Wisdom Teeth Removal in Anchorage, AK

Did you know that most people today do not have room in their mouth for their third molars? This can cause issues not only with the wisdom teeth themselves, but also with the teeth in front of them and the surrounding gums.

Having wisdom teeth removed is a common dental surgery to take out the third molars. It is often recommended in the late teens or early twenties to prevent complications such as pain, impaction, crowding, or infection that are more likely to occur later in life.

Dr. Harr has completed tens of thousands of wisdom teeth removals while the patient rests comfortably under IV sedation. IV sedation not only helps you stay relaxed and unaware of the procedure, it also assists in reducing inflammation afterward, which can contribute to a more comfortable recovery. See our Sedation Dentistry page for more sedation options.

Why Most People Need Them Out

Third molars are the last teeth to develop, usually in the late teens or early twenties, and by then there is often nowhere left for them to go. When a tooth cannot erupt fully it becomes impacted, pressing against the tooth in front of it, trapping bacteria under a flap of gum tissue, or sitting sideways in the bone. That leads to decay, gum infection, crowding, and in some cases cysts. Removing them before roots are fully formed generally means an easier procedure and a smoother recovery.

How We Evaluate Them

A panoramic x-ray lets us see the third molars, their root development, and their position relative to the nerve. For more complex cases our cone beam scanner produces a three-dimensional view so we can see exactly where the roots sit before surgery rather than during it. Come in for a consultation with Dr. Harr and discuss options for your wisdom teeth.

Comfort During the Procedure

Dr. Harr has completed tens of thousands of wisdom teeth removals, and this is done in our own office rather than referred out. Most patients choose some form of sedation, from nitrous through IV, and with oral or IV sedation the majority remember very little of the appointment. We go through the options and your medical history at the consultation.

Recovery and Aftercare

You will go home with written instructions and someone to drive you if you were sedated. Swelling and soreness peak in the first couple of days and ease from there. The main things that matter are protecting the clot in the socket, sticking to soft foods at first, and keeping the area clean the way we show you. We will tell you what to watch for and when to call. If something flares up after hours, our emergency page covers what to do.