and gum tissue
- Damage to facial nerves
Impacted Wisdom Teeth in Metairie and Gretna, LA
A wisdom tooth can sometimes fully erupt through the gum line into the dental arch if there is enough room. When this occurs, it may mean that the tooth does not need to be removed, but this is rare. Most wisdom teeth will partially erupt through the gums or remain trapped beneath the gums entirely. This is known as impaction.
An impacted wisdom tooth does not have the necessary room to erupt and will not naturally emerge on its own. Impacted wisdom teeth must be surgically removed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Can a Partially Erupted Wisdom Tooth Be Pulled?
Dr. Smith, Dr. Ferguson, and Dr. Chuang can extract a wisdom tooth that is fully or partially erupted. Removing a partially erupted wisdom tooth may require an incision or sutures afterward, but is a common type of wisdom tooth extraction that oral surgeons perform. Regardless of the stage of impaction or eruption, dental professionals recommend having the third molars extracted as soon as possible.
Types of Anesthesia
As oral surgeons, Dr. Smith, Dr. Ferguson, and Dr. Chuang have undergone years of training to become experts at performing all types of oral and maxillofacial procedures, including the safe administration of anesthesia. Your treatment plan, including your options for anesthesia, will be discussed in detail before your procedure.
What to Expect During Wisdom Teeth Removal
At a consultation visit, Dr. Smith, Dr. Ferguson, or Dr. Chuang will complete an oral examination and we will take 3D scans of your mouth. Oral Surgery Services offers several types of anesthesia so you can relax and not feel any pain, including local and general anesthesia, IV sedation, and nitrous oxide. IV sedation is most commonly used for wisdom tooth removal.
On the day of surgery, we will administer the selected anesthetic. Once you are comfortable, your oral surgeon will remove any erupted wisdom teeth using forceps. Impacted teeth will need to be surgically removed. To do this, your surgeon will make an incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth, then remove it. Sutures will be placed as needed on the extraction sites and you will rest until the anesthesia wears off.
If undergoing IV sedation, an adult must remain in the office during your surgery and drive you home afterward. This individual should stay with you for 24 hours to provide assistance while you’re under the effects of anesthesia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days off do you need for wisdom teeth?
You should take the day of surgery off from work or school. Most patients return to their routines within a few days following surgery, depending on the complexity of the procedure and instructions from your surgeon.
How much does wisdom teeth removal cost?
The number of wisdom teeth, your insurance, your choice of anesthesia, and the complexity of the procedure factor into the cost of having wisdom teeth removed. During the consultation, we discuss these factors and will provide a cost estimate.
How many days after wisdom teeth can you eat normally?
Your food intake will be limited for a few days, and a high-protein, high-calorie liquid diet is recommended. Ramp up your diet as tolerated, and be sure to follow the post-operative instructions provided to you. You should not use a straw or smoke for 1 week, as the sucking motion could dislodge the blood clot, resulting in a painful condition known as dry socket.
Is it normal to have pain when wisdom teeth come in?
It is normal to experience pain, swelling, or pressure in the back of the mouth when wisdom teeth develop. However, not everyone experiences pain. Even with little to no pain, wisdom teeth can still cause health problems and should be extracted promptly.
Where can I get my wisdom teeth removed near New Orleans, LA?
Oral Surgery Services has two offices in Metairie and Gretna, LA, where our board-certified oral surgeons perform wisdom teeth removal. Our offices are about a 20 minute drive from New Orleans and are conveniently located for patients living in New Orleans or any surrounding areas. If you or your child need third molars extracted or evaluated, contact Oral Surgery Services today.
Contact our Metairie Office
Contact our Gretna Office
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Wisdom Teeth Removal and other procedures.
"Hi, I'm Alex from Kenner, and I went to Oral Surgery Services to get my wisdom teeth removed. When I first walked into this practice, I was greeted with nice smiles and good scenery. Everybody made me feel comfortable. I knew I was in good hands. Dr. Ferguson was a very nice man who made sure I felt safe. My procedure went so well. My recovery went very smoothly and within due time I was fine. It feels great to have a beautiful, healthy smile, all because of Dr. Ferguson. My overall experience at Oral Surgery Services was very nice. Everybody was super kind and friendly and the surgery was perfect. All my friends and family and Estelle, I highly recommend Oral Surgery Services."
