Wisdom Teeth Removal in Cedar Rapids, IA
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, develop in the back of the mouth typically between the ages of 17 and 21. Some people develop all four wisdom teeth, while others develop less than four or none at all. Many adults who do develop these teeth typically do not have enough room in their mouth for an extra set of molars, which is why dentists and oral surgeons recommend having wisdom teeth extracted.
Dr. Nick Morio, Dr. William Morio, and Dr. Mitch Frerichs regularly extract wisdom teeth at our office in Hiawatha, which is only 10 minutes north of Cedar Rapids. We use advanced imaging technology and offer many anesthesia options to ensure a safe and comfortable surgical experience. If you live in Cedar Rapids or Linn County and need wisdom teeth removed,contact our practice today to schedule a consultation with our talented oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth can cause many problems because they lack sufficient room to erupt into the dental arch. As they try to erupt, they can grow at various angles, sometimes even horizontally, which threatens the health of adjacent teeth and the jaw bone. If wisdom teeth are left untreated, they may push other teeth out of alignment, resulting in bite problems or crooked teeth. Wisdom teeth may also cause jaw pain or swelling, cysts or tumors, damage to other teeth and their roots, gum disease, or tooth decay. By having wisdom teeth extracted, you prevent these issues from occurring and contribute to your long-term oral health.
When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
We recommend having wisdom teeth removed as soon as they develop because their roots are not yet fully formed. Therefore, the procedure is often easier. Younger patients also tend to recover much faster. However, if your wisdom teeth have fully developed, you can still undergo wisdom tooth removal. Our oral surgery experts can remove wisdom teeth at any age; however, the sooner they are removed, the sooner you can prevent many oral health conditions from having the chance to arise.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removal in Cedar Rapids
An impacted wisdom tooth is one that is trapped beneath the gum tissue. Impacted wisdom teeth will not erupt on their own and must be surgically removed. Partially erupted wisdom teeth can easily trap bacteria, increasing the risk of infection. Cysts and tumors may form around these teeth as a result of infection, as well as gum disease or chronic bad breath. Our oral surgeons safely extract impacted wisdom teeth and ensure your comfort during the procedure by offering anesthesia and sedation options.
Wisdom Teeth Procedure
Many patients undergo IV sedation for this procedure, although there are other anesthetic options available, including local anesthesia, laughing gas, and general anesthesia. If you are undergoing IV sedation, you must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after your procedure. We will take 3D scans of your mouth during the consultation to assess the size and position of the wisdom teeth, then create your custom treatment plan to extract them.
On the day of your wisdom tooth surgery, we will administer the selected form of anesthesia and begin the procedure. Your surgeon will extract any erupted wisdom teeth using forceps. Wisdom teeth that are large or impacted may be broken into smaller pieces for easier removal. After the molars are removed, we will place sutures as necessary, and you will rest in our office until the sedation wears off.
We will provide you with post-operative instructions to guide you through your recovery. Follow these instructions closely to keep your surgical sites clean and prevent dry socket, which is a painful condition that occurs when the forming blood clot within the socket is dislodged. Some discomfort and swelling can be expected, but you can manage most post-surgical pain with over-the-counter pain medication. If you have questions during your recovery, contact our office and a member of our staff will be happy to assist you.
Types of Anesthesia
Several methods of anesthesia are available at our practice:
Where Can I Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Dr. Nick Morio, Dr. Will Morio, and Dr. Mitch Frerichs offer wisdom teeth removal for patients in Cedar Rapids and other surrounding areas. By having wisdom teeth extracted now, you can protect your oral health for the future. Our office is located in Hiawatha, Iowa, and is only 10 minutes north of downtown Cedar Rapids. If you live in Cedar Rapids and you or your child need wisdom teeth removed, contact our oral and maxillofacial surgery experts at Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa today.
Wisdom Teeth Removal: Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t get my wisdom teeth removed as a teen or young adult?
If wisdom teeth are not removed early in their development, their roots grow longer and they become more firmly embedded in the jaw. This makes surgical extraction more complex, which may lead to a longer recovery time. Wisdom teeth may not cause problems right away, and by the time they cause noticeable symptoms, damage to nearby teeth and bone may have already occurred. Generally, patients who have these molars extracted as a teen or young adult have fewer complications and faster recoveries.
How many days off work/school should I take for wisdom teeth removal?
Your recovery time will depend on how many wisdom teeth you have removed and your body’s natural healing process. Many patients return to work or school within a day or two following this procedure, although some may require longer. Give your body time to heal and if you need extra days to rest, be sure to take them.
How long do I wait before working out after wisdom teeth removal?
Unless your oral surgeon instructs you otherwise, avoid vigorous physical activity for 3 days following your procedure. Going to the gym or playing sports too soon can increase your swelling, pain, and bleeding.
