Wisdom Teeth
By the age of 18 the average adult has 32 teeth: 16 teeth on top and 16 teeth on bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine, and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth (molar teeth) are used to grind food into a consistency suitable for swallowing.
The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that is meant to hold only 28 teeth. These four other teeth are your third molars, also known as “wisdom teeth”.
Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this is not what generally happens. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, only partially emerge from the gum, or can even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to successfully erupt. An impacted tooth simply means that it is “stuck”.
These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the teeth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain, and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom teeth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the impacted teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid complications.
Wisdom Teeth Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth are discussed.
Oral Examination
With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Drs. Kim or Geiger can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there are present or future potential problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist, or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Drs. Kim or Geiger is trained, licensed, and highly experienced in providing various types of anesthesia for patients.
Removal
In most cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is performed under local anesthesia, laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia), or general anesthesia. These options, as well as the surgical risks (i.e., sensory nerve damage, sinus complications), will be discussed with you before the procedure is performed. Once the teeth are removed, the gum is sutured. To help control bleeding bite down on the gauze placed in your mouth. You will rest under our supervision in the office until you are ready to be taken home. Upon discharge your postoperative kit will include postoperative instructions, a prescription for pain medication, antibiotics, and a follow-up appointment in one week for suture removal. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at Houston Office Phone Number 713-429-4100 and 832-831-8655.
Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety. We utilize modern monitoring equipment and our staff are experienced in anesthesia techniques.
Houston Oral Surgery and Implant Center
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made the whole process very painless and easy.
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Its a good place
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The Houston Oral Surgery and Implant Center exceeded all expectations, and provided a well, professional, and calm environment during surgery.
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Awesome!!!
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Wonderful Doctor nice staff surgery recovery easy would come back and recommend to all my friends!!
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perfect
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Great job.
- karin v
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It was an great experience.
- Alexis F
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Dr. Kim and his staff were great; I always felt like I was safe with them. The procedure went very smooth and I couldn't be happier.
- Elaine C
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The entire thing was painless, i was knocked out so i didn't feel a thing. After the procedure, there wasn't any pain, just a bit of swelling. I thought it would hurt a lot but it didn't.
- Marcus L
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VERY WELL COURTESY AND SERVICE
- william m
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Procedure went great
- Coy B
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A great experience. No problems.
- Don D
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friendly and makes you feel comfortable, pleased
- Raluca P
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I was pleased with everything. There were no problems and I really liked that I was carried out after my surgery in a wheelchair.
- Tam D
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Although it was a little disappointing to have such a mix up with my appointment, the staff was very quick to help and make the rest of the morning go as smoothly as possible. They didn't make me feel as if it were a huge problem to fit me in at their office, even though I wasn't originally on their schedule.
- Hannah B
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The service and quality of the work done by Dr. Kim and the nurses/assistants was great overall. I felt very well taken care of and would recommend this office to anyone.
- Daria C
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Just a great experience
- Maritza A
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Great and friendly place
- Lexus C
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I was very scared because of horror stories i had heard about getting wisdom teeth removed but the staff and Dr. Kim made it much better then expected
- Alexis E
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good care
- cesar g
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I love this place. Its very warm and friendly.
- Lillie M
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VERY POLITE
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I liked it very much
- shemar f
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This was a wonderful experience, We could never say Thank You enough, for the speed and friendliness of the staff and doctor.
- Alexander L
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Thank you for a job well done.
- Maria M
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I love this place! Everyone here is so nice.
- deirdre m
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The entire procedure to remove my wisdom teeth was very easy and quick! Overall, I had an excellent experience here!
- Kaden B
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They did a great job removing my wisdom teeth!!!!
- Zhane' D
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My experience was great, the staff is great. All my questions were answered. I've been to many dentist and I never been treated so well, basically like family. Thank you.
- Angelique V
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The staff is really friendly.
- Brenda G
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The doctor is very good
- Steven L
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I didn't really swell up and I healed fairly quickly. The doctor and staff are really nice.
- Charlotte G
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Great service!! Experienced no pain after oral surgery!!
- Brenda
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y'all are an awesome dentist office . keep up the great work !
- Andrea M
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great staff, one stop spot.
- javas g
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GOOD
- DAIJAH T
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No Pain Great Business will be back
- Brandon T
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Good Dental Place and Ii would recommend anybody having wisdom teeth problems.
- Kameron S
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thank you all for your friendly support
- sadie d
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They work well with you and always doing their job
- kendra M
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My visit was great, first an appointment to set up the surgery and get information then another for the surgery. Surgery was done super quick. Got here and maybe no less than 15 mins I was sitting in a dental chair. This office is great. Had an overall great experience here
- Rodrigo S
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I have no complaints.
- Leticia V
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I was very nervous to get my wisdom teeth removed due to the many horror stories I had heard. Dr. Kim did a wonderful job, and my recovery has been very quick--no pain after 1 day, no bruising, no issues. I'd highly recommend Dr. Kim if you need to have your wisdom teeth removed.
- Asya D
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The procedure was excellent. Didn't feel anything when I was getting the surgery. Treated me good and overall is a good place to come if I need anything else.
- Fernando R
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Staff was friendly and helpful. Dr. Kim did amazing work. Did not feel a thing during the surgery. The entire process was quick and efficient. I was terrified to get my wisdom teeth out but would not have been if I knew how amazing this office was.
- Adam W
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very nice.
- jacob c
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very good service and I will return
- Patrick Williams
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Yo podria venir otra vez para que le arreglaran.. muy paciente el doctor y las muchachas tambien muy amable..
- Monica M
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The best dentist visit I have had in my entire life, and I had braces when I was a lot younger. Surgery went very smooth, great staff, just excellent all around.
- Joshua G

