Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom Tooth Extractions in West Des Moines
Keeping your smile healthy can be a challenge—but Apex Dental makes it simple with:
- Top-notch care & expertise you can trust.
- Expedited scheduling, so you don’t wait months for an appointment.
- IV sedation options for a calm, comfortable experience.
- Skilled professionals and state-of-the-art facilities for the best results.
At Apex Dental, your wisdom tooth extraction is efficient, comfortable, and handled by the best team in West Des Moines and beyond.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Our third set of molars, also known as our wisdom teeth, typically develop in our teens and early twenties. When our jaws develop to adequate size, our wisdom teeth can erupt properly and be well maintained. In the shrinking jaws of modern society, however, many people have wisdom teeth that become impacted and/or have insufficient space to erupt or be cleaned appropriately.
At Apex Dental, we monitor wisdom tooth development and potential impact on the rest of your mouth through x-rays, including 3D imaging, and examination.
What is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?
Although most people develop and grow 32 permanent adult teeth, many times their jaws are too small to accommodate all four wisdom teeth. When inadequate space prevents the teeth from erupting they are called impacted wisdom teeth. This indicates their inability to erupt into the proper position for chewing and cleaning.
We will need to see you for a consultation to determine if you will benefit from wisdom tooth removal. A special x-ray of your mouth and jaws (panoramic x-ray) will be taken to determine if your wisdom teeth are impacted, if there is room for them to erupt, and how difficult it will be to have them removed.
Types of Impactions
- Soft Tissue Impaction: There is not enough room to allow the gum tissue to retract for adequate cleaning of the tooth.
- Partial Bony Impaction: There is enough space to allow the wisdom tooth to partially erupt. However, the tooth cannot function properly in the chewing process, and creates cleaning problems, among others.
- Complete Bony Impaction: There is NO space for the tooth to erupt. It remains embedded in the jawbone or if even partially visible requires complex surgical techniques for removal. The impacted wisdom tooth may also be in an unusual position and difficult to remove. This situation can also arise when the shape or size of the jawbone and other facial structures make removal of this tooth significantly more complex.
We are proud to offer removal of simple as well as more complex impacted wisdom teeth in our office, and also offer IV sedation in-house which allows you to rest comfortably during your procedure with little to no memory of your dental treatment.
Preparing for Your Wisdom Tooth Extraction at Apex Dental
Preparing for Your Wisdom Tooth Extraction at Apex Dental
1
Consultation & Preparation
Your visit begins with a thorough consultation and assessment using our advanced 3D CBCT technology to capture a panoramic view of your teeth and jaw. We’ll discuss any questions or concerns and, if needed, conduct a sedation consultation to find the best option for you.
You’ll also receive detailed pre-procedure instructions covering fasting, medications, and transportation to help ensure a smooth experience.
2
What to expect during the procedure?
During your wisdom tooth extraction, our team uses the latest tools and techniques to maximize comfort and safety. IV sedation is available to help reduce anxiety, and our experienced professionals carefully monitor you throughout the procedure.
3
Recovery & Follow-Up
Following your wisdom tooth extraction, our team will provide detailed instructions and care information to help you manage any discomfort or swelling and ensure a smooth recovery. We will also schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and ensure that everything is healing properly.
Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
If you do not have enough room in your mouth for your third molars to fully erupt, a number of problems can happen. Impacted wisdom teeth should be removed before their root structure is fully developed. In some patients it is as early as 12 or 13, and in others it may not be until the early twenties. Problems tend to occur with increasing frequency after the age of 30.
Infection
The most frequent clinical problem we see is pericoronitis, (a localized gum infection). Without enough room for total eruption, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth can become irritated and infected, resulting in recurrent pain, swelling, and problems with chewing and/or swallowing.
Cyst Formation
Non-infectious diseases may also arise in association with an impacted wisdom tooth. Cysts are fluid-filled “balloons” inside the jawbone that develop as a result of impacted teeth and slowly expand destroying adjacent jawbone and occasionally teeth. They can be very difficult to treat if your wisdom teeth are not removed in your teenage years. Although rare, tumors can be associated with the delayed removal of wisdom teeth.
Damage to Adjacent Teeth
If there is inadequate room to clean around the wisdom tooth, the tooth directly in front, the second molar, can be adversely affected resulting in gum disease, bone loss around the tooth, and/or decay.
Possible Crowding
Impacted wisdom teeth may contribute to crowding of your teeth. This is most noticeable with the front teeth, primarily the lower front teeth and is most commonly seen after a patient has had braces. There are a number of factors that cause teeth to crowd after braces or in early adulthood. Retained, impacted wisdom teeth may be a contributing factor. Unless you have an active problem when you see the oral surgeon, the reason for removal is primarily to prevent long-term damage to your teeth, gums and jawbone.
COMFORT-FOCUSED CARE
IV Sedation
Apex Dental offers the comfort of in-house IV sedation for your wisdom tooth removal surgery. This provides a pain-free and low anxiety experience. Dr. Brad has been licensed in IV sedation by the Iowa Dental Board for many years. He maintains membership in the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. He and his team have extensive training in offering IV sedation to assure a safe and effective treatment.
