Wisdom Teeth Removal in Kansas City, MO
Trusted Guidance for Every Extraction Need
- Providing dental care to Kansas City families since 1994
- Compassionate, patient-first approach
- Full evaluations to determine next steps
- Reliable referrals for surgical care
“Extremely kind and courteous”
“I can't say enough good things about John Goodman and his staff. They were all extremely kind and courteous and made my experience very smooth.” — Adam, 5-star review
More Than a Referral Complete Pre and Post-Op care
Dr. Goodman’s role doesn’t stop at evaluation. With in-house support for common dental concerns and seamless coordination with specialists, we help you prepare, transition, and recover, all with trusted guidance.
Through routine exams, cleanings, and diagnostic X-rays, we monitor our patients' wisdom teeth over time. This helps us identify crowding, tooth decay, or impacted teeth before they become emergencies and allows for smarter planning.
Dr. Goodman can address inflammation or early-stage gum disease right here in our office. Proper periodontal treatment reduces the risk of infection and supports faster healing if you move forward with oral surgery.
Wisdom teeth can trigger other concerns, like cavities or sore molars. Dr. Goodman can handle many of these issues in-house, including fillings and treatment for decay, so you don’t have to coordinate multiple appointments for basic care.
If you do need an oral surgeon, we're here to help guide you toward a smart decision. Dr. Goodman works closely with trusted specialists in Kansas City and stays involved before and after your procedure to ensure continuity of care.
Making Wisdom Tooth Evaluations Affordable
You shouldn’t have to delay necessary care because of cost concerns. We work to make every step of wisdom tooth evaluation as accessible as possible, even if you’re ultimately referred out for oral surgery.
- Free Consultations: Get personalized insight with no upfront cost. Our free consultations let you explore next steps without financial pressure.
- Insurance Accepted: We work with most major insurance plans to help minimize or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses.
- Flexible Financing Available: We accept CareCredit® to make unexpected dental costs easier to manage — with affordable monthly