Wisdom teeth problems affect nearly everyone at some point—from pain and swelling to infection and crowding. At Dental Sedation Ottawa, we specialize in making wisdom teeth removal comfortable and stress-free using comprehensive sedation options. Whether you need one wisdom tooth removed or all four, you can receive the care you need without fear, anxiety, or pain.
Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last teeth to develop in your mouth. They typically try to emerge between ages 17 and 25—though some people's wisdom teeth never appear at all, while others experience problems well into their 30s or 40s. Most people have four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth behind the second molars.
The problem is simple: modern human jaws are often too small to accommodate these extra teeth. Our ancestors thousands of years ago had larger jaws and needed those extra molars to grind tough, raw foods. Today, our jaws have evolved to be smaller, but we still develop wisdom teeth. When there isn't enough room for them to emerge properly, they become "impacted"—trapped beneath the gums or only partially visible.
Impacted wisdom teeth create all sorts of problems. They can push against neighboring teeth causing crowding and pain. The partial opening where they're trying to emerge becomes a trap for food particles and bacteria, leading to painful infections called pericoronitis. Fluid-filled cysts can develop around impacted teeth, potentially damaging your jawbone. Even wisdom teeth that fully emerge can be so far back that you can't clean them properly, making them highly vulnerable to decay.
That's why dentists often recommend removing wisdom teeth before serious problems develop—ideally in your late teens or early twenties when the tooth roots aren't fully formed yet and healing happens faster.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a consultation today.
We know that anxiety about wisdom teeth removal is incredibly common. Many people have heard scary stories from friends or family. At our Ottawa dental clinic, we've designed our entire practice around one goal: making sure no patient experiences fear or unnecessary discomfort during wisdom teeth surgery.
Mild relaxation for patients with minimal anxiety and straightforward extractions. You stay awake and aware, breathing the gas through a comfortable nose mask. Effects wear off within minutes after removal.
Learn more about nitrous oxide →Medication taken about an hour before your appointment creates significant drowsiness and anxiety reduction. You'll be awake but deeply relaxed throughout the procedure, and most patients remember very little afterward. Great for moderate anxiety.
Explore oral sedation →Deeper sedation administered directly into your bloodstream provides profound relaxation while you remain technically conscious but unaware of what's happening. You'll have little to no memory of the procedure. Ideal for high anxiety, complex impactions, or removing all four wisdom teeth at once.
Discover IV sedation →Complete sleep with zero awareness or sensation, administered by board-certified medical anesthesiologists—Dr. Hesham Talab, MD MSc PhD FRCPC FASE and Dr. Asad Mirghassemi, MD MSc FRCPC. This is hospital-grade anesthesia delivered right in our clinic. Best for severe dental anxiety, highly complex surgical cases, or patients who simply prefer to be completely asleep.
Learn about general anesthesia →With IV sedation or general anesthesia, we can safely remove all four wisdom teeth during a single appointment. This means one surgery, one recovery period, less time off work or school, and less overall stress. Many patients prefer this efficient approach rather than going through the experience multiple times.
Questions about your options? We're here to help.
Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed. Some people's wisdom teeth emerge normally, line up properly, and cause no problems throughout life. However, most people experience at least some wisdom tooth issues that make removal the smartest choice.
Throbbing pain in the back of your mouth, especially when chewing. Swollen, tender gums around partially emerged teeth. Jaw pain or stiffness.
Pericoronitis—painful infection and inflammation around a partially erupted wisdom tooth. Red, swollen gums, bad taste, difficulty opening your mouth, and sometimes fever.
Your other teeth shifting position as wisdom teeth try to push through, potentially ruining previous orthodontic work.
Cavities developing in wisdom teeth or the teeth next to them because they're too far back to clean properly. Gum disease around wisdom teeth.
Fluid-filled sacs forming around impacted teeth, potentially damaging your jawbone and neighboring teeth.
Many wisdom tooth problems develop silently beneath your gums before causing obvious symptoms. That's why dentists take X-rays during routine checkups to monitor wisdom teeth position and development. X-rays can reveal impaction, teeth growing sideways, crowding problems, or early cyst formation—all reasons to consider removal before pain and infection start.
Your dentist may recommend removing wisdom teeth even if they're not currently causing problems, especially if X-rays show they're impacted or growing in problematic positions. Younger patients (late teens to early twenties) typically heal faster and experience fewer complications than older adults, making early removal often the most comfortable option.
Ready to take the next step? Our team is here for you.
