01
Infection
A flap of gum over a partly erupted tooth traps bacteria. The result, called pericoronitis, can cause painful swelling in the jaw and face.
Most Common Problem
Impacted, infected or crowding your other teeth? We remove wisdom teeth right here in our Temecula office, plan each extraction on a 3D cone beam scan, and offer oral sedation if you'd like to be relaxed.
Oral sedation available · Most PPO insurance plans accepted
Wisdom teeth are the third molars that usually arrive between ages 17 and 25. Many jaws don't have room for them. When they come in crooked, stay trapped under the gum (impacted) or only partly break through, they can cause infection, decay in the molar next door, gum disease or cysts. If yours are healthy and easy to clean, they can often stay.
Taking them out earlier, while the roots are still short, usually means an easier procedure and a quicker recovery. Common signs it's time to have them checked:
A flap of gum over a partly erupted tooth traps bacteria. The result, called pericoronitis, can cause painful swelling in the jaw and face.
The molar in front of a wisdom tooth is hard to reach with a toothbrush, so it often gets cavities first.
Deep pockets form around the back teeth, where plaque builds up and gum infection can spread.
Less often, a fluid-filled sac forms around an impacted tooth and slowly damages the jawbone.
Not causing problems? We don't remove teeth that don't need to come out. Healthy wisdom teeth are monitored with X-rays at your regular visits.
From your first exam to your follow-up, here's how wisdom tooth removal works at Ethos.
We check each tooth's position and roots, and use a 3D cone beam scan to see how close the lower teeth sit to the nerve in your jaw.
You'll know which teeth need to come out, your comfort options and your expected cost before you schedule.
We numb the area completely. Oral conscious sedation is available if you'd like to be relaxed and drowsy through the visit.
You'll leave with gauze, written aftercare instructions and our number. If you had sedation, a friend or family member will need to drive you.
Most people feel noticeably better in three to four days. Soft foods, rest and ice help in the first 48 hours.
We check that the sockets are healing well and answer any questions.
| When | What's Normal | What Helps |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | Some oozing, numbness wearing off | Bite on gauze, rest, ice 20 minutes on and off, no straws or smoking |
| Days 2–3 | Swelling and soreness peak | Pain medicine as directed, soft cool foods, sleep with your head raised |
| Days 4–7 | Soreness eases each day | Gentle salt-water rinses, slowly add softer regular foods |
| Week 2 and on | Sockets keep filling in | Normal routine; keep the area clean |
Call us right away if pain gets worse after day three, you have a fever, or bleeding won't slow down with firm pressure on gauze.
Your cost depends on your teeth, so we give you a written estimate after your exam and X-rays, with your insurance applied, before anything is scheduled.
How many teeth come out, whether they're erupted or impacted in the bone, and whether you choose sedation.
Removing problem wisdom teeth is usually medically necessary, so many PPO plans cover part of it. We check your benefits for you.
Financing is available with approved credit, and the Ethos Care Plan saves patients without insurance on most treatment.
Same-day emergency visits · Exam & X-ray · Pain relief · A clear plan for next steps
Call (951) 699-0700Same-day availability varies. Ask our team for emergency exam offer details.
Our Genoray cone beam scanner shows the roots, the jaw nerve and the sinus before we begin.
Dr. Jeffrey Anderson completed an advanced oral surgery externship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Dr. Jeremy Sewell has advanced training in oral conscious sedation for patients who feel anxious.
Same-day emergency visits, plus early morning, evening and Saturday appointments.
Answers to what Temecula patients ask us most. Don't see yours? Call us at (951) 699-0700.
Book an AppointmentIt depends on how many teeth come out, whether they've broken through the gum or are impacted in the bone, and whether you choose sedation. After your exam and X-rays, we give you a written estimate, including what your insurance is expected to pay, before anything is scheduled.
Removing problem wisdom teeth is usually considered medically necessary, so many PPO plans cover part of the cost up to your annual maximum. We check your benefits before your appointment so you know your share ahead of time.
No. If your wisdom teeth have come in fully, sit in a healthy position and you can keep them clean, we'll simply keep an eye on them with X-rays at your regular checkups. We recommend removal when they're impacted, infected, decaying or causing damage to the teeth next to them.
Late teens to early twenties is often ideal because the roots haven't finished forming, which usually makes removal easier and healing faster. Adults of any age can have them removed when they cause problems.
We numb the area with local anesthesia, and we offer oral conscious sedation, which leaves you deeply relaxed and drowsy but still able to respond. It is not general anesthesia. If you choose sedation, you'll need someone to drive you home. If your case calls for general anesthesia, we'll talk with you about a referral.
Most people feel noticeably better within three to four days. Swelling usually peaks on day two or three, and the sockets continue healing over the next couple of weeks. Many patients take one to three days off work or school.
Stick to soft, cool or lukewarm foods for the first few days: yogurt, smoothies eaten with a spoon, applesauce, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs and soup that isn't hot. Avoid straws, crunchy foods and anything spicy until the sockets have started to heal.
Dry socket happens when the blood clot in the socket comes loose too early, causing throbbing pain a few days after surgery. Avoid straws, smoking and forceful spitting for the first several days. If pain gets worse instead of better after day three, call us. It's very treatable.
We see dental emergencies the same day whenever possible. Sometimes an infected tooth can come out at that visit; other times the infection needs to calm down with medication first. We'll relieve your pain and tell you the safest plan.
Yes. We regularly evaluate teens at their checkups and can remove wisdom teeth before they cause problems. A parent or guardian needs to sign consent for patients under 18.
We'll examine your wisdom teeth, show you your X-rays and explain whether they need to come out. In pain now? Call and ask for a same-day emergency visit.
Tap to call on mobile · New patients welcome
Good to Know
Recovery times vary by patient and by how many teeth are removed; the timelines on this page are general estimates, not guarantees. Oral conscious sedation is not general anesthesia. Emergency exam pricing and same-day availability are subject to change; ask our team for current details. Financing is subject to approved credit. The Ethos Care Plan is an in-house membership savings plan and is not dental insurance. Ethos Advanced Dental Care is an independently owned and operated dental practice serving Temecula, CA. (951) 699-0700