Accessible and Stress-Free Wisdom Teeth Removal

Elizabeth Hulse of Allentown was reluctant to have her wisdom teeth removed. Oral surgery made her queasy, the prospect of swelling was stressful, and she didn’t want the procedure to affect her smile. But Hulse, now 22, can smile when she reflects on her experience with wisdom teeth removal at St. Luke’s Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS).

“I was pretty apprehensive to have that done, but the doctors really assured me, and the staff was wonderful, super kind and always welcoming,” Hulse said. “They calmed my nerves, which made the procedure pretty easy.”

Wisdom teeth removal is a common oral health procedure, particularly for teenagers, because fitting 32 into a mouth designed to hold 28 often doesn’t work. Erupted wisdom teeth can cause pain, misalignment, tooth decay, and further dental issues. No one wants that, but, as Hulse said, the procedure still causes anxiety.

Hulse experienced pain when her wisdom teeth began erupting, so her dentist referred her to St. Luke’s OMS for surgery. Dr. Daniel Lader performed the procedure, backed by a surgical team that alleviated Hulse’s concerns through the entire process.

Wisdom teeth removal requires a comprehensive oral examination, personalized surgical plan, and options for sedation. Hulse said that the St. Luke’s OMS team explained each step clearly, completely, and with empathy.

On the day of surgery, Dr. Lader reassured Hulse that the procedure itself would be quick and pain-free. When she woke up, Hulse felt minimal soreness and noticed nominal swelling. Two days later, she was back to normal.

“Dr. Lader was fantastic,” Hulse said. “I would recommend anybody who needs an extraction to see him. He’s a super-genuine guy and was so accommodating.”

Patients considering wisdom teeth removal have plenty of questions about the outpatient procedure. Will it cause pain or complications? Will it require sedation or local anesthesia? What is the recovery time?

Hulse asked all those questions, which the St. Luke’s OMS staff answered thoroughly. She looks back on the procedure positively, from the initial consultation to surgery to recovery. Best of all, Hulse said, no chipmunk cheeks due to swelling.

“They couldn’t have made it easier for me from start to finish,” Hulse said. “They were great with communication and overall morale, just making sure I felt good about it as well.”

For more information about wisdom teeth removal, and to schedule a consultation, visit the team at St. Luke’s OMS.