Wisdom Teeth Removal in Clearwater, FL
Wisdom teeth removal in Clearwater, FL at Cannady Dental: Dr. Chris Cannady, DMD removes most impacted, infected, or crowding wisdom teeth right here in our office, with nitrous oxide or oral sedation to keep you comfortable and same-day visits when a wisdom tooth is causing pain. Written fee-for-service pricing before treatment; 5.0-star rating across 502 Google reviews.
Do Your Wisdom Teeth Need to Come Out?
Wisdom teeth — the third molars — usually arrive in the late teens or early twenties, and for many people there simply isn’t room for them. When a wisdom tooth is impacted (stuck in the bone or gum), partially erupted (poking through with a gum flap over it that traps food and gets infected again and again), causing pain, or pushing against the neighboring molar, removal is typically the healthiest choice.
Not every wisdom tooth needs to go. A third molar that has come in fully, bites properly, and can be brushed and flossed can simply be monitored at your regular checkups — that’s exactly what we do for our teen and young-adult patients at routine exams. The deciding factors are what the digital X-rays show about the tooth’s position and roots, and whether the tooth is already causing problems.
Signs it’s time for an evaluation: aching or pressure at the very back of the jaw, a swollen or tender gum over the last molar, a bad taste or odor from that area, difficulty opening wide, or pain that flares when you bite. If any of those describe you, call or text (727) 441-3523 — a quick exam and X-ray will tell you where you stand. This page is part of our complete tooth extractions service.
Removed In-House by a Dentist You Know
Most Cases Stay in Our Office
Dr. Cannady performs most wisdom tooth extractions — including many surgical extractions where the tooth hasn’t fully erupted — at 1651 Rainbow Dr in Clearwater. No second office, no new paperwork, no waiting weeks for a specialist’s opening.
3D Imaging When It Matters
Lower wisdom teeth can sit close to the nerve that runs through the jaw. When an X-ray suggests that, our 3D cone beam CT scanner maps the nerve pathway and root shape before anything is planned, so the extraction is precise and the plan is honest.
Honest Referrals for Complex Cases
Only the most complex impactions are referred to an oral surgeon. That call depends on impaction severity, proximity to the nerve, and your medical history — and you’ll hear it straight from Dr. Cannady at the exam, not after you’ve already committed to a plan.
Your Wisdom Tooth Removal Visit
Here’s how a wisdom tooth extraction works at Cannady Dental, from the first X-ray to the drive home.
Exam & Digital X-Rays
Dr. Cannady examines the area and takes digital X-rays (and a 3D scan when needed) to see the roots, bone, and nerve position. He explains whether the extraction is simple or surgical, reviews sedation options, and gives you a written quote.
Numbing & Sedation
The area is thoroughly numbed with local anesthesia. If you’ve chosen nitrous oxide, it takes effect within minutes and wears off quickly enough to drive yourself home; with oral conscious sedation, you take a prescribed pill beforehand and bring a driver.
Tooth Removal
A fully erupted wisdom tooth is loosened and lifted out in minutes. A tooth under the gum needs a small incision and is sometimes sectioned into pieces so it can be removed gently. You’ll feel pressure, not pain.
Gauze, Instructions & Follow-Up
Gauze controls bleeding while the clot forms. You leave with written aftercare instructions, and Dr. Cannady is available if anything concerns you during recovery.
Healing After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Recovery is usually straightforward. Plan on a few days of rest, soft foods, and ice packs for swelling; most patients are back to their normal routine within a week, and the extraction site typically heals within one to two weeks. Complete bone healing underneath takes several months, but you won’t notice that part.
The first 24 hours matter most: bite on gauze for 30–45 minutes to control bleeding, apply ice to reduce swelling, and avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, or straws so the protective clot stays put. For the next few days, stick to soft foods, take pain medication as directed, and keep the site clean with a gentle salt-water rinse. Skip smoking entirely — it delays healing and is the most common cause of dry socket.
Scheduling tip: many patients book wisdom tooth removal before a long weekend or school break so the first few quiet days don’t cost them work or class time. Tell us your timeline when you call and we’ll plan around it. In the meantime, our guide to toothache relief from your own pantry can take the edge off a sore wisdom tooth until your visit.
Nervous About the Procedure? Sedation Is Available
Many people put off wisdom teeth removal because of anxiety, not because of the tooth. We offer two sedation options: nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for mild to moderate anxiety, which wears off within minutes so you can drive yourself home, and oral conscious sedation for deeper relaxation — most patients remember little of the visit, and you’ll need someone to drive you.
We don’t offer general anesthesia or IV sedation in our office; those require a hospital or surgical setting. If your case truly calls for it, Dr. Cannady will tell you honestly and help you find the right place. For most wisdom teeth, oral sedation plus local anesthesia is more than enough.
Ask About Sedation
Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost in Clearwater
Cost depends on three things: whether each tooth needs a simple or surgical extraction, how many teeth are removed, and whether you choose sedation. Because Cannady Dental is a fee-for-service practice, you get a transparent written quote after the exam and X-rays and before anything is scheduled — no surprises. New patients can start with the $99 new patient special, which covers the comprehensive exam and full digital X-rays needed to plan the extraction.
You don’t need insurance to be seen. We file claims for all PPO plans, Cherry monthly payment plans spread larger treatment into predictable payments, and members of our Healthy Patient Membership Plan save 10% on treatment.
Wisdom Teeth Removal FAQs
What Clearwater patients ask us before having wisdom teeth removed.