For students, faculty, and residents in Westwood, wisdom teeth removal is often a procedure planned around the academic calendar. Summer break, winter recess, and spring break all represent windows where recovery can happen without missing class or interfering with research and teaching schedules. Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center is located at 12300 Wilshire Blvd #326, Los Angeles, CA 90025, approximately two miles east of Westwood Village along Wilshire Boulevard. The drive is short and the route is familiar for anyone traveling east from campus or the surrounding neighborhoods.
Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons, Dr. Jonathan R. Shadi and Dr. Saman Vahedi, both trained at UCLA and USC. Dr. Shadi completed his undergraduate degree in neuroscience at UCLA before earning his DDS at USC School of Dentistry. For Westwood patients, that connection to the academic and institutional community matters. Learn more about our surgical team and their backgrounds before scheduling your consultation.
Third molars are frequently identified during routine dental checkups at the student health center or a general dentist during a break, and the recommendation to see an oral surgeon often follows quickly. The question for most Westwood and UCLA patients is not whether to remove wisdom teeth but when. The answer, according to clinical guidance from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, is generally sooner rather than later. Earlier removal correlates with shorter root development, less dense bone, faster recovery, and reduced risk of the complications that come with fully mature, deeply impacted teeth.
For students who are home for the summer or between quarters, the timing window is valuable. Recovery from a standard four-tooth extraction is typically three to seven days, which is workable within most academic breaks. Missing two to three days of class during the semester is significantly more disruptive than scheduling around a break. Our team is accustomed to working with student and faculty schedules and makes every effort to accommodate the calendar realities of a university community.
Every wisdom tooth case at our practice begins with a thorough evaluation using Cone Beam 3D imaging that reveals the precise position, angulation, and root anatomy of each tooth, as well as its relationship to the inferior alveolar nerve and other critical structures. For Westwood and UCLA patients who appreciate evidence-based care, this approach means surgical planning is grounded in precise data, not estimated on a two-dimensional film. We explain the imaging findings to you directly and discuss the specific factors that will shape your procedure before you commit to surgery.
We also provide our complete pre-operative guidelines and pre-anesthesia instructions well in advance so you arrive fully prepared. IV sedation is available for all wisdom tooth procedures and is administered by our board-certified surgeons.
UCLA students enrolled in the UC SHIP plan and faculty and staff covered through UC Benefits may have dental coverage that applies to wisdom tooth removal. PPO plans generally cover medically necessary extractions including impacted teeth. We verify your specific benefits before your procedure and provide a clear cost estimate in advance. For patients without insurance or with limited coverage, we offer flexible payment options through CareCredit, Alphaeon, and Cherry. Visit our insurance and financing page for more information.
We are approximately two miles east of UCLA’s main campus, accessible by heading east on Wilshire Boulevard or Sunset Boulevard. Our office is at 12300 Wilshire Blvd #326, Los Angeles, CA 90025, which is in the West Los Angeles corridor just east of Westwood.
Coverage under UC SHIP or any dental plan depends on the specific plan and procedure. We verify your benefits before your appointment and give you a clear picture of what is covered and what you can expect to pay out of pocket. Contact our office with your insurance card and we can check coverage prior to your consultation.
Most students feel ready to attend class within three to four days, assuming they are not in physical discomfort and can sit attentively for lecture or discussion. We recommend scheduling surgery so you have at least three full recovery days before any obligations resume. Strenuous physical activity, gym use, and sports should be avoided for the full first week.
Not necessarily, but the absence of pain does not mean absence of a developing problem. Many impacted wisdom teeth cause no symptoms until they do — often in the form of an acute infection or damage to adjacent teeth that could have been avoided. We evaluate each case on its own imaging and recommend a course of action based on what we see, not on what you are currently feeling.
Light screen use is generally fine after the first day, assuming your medication schedule and comfort level allow it. The first 24 hours post-surgery should be spent resting with your head elevated. Most students find they can manage light reading or remote coursework by day two or three, though extended focus periods may require short breaks due to residual soreness or medication effects.
Yes. IV sedation is available for all wisdom tooth procedures and is administered directly by our board-certified surgeons. Most patients who choose sedation have no memory of the procedure and recover comfortably at home. A responsible adult must drive you home and stay with you for the first few hours after your appointment.
Whether you are a UCLA student planning ahead for summer break, a faculty member working around a teaching schedule, or a Westwood resident dealing with symptoms that have finally prompted action, Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center is ready to help. We are minutes from campus, staffed by surgeons who trained at UCLA and USC, and committed to efficient, individualized care that respects your time and schedule.
Request your consultation online or reach us through our contact page. We serve patients from across the Westside, including West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Culver City. View all the communities we serve on the Westside.
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