A panoramic X-ray shows exactly how your third molars are positioned before we recommend anything. Smile Center Dentistry assesses impaction type before recommending removal.
Not every wisdom tooth needs removal — we assess each one individually rather than pulling all four by default. We'd rather assess honestly than recommend a standard four-tooth removal regardless of your actual case.
A full panoramic X-ray shows root position, nerve proximity, and impaction type before we recommend removal. Nerve proximity especially matters for lower wisdom teeth, and imaging confirms it clearly.
From local anesthesia to oral or IV sedation, we discuss what fits your anxiety level and case complexity. We'll tell you honestly if your case would benefit from a higher sedation level.
A soft-tissue impaction is a very different procedure than a full bony impaction, and we explain the difference. This assessment shapes both the procedure plan and what recovery will realistically look like.
We give written aftercare covering diet, swelling, and warning signs to watch for. We'd rather set an accurate expectation than have you surprised by how you feel on day two.
We explain your specific case classification before recommending a removal plan.
A single panoramic image shows all four wisdom teeth, root position, and proximity to nerves. We review the image with you directly, pointing out what we're seeing.
These cases typically involve shorter procedure and recovery times than bony impactions. We explain why your case falls into this category if it does.
We coordinate closely with oral surgery resources for the most complex bony impaction cases. Recovery expectations are set honestly for these more involved cases.
We don't default to the most expensive option — we recommend what actually fits your situation. Pre-procedure instructions for sedation are given clearly in advance.
A follow-up check confirms healing is on track, especially for more complex bony impaction cases. We're reachable directly if recovery doesn't feel right.
We check monitored teeth at your regular recall visits rather than leaving them untracked. If circumstances change, we revisit the removal conversation honestly.
We ask about symptoms — pain, swelling, crowding — to prioritize scheduling appropriately.
We image all four wisdom teeth and classify impaction type for each one individually.
Simple cases may take under an hour; complex bony impactions take longer.
Written aftercare and a follow-up check ensure healing stays on track.
"Only needed two of the four removed — they explained the other two weren't causing problems instead of pulling all four by default."
"Went with oral sedation since I'm anxious about dental work. They walked me through what to expect beforehand."
"Follow-up call to check on healing a few days after — didn't expect that level of follow-through."
"They classified each tooth individually instead of treating it as one generic 'wisdom teeth out' procedure."
"They checked nerve proximity on the X-ray before recommending removal on my lower molar. Made me feel like they were actually being careful."
Not necessarily — we assess each tooth individually and only recommend removing the ones actually causing or likely to cause problems. Monitored teeth are checked at future visits rather than being ignored entirely.
Local anesthesia, oral sedation, and IV sedation are all options, chosen based on impaction complexity and your comfort level. We'll recommend a specific option based on your case, not upsell the most expensive one.
Soft-tissue impactions typically recover within a few days; full bony impactions can take a week or more. We schedule a follow-up to confirm healing is on track for your specific case.
Late teens to early twenties is common, since roots aren't fully formed yet, but we evaluate based on your X-ray, not just age. We'll tell you honestly if waiting is reasonable for your specific case.
We prioritize scheduling for patients reporting active pain or swelling. Bad breath or a persistent bad taste near the back of your mouth can also signal a problem.
Cost depends on impaction type and how many teeth are involved — we quote this after your panoramic X-ray. We verify insurance benefits before treatment so you know your out-of-pocket cost.
Our team serves Clovis and the surrounding zip codes with the same impaction-specific assessment at every visit. Whether it's one tooth or all four, our Clovis team handles assessment and most procedures in-house.
We'll tell you honestly which teeth actually need to come out.
Call +1-866-227-2801