Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom Teeth Extraction in Chesterfield, Missouri

It’s 2 AM, and that dull ache behind your last molar has morphed into a throbbing nightmare. Your jaw feels locked, yawning hurts, and you know something is really wrong. When wisdom teeth can’t emerge properly, your body lets you know in the most inconvenient way possible.

We remove wisdom teeth when they can’t erupt or begin to threaten your overall oral health. These third molars typically appear in the late teens or early twenties, but most modern mouths simply don’t have room. Trying to fit a fifth car in a four-car garage? It just doesn’t work and pain, infection, or crowding are often the result.

Quick Takeaways

• Timing matters: Removal is easiest and recovery is fastest when done in your teens or early twenties.
• Not everyone needs removal: We only recommend extraction if the teeth can’t emerge properly or are causing problems.
• Recovery varies: Most patients return to normal activities within a week; full healing takes 2–3 weeks.
• Dental anxiety relief: We keep you comfortable with gentle nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help you relax during treatment.

Common Signs Your Wisdom Teeth Need Attention

Some signals are impossible to ignore. If you notice these warning signs, wisdom tooth removal may be in your future:

• Persistent pain or pressure in the back of your mouth, especially with chewing.
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums around partially erupted teeth.
• Difficulty opening your mouth fully, or jaw stiffness.
• Shifting or crowding of existing teeth, sometimes undoing orthodontic work.
• Repeat bouts of gum infection (pericoronitis) near your wisdom teeth.
• Food or bacteria collecting around hard-to-clean teeth.
• Persistent bad taste or bad breath even with good oral hygiene.

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When you can’t reach your wisdom teeth to clean them, bacteria thrive.Dr. Silva uses advanced 3D cone beam imaging to precisely see how your wisdom teeth are positioned and whether they're impacting your jaw or nearby teeth. This is dental X-ray vision, reducing guesswork and supporting your safety.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions                            

Wisdom teeth are the last molars, or "third molars" that develop on each side of the jaw. They usually emerge in the back of the mouth between the ages of 16-20.

Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned. Often, however, they cause problems that require their removal. When the jaw isn't large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they can become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth may grow sideways, emerge only part way through the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.

A wisdom tooth extraction/removal is a relatively routine procedure. The dentist will numb the area in the mouth with a local anesthesia or use IV sedation so that the patient is asleep during the procedure.

After the tooth (or teeth) is removed, the patient is given gauze to softly bite down on for a recommended amount of time to limit any bleeding. Some pain, bruising and swelling may occur, but it will usually go away after a few days.

What to Expect During Wisdom Teeth Removal

We understand that having wisdom teeth removed can cause anxiety, so our Chesterfield team takes extra steps to ensure comfort and clarity.

Here’s a step-by-step outline:

1. Pre-surgical review and 3D scan assessment.
2. Local anesthesia for complete numbing.
3. Tooth extraction: simple for erupted teeth, small incisions for impacted ones.
4. Cleaning the site to remove debris or infection.
5. Closure with dissolvable sutures if necessary.

The entire procedure usually takes 45–60 minutes for all four wisdom teeth; individual extractions may take just 15–20 minutes. Before you go home, you’ll receive written aftercare instructions and our emergency contact so that support doesn’t end at the door.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Surgical Extraction Process

Impacted teeth sometimes need a more refined approach:

• We make a small flap in the gum to reach the tooth.
• Any bone blocking the tooth is gently removed.
• Deeply impacted teeth are sectioned into smaller pieces for easier removal, think carefully dismantling a ship in a bottle.
• This reduces swelling and trauma, helping you recover faster.

Our use of 3D imaging means we plan every detail before your appointment, making even complex extractions predictable, efficient, and gentle on your tissue.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery is smoother when you follow our instructions:

• First 24 hours: Allow a blood clot to form; avoid straws, spitting, and vigorous rinsing.
  
  • Use ice packs 15-20 minutes each hour to reduce swelling.
• Days 2-3: Swelling peaks which is normal and expected.
  