IV sedation helps reduce anxiety and stress during the procedure, making it easier for your body to focus on healing and recovery. Many patients who undergo IV sedation have little to no memory of the experience, making the recovery process more comfortable as you won’t dwell on or feel stressed about the procedure. Remember that individual recovery times can vary depending on factors like the complexity of the extraction, your overall health, and how well you follow post-operative care instructions.
Why Choose Apex Dental?
Expertise and Experience
Led by Dr. Brad and Dr. Mindy, our skilled team is dedicated to delivering exceptional, individualized dental care. We combine years of expertise with a genuine passion for helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles.
State-of-the-Art FACILITIES
Apex Dental uses the latest technology—including 3D CBCT imaging and PRF therapy—to ensure precise, comfortable wisdom tooth extractions. Our modern facilities and advanced techniques allow us to provide the highest level of care to West Des Moines and beyond.
Personalized Care
Every patient is unique, and so is every treatment plan. We take time to understand your goals and concerns, creating a customized approach that ensures comfort, confidence, and lasting results.
Comfort and Education
We know dental visits can be stressful, so we focus on creating a calm, judgment-free environment. Our team provides clear communication and education, empowering you to feel confident and informed throughout your dental journey.
Serving the West Des Moines Area and Beyond
We’re proud to serve the West Des Moines area and beyond, and are committed to improving the oral health and well-being of our neighbors through lasting relationships and community involvement. We strive to create lasting relationships with our patients and contribute to the overall health and happiness of our community.
At Apex Dental, we understand that the thought of wisdom tooth extraction can be daunting. That’s why we provide patients with the highest standard of care, prompt scheduling, IV sedation, and state-of-the-art technology, all in a warm and welcoming environment.
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort related to your wisdom teeth, or just want to learn more about our services, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our team. We’ll provide you with personalized care, education, and options to ensure your dental health and happiness.
FAQs
What if I don’t have my wisdom teeth removed as a teenager or young adult?
As wisdom teeth develop, the roots become longer and the jawbone more dense. When it is necessary to remove impacted wisdom teeth in your thirties, forties or beyond, the post-operative course can be prolonged and there is a higher complication rate. Treating these complications is often more difficult and less predictable than with a younger patient. Healing may be slower and the chance of infection can be increased. If your impacted wisdom teeth are not removed in your teenage years or early in your twenties and they are completely impacted in bone, it may be advisable to wait until a localized problem (such as cyst formation or localized gum disease and bone loss) develops. In general, you will heal faster, more predictably and have fewer complications if treated in your teens or early twenties.
What should I expect on the day of my wisdom tooth removal surgery?
We ask that a parent or responsible adult accompanies you to the office and plans to stay with you the rest of the day. The procedure will take about 45 to 60 minutes, and you will probably be in the office for 90 minutes.
Recent advances in medicine and technology allow patients to undergo wisdom tooth removal in a manner that promotes rapid healing and minimal postoperative discomfort. State-of-the-art sterilization and infection control techniques are used at all times.
When you are seated in the surgical room, we will make every effort to make you as comfortable as possible. If you are going to be sedated, we usually place an IV in your left arm—this is a quick and nearly painless procedure that ensures optimal delivery of your medication. Local anesthesia is given afterwards to ensure comfort and allow adequate time to travel home and rest. You will be sleepy for a significant portion of the day.
Will I be sedated for my wisdom tooth removal?
Most people prefer to be unaware of the experience when they have their wisdom teeth removed and usually decide to be sedated. You will be provided with anesthesia options at your consultation, and most of our patients opt for IV Sedation for their wisdom tooth surgery.
How should I prepare for my surgery?
On the morning or afternoon of your surgery, it is essential that you have nothing to eat or drink (excluding prescription medications with a sip of water) for at least six hours—preferably longer. This does not mean you should try to fit in one “last meal” exactly six hours before your surgery. Having anything in your stomach can increase the risk for anesthetic complications, including nausea and vomiting.
We may provide you with a prescription for pain medication at your consultation appointment, which, for your convenience, can be filled in advance.
What is recovery like after surgery?
If your surgery requires stitches, these are usually the type that dissolve in three to five days and do not require removal. You may also notice a sensation of your gums feeling swollen and pulling away from your teeth. This is all part of normal recovery and will subside in several days.
Once the local anesthesia wears off, you may require prescription pain medication. Please try non-narcotic anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil®) first, to see if that adequately treats your pain. If not, begin your other prescription pain medication. The local anesthesia may last until the following day and should not be confused with an injury to your nerve.
We recommend starting your post-operative diet with clear liquids such as jello and broths, gradually increasing in substance as your body permits. We do not recommend using dairy products such as yogurt, ice cream, or milkshakes on the day of surgery, as nausea and vomiting may develop in conjunction with the anesthetic and pain medication.
Still Have Questions?
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Give us a call or share your questions in our consultation request form. We’re happy to help!
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Request a consultation today and experience dental care that puts YOU first.
Dentists who put your comfort, confidence, and whole health first.
725 S 51st St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
515.224.1618
Monday–Thursday, 8AM–5PM