Before your procedure, we conduct a comprehensive examination including panoramic X-rays or 3D imaging to see exactly where your wisdom teeth are positioned, how the roots are formed, and their relationship to nerves and sinuses. We discuss your medical history, anxiety level, and sedation preferences to create a personalized treatment plan. You'll receive detailed pre-operative instructions including fasting requirements if you're having IV sedation or general anesthesia.
On the day of your wisdom teeth removal, arrive with your designated driver (required for anything beyond nitrous oxide). Our team welcomes you into our modern surgical suite and ensures you're comfortable. We begin by administering your chosen sedation option—whether that's oral medication, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. Once you're relaxed or asleep, we completely numb the surgical areas so you feel absolutely no pain.
If the tooth has fully emerged, we can often extract it much like any other tooth—gently loosening it and removing it intact.
For impacted or partially erupted teeth, we make a small incision in your gum tissue to access the tooth. Sometimes we need to remove a small amount of bone covering the tooth. If the tooth is large or positioned awkwardly, we may section it into smaller pieces for easier, gentler removal.
For all four wisdom teeth, we work systematically through all four corners of your mouth. Dr. Koniouchine works efficiently—most patients are surprised how quickly the actual surgery goes. After removing each tooth, we thoroughly clean the socket, smooth any sharp bone edges, and place stitches if needed. Stitches typically dissolve on their own within 7-10 days. Throughout your entire procedure, our team continuously monitors your vital signs and comfort level. With IV sedation or general anesthesia, our board-certified anesthesiologists ensure hospital-grade safety from start to finish.
After surgery, you'll rest in our recovery area while the sedation effects begin to wear off. We ensure you're stable and comfortable before your driver takes you home. You'll receive detailed written post-operative instructions and prescriptions for pain medication and antibiotics if needed.
Time Required: Single wisdom tooth removal typically takes 30-45 minutes. All four wisdom teeth generally take 60-90 minutes depending on complexity and impaction level.
Have questions about the procedure?
The first few days after wisdom teeth removal are the most important for proper healing. Following post-operative instructions carefully minimizes discomfort and prevents complications like dry socket or infection.
Rest is essential—plan to take it easy. If you had IV sedation or general anesthesia, you'll need someone to drive you home and stay with you the first evening. Bite firmly on gauze pads for 30-60 minutes to stop bleeding. Some oozing is completely normal for 24 hours. Apply ice packs to your cheeks (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) to control swelling, which typically peaks on day 2 or 3. Eat only soft, cool foods: yogurt, smoothies, pudding, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soup (cooled to lukewarm). Drink plenty of water but avoid using straws—the suction can dislodge blood clots and cause painful dry socket. Don't smoke, vape, or drink alcohol for at least 72 hours. Take prescribed pain medication and antibiotics exactly as directed, starting before the numbness wears off.
Swelling and discomfort gradually improve each day, though day 2-3 is often the peak. You can apply warm compresses after the first 48 hours to ease jaw stiffness. Continue eating soft foods, gradually adding more texture as comfort allows. Gently rinse with warm salt water after meals (starting day 2) to keep extraction sites clean—don't swish vigorously. Most people return to work or school within 3-5 days depending on the extent of surgery and their personal healing rate.
The extraction sites fill in with new tissue. Any remaining discomfort should be minimal. You can typically resume normal eating, exercise, and activities by week 2. Complete bone healing takes 3-6 months, but you won't notice this happening.
Ready to take the next step? Our team is here for you.
Per tooth
Per tooth
Per tooth (bone removal)
Based on type selected
For all four wisdom teeth removed under IV sedation or general anesthesia, total costs typically range from $2,000-4,000 depending on impaction complexity—significantly less than many oral surgery specialists in Ottawa charge for comparable care.
Most dental insurance plans cover wisdom teeth removal at 50-80% when medically necessary (causing problems or likely to cause problems). We provide direct billing to major insurers and accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for eligible patients. Our team verifies your coverage and provides detailed written estimates before your procedure so you know exactly what to expect.
When you consider that wisdom teeth problems only get worse and more expensive to treat as you age, early removal represents a smart investment in your long-term oral health.
Our patients consistently rate us 5 stars for gentle, anxiety-free care. Read verified patient experiences on Google.
View All Reviews on GoogleDentist Referrals Welcome: We collaborate with referring dentists throughout Ottawa and Eastern Ontario for complex wisdom teeth cases requiring sedation expertise.
Learn About Our Referral ProgramDon't let anxiety keep you from addressing wisdom teeth problems. Our comprehensive sedation options ensure you'll experience no pain and likely remember nothing about your procedure. Schedule your consultation today.