"My name’s Alicia, I live in New Orleans, and I came to OSS for extractions and bone grafting. The overall experience was just very pleasant. The environment is very calm and warm and welcoming. Everybody was really helpful. I felt safe, which is really important to me. Dr. Smith was very transparent. He made me feel very comfortable. My recovery was just as I expected, just as the doctor told me it was going to be. It was very quick. It was so smooth, I didn’t even know it happened. I would one hundred percent recommend OSS to anyone in New Orleans or Jefferson Parish."
"My name is Amy, and I am from Metairie, Louisiana. My son was here for services with Dr. Ferguson. Our orthodontist found that his wisdom teeth were coming in at a severe angle — all four — and she referred us to Dr. Ferguson for that extraction. Dr. Ferguson is an ultimate professional. He made us extremely comfortable from the first meeting. The staff here is professional and very efficient. My son’s surgery went extremely well, and recovery went very well, actually a little better than I was expecting. Overall, my family had an exceptional experience here. For my family and friends in Metairie, I would highly recommend OSS."
"Hi, I'm Anne from New Orleans. I am a parent of a wisdom tooth patient, and we came to Oral Surgery Services. The staff was wonderful from the word go from the beginning. We saw Dr. Ferguson, and he was absolutely fantastic. Dr. Ferguson is incredibly personable he is on top of his game. The procedure for our son went incredibly well and it's been perfect ever since. It was a very great experience. I highly recommend oral surgery services."
"Hi, I'm Lisa and I'm from Kenner. And I brought my son, Alex, here to Oral Surgery Services to have his wisdom teeth removed. I felt very comfortable and relieved knowing that they had a really good staff. They treat you like family and they make you feel very welcomed. I was very confident with Dr. Ferguson as his surgeon. He put him at ease and he answers every question you might have as a parent. His procedure went very well. They recovered him real easily. He woke up feeling really good. He had a great experience. He loves Dr. Ferguson. He always asks how he's doing. I was very pleased with how they handled my first visit to my very last post operative visit. I would recommend Oral Surgery Services to everybody and anybody I ever met."
"Hi, I'm Al from Chalmette. I came to see Dr. Ferguson for a dental implant. When I first walked in, it was amazing. I found the staff here to be very helpful and friendly. Dr. Ferguson, he was like an old friend to me and he explained everything, all the procedures to me about the implants. The procedure went very good, better than I thought, and the outcome is fantastic. My quality of life is fantastic, and now I just feel more confident in myself. To all my family and friends in Laplace, I would highly recommend Dr. Ferguson."
"My name is Ashley. I live in Kenner, Louisiana, and I had a tooth extraction. I had two surgeries on my jaw to remove abscesses, and I had an implant placed so that I could ultimately get a permanent tooth. Everything went great, I’ve now got the permanent tooth, and I have had zero problems with it — it’s been great, and I absolutely have no worries about it for the future ever having any problems with it again. Oh, when I first came in to meet everyone, it was amazing. I walked in the door, I was greeted immediately, I was comfortable. Dr. Ferguson is an excellent, excellent surgeon and a wonderful human being — the way he treated me, and he just genuinely cares about his patients. Dr. Ferguson and his team made me feel like family here. I had a great experience here, and I would highly recommend Oral Surgery Services."
"My name is Cecelia. I’m from Metairie, Louisiana, and I had a dental extraction, bone graft, and a dental implant. I was very apprehensive before coming in. First of all, I’d never had anything like this — you hear about it — but they’re very nice. It’s a busy office, but you never feel rushed, and it’s personable service. Staff is very kind. They are very warm and cordial. Dr. Smith is very professional and very knowledgeable. Everything went well, and I had a very good experience. For my friends and family in Metairie and the New Orleans area, I highly recommend Dr. Smith."
"Hi, I'm Cindy from Metairie. I came to Oral Surgery Services for a dental implant. The staff were amazing. They were very gentle, friendly, and warm and welcoming. Just made me feel right at home. Dr. Ferguson, he's an excellent surgeon. He is also an MD. His qualifications are impeccable and I really, really felt comfortable in his care. My procedure was very smooth. Everything was just perfect. My quality of life has improved immensely. It feels wonderful to have a beautiful, healthy smile again. I would definitely recommend oral surgery services to everyone."
Tooth Extraction—Gretna, Metairie, and New Orleans, LA
Our team at Oral Surgery Services is here to support and guide you through each step of your oral surgery care. Dr. Smith, Dr. Ferguson, and Dr. Chuang offer many types of anesthesia to make your tooth extraction experience comfortable and positive. If you have a tooth that is badly damaged, infected, or causing severe pain, we encourage you to contact our office for an evaluation. Dr. Smith, Dr. Ferguson, and Dr. Chuang will outline all of your treatment options and help determine the right course of action for your needs.