  • Begin saltwater rinses after 24 hours (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water).
  • Eat soft foods initially: smoothies, yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs.
• Days 4-7: Swelling fades as you slowly add solid foods back in.

Total tissue healing takes 2–3 weeks, but most return to routine in about a week. Your body heals best with a little patience and a lot of hydration.

Can I Work After Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

• Most desk-based jobs: Return in 2–3 days (expect some chipmunk cheeks and slurred speech depending on swelling).
• Heavy lifting or physical work: Plan for 4–5 days off to reduce risk of complications.
• If your work is customer-facing or on camera, expect to wait until swelling melts away. Some prefer to schedule surgery before a weekend for a stealthier recovery.

Factors impacting your timeline include the number of teeth removed, whether they were impacted, or your natural healing pace.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost and Insurance

The cost of wisdom teeth removal in Chesterfield depends on:

• Whether extraction is simple (fully erupted) or surgical (impacted)
• The number of teeth being removed

Most insurance plans may help cover medically necessary wisdom teeth removal—for example, when there’s pain, swelling, impaction, or infection. Some plans may also contribute toward preventive extractions, especially for teens.

Before treatment, you’ll receive a detailed written estimate of all fees. We also offer CareCredit and other flexible payment options to help make care more manageable. If you have questions about costs, our team is happy to walk you through pricing and payment options so you feel informed and confident.

Sedation Options for Wisdom Teeth Surgery

Your comfort is a top priority. For most patients, we use local anesthesia to fully numb the area, and nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) is available to help ease dental anxiety.

For patients who need a deeper level of sedation, we can coordinate care with our trusted oral surgeon partner. During your consultation, we’ll review your health history and comfort needs and recommend the best approach.

Should I Choose a General Dentist or Oral Surgeon?

Most wisdom tooth extractions, including impacted teeth, can be performed safely by Dr. Silva right here in our office, thanks to advanced surgical training and technology like 3D CBCT. This means:

• Ongoing care with familiar faces who know your medical history
• Fewer referrals, less hassle
• A trusted, judgment-free environment

In rare, complex cases, unusual anatomy, deeply impacted teeth near nerves, or cases needing IV sedation, we refer you to one of Chesterfield’s excellent oral surgeons and coordinate every detail, ensuring you feel supported throughout your care.

Wisdom Teeth Removal vs. Keeping Them: Your Options

Every choice has pros and cons. We help you consider all factors before recommending surgery.

Benefits of Removal:

• Eliminates pain and infection risk
• Protects your investment in orthodontics
• Improves oral hygiene by making brushing and flossing easier
• Helps avoid cysts, adjacent tooth damage, or complicated problems

Considerations with Removal:

• Every surgery carries some risk (dry socket, nerve injury)
• There is a short period of downtime and a soft diet
• There is an immediate financial investment, but often fewer future issues

Keeping Wisdom Teeth Can Be an Option When:

• Teeth erupt fully, in the correct position, and are easy to clean
• There is no pain, no crowding, and no gum problems
• Ongoing monitoring with exams and 3D imaging confirm stability

Sometimes, the best option is careful monitoring rather than immediate action. We’ll help you decide, based on your age, health, and big-picture goals.

Why Choose Chesterfield Family Dentistry for Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Our difference really comes down to three things:

• Advanced 3D imaging for ultra-precise, conservative care
• Compassionate, personalized approach
• A focus on comfort, education, and support from pre-op through recovery

You will always leave with clear aftercare instructions and the peace of mind that you can reach us with any concern.

Take the First Step: Schedule Your Wisdom Teeth Consultation

Don’t let wisdom tooth pain or uncertainty keep you up at night. Book a consultation at Chesterfield Family Dentistry and let Dr. Silva and Dr. Savanna guide you with clarity and compassion. We evaluate your situation, answer every question, and create a care plan tailored to your needs so you can look to the future with comfort and confidence.

Your journey back to comfort starts here.