How long until I can eat normal food after wisdom teeth removal?
Stick to soft foods for the first week after your procedure and ramp up your diet as tolerated. You should avoid hard, crunchy, or very chewy foods for 2 weeks, such as pizza crust, steak, popcorn, or jerky.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Wisdom Teeth Removal and other procedures.
"Hi, my name is Avery and I'm from Robins, and I came to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get my wisdom teeth removed. Coming into this practice, I was greeted with a smile. Everybody here was really sweet and caring, and they took all the extra steps to make me feel right at home. The doctor made me feel very comfortable and happy. He's such a good person. It was a successful procedure and the recovery went just as expected. I am thrilled that I chose this practice to get my wisdom teeth removed. If you live in Iowa City and need your wisdom teeth removed, I highly recommend the team here."
"I'm Brooke, and I live in Lisbon, Iowa, and I got my wisdom teeth extracted by Dr. Morio. The surgery went super fast and well, and everything just went nice and smooth. The staff absolutely was amazing and did everything to make me feel at home and comfortable, and I felt safe as soon as I walked in the door. Dr. Morio is an amazing doctor. Everything was quick, easy, and painless, and I just felt super comfortable the entire time. I would give Dr. Morio five out of five stars. For my friends in Iowa City and Hiawatha, I highly recommend Dr. Morio."
"Hi, my name is Ella and I’m from Iowa City, and I came to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get my wisdom teeth removed. When I walked through the doors here, I felt really invited. Everybody greeted me with a smile and I felt really at home. The doctor here was really friendly. He was with me every step of the way. The staff here were really bubbly, and they always had smiles on their faces. I truly had an amazing experience, and it’s all thanks to Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa. They did an amazing job, and they’ll do an amazing job with you too."
"Hi, my name is Kaden and I'm from Marion, and I came to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get my wisdom teeth removed. Everybody here was very warm and welcoming. The doctor was very straightforward, but still very nice. He really knew what he was doing, and I knew that I was in good hands with him. The procedure was very successful, and I was up and running in no time. To my friends and family in Marion that need their wisdom teeth removed, I strongly recommend the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa."
"I'm Karsyn from Manchester, Iowa, and I had my wisdom teeth removed. My surgery went very fast. It felt like I took a 10-minute nap, and I was up again. The staff here is amazing. They're really nice, and they get to know you before everything happens, so you're comfortable here. Dr. Morio is one of the best doctors I've ever had. He talked to me about what was going to happen, and it just happened so smoothly, and I've never had a doctor like that before. I had an amazing experience here, and I definitely recommend Dr. Morio."
"My name is Kyleigh, I’m from Ryan, Iowa, and I had my wisdom teeth extracted. I was nervous before the surgery that I had here. It was my first surgery that I’ve ever had, and everyone here made me feel super comfortable. Dr. Morio is a great guy, and he made me feel extremely comfortable. Everything now is great. I’ve had zero issues since my surgery. My experience here was wonderful. My brother also just had a great experience here a couple weeks ago. I would definitely give this practice five stars."
"Hi, my name is Lauren, I'm from Marion, and I came to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get my wisdom teeth removed. The staff here were super polite and professional. They made me feel really welcome. I knew I was in good hands. The doctor here was remarkable. He went over the surgery with me and made me feel really secure about what was going on. It was a successful procedure, and the recovery went as expected. I'm so glad I chose this practice to get my wisdom teeth removed. To my friends and family in Marion, I highly recommend the team here."
"Hi, my name is Michael and I'm from Hiawatha, and I came to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get my wisdom teeth out. When I first walked into this practice, I felt super comfortable. The doctor did an amazing job. He made me feel like I was in exceptional hands here. The procedure was super successful, and the recovery went very well. By the next day, I was up and running in no time. To all my friends and family in Hiawatha and Waterloo, I definitely recommend getting a procedure done here."
"My name is Owen and I am from Delhi and I came to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get my wisdom teeth removed. The staff here were very friendly and they gave me a smile as soon as I walked through the door. The doctor made me feel very confident that he was going to do an amazing job. The procedure was very successful and my recovery went great. The recovery was so quick and easy. I was back at football practice in no time. I am extremely happy that I chose this practice to get my wisdom teeth removed. To my friends in Cedar Rapids that need their wisdom teeth removed, I highly recommend the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa. They’re the real deal and you’ll be so happy you came here."
Pre-Prosthetic Surgery in Hiawatha, IA
If your dentures are uncomfortable or ill-fitting, or you are due to receive dentures and have been recommended for pre-prosthetic surgery, please give Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa a call. Our oral surgeons will be pleased to meet with you to discuss your case during a consultation. If you are investigating other options, such as dental implants or other tooth replacement options, we are happy to discuss these options with you as well at that time.