Mar Vista is a community built around families, and for many of the neighborhood’s households, wisdom teeth removal is a rite of passage for a teenager or college student that parents spend months coordinating. Whether your child was referred by an orthodontist, flagged during a routine dental visit, or started experiencing pain that made the decision for you, Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center provides the board-certified surgical expertise and the in-office sedation capability to handle the procedure efficiently and safely. Our office at 12300 Wilshire Blvd #326, Los Angeles, CA 90025 is three to four miles from Mar Vista’s center via Barrington, Centinela, or Bundy, typically a 10 to 15 minute drive.
Our surgical team, Dr. Jonathan R. Shadi and Dr. Saman Vahedi, are both board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons who trained at UCLA and USC. Patients and parents who want a detailed, honest explanation of what the procedure involves and what recovery looks like before committing to anything will find that at our practice.
Third molars typically begin developing in the late teens and are fully formed by the mid-twenties. The modern jaw frequently lacks space for all four, leading to impaction. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends evaluation in the late teens, ideally before roots are fully developed and bone has become denser. Earlier removal leads to shorter procedures, faster recovery, and fewer complications, which is why the coordination effort tends to be well worth it when handled during a school break.
For Mar Vista families scheduling around a student’s academic calendar, the summer window is the most forgiving. Recovery from a standard four-tooth extraction is typically three to seven days, which fits comfortably within a break between semesters. Winter and spring breaks are shorter but workable for straightforward cases. We advise scheduling the consultation first so we can evaluate the imaging and give you an accurate recovery estimate before committing to a specific window.
Every wisdom tooth case begins with imaging. We use Cone Beam 3D imaging to evaluate each tooth’s position, root length and curvature, and proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve. This allows us to plan each extraction individually with precision and to discuss any elevated complexity factors clearly before the day of surgery. We provide a full explanation of what we find before anything is committed.
On surgery day, most patients choose IV sedation. The procedure itself typically takes under an hour for all four teeth. Patients wake with no memory of the surgery and begin recovery at home the same day. Our complete pre-operative instructions and pre-anesthesia guidelines are provided in advance, and our team stays available for follow-up questions throughout the recovery period. Visit our post-operative care page for full recovery guidance.
Impacted wisdom tooth removal is one of the most commonly covered procedures under PPO dental plans. We work with Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and other major carriers. Our front office team verifies your coverage before scheduling surgery and provides a clear cost estimate so there are no surprises on procedure day. For patients without insurance or with high out-of-pocket balances, we offer flexible financing through CareCredit, Alphaeon, and Cherry. Our insurance and financing page has full billing information for Mar Vista and Westside patients.
A panoramic X-ray is the most useful to bring. If your dentist took a panoramic in the last six to twelve months, we can often work from that at the consultation. If the imaging is older or unavailable, we can take in-house Cone Beam 3D imaging on-site, which gives us even more detailed information about tooth position and nerve proximity.
IV sedation is the most effective tool for anxious patients. Most sedated patients wake with no memory of the procedure and are surprised by how manageable the experience was. We also take time at the consultation to answer every question and explain what will happen step by step, which significantly reduces pre-procedure anxiety for both patients and parents.
Most PPO dental plans cover at least a portion of wisdom tooth removal, particularly when the teeth are impacted and the procedure is medically indicated. Coverage varies by plan. We contact your insurer before the procedure is scheduled to verify your specific benefits and provide you with an accurate cost estimate before anything is booked.
Impaction is determined through imaging, not symptoms alone. A tooth that has not erupted into its normal position in the mouth, or that is growing at an angle or blocked by bone, is classified as impacted. Your dentist or orthodontist may have already identified this on a panoramic X-ray. We confirm and characterize impaction using our in-house 3D imaging at the consultation.
If IV sedation is used, the patient cannot drive on the day of surgery and must be transported by an adult. Most patients can resume driving the following day when they are no longer taking any prescription pain medication that impairs alertness. We provide full guidance on when it is safe to drive at discharge.
Soft foods and liquids are recommended for the first 24 to 48 hours, such as yogurt, applesauce, broth, and smoothies. Avoid hot liquids, straws, and anything hard or crunchy for the first week. Our post-operative care instructions include a detailed diet guide for the full recovery period.
Mar Vista families looking for board-certified wisdom tooth care close to home will find Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center a short, simple drive. Our surgeons are trained at the highest levels, our team communicates clearly with both patients and parents, and our process is built to minimize surprise and disruption from start to finish.
Request your consultation online or reach us at our contact page. We serve patients from throughout West LA, including West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Westwood. View all the communities we serve on the Westside.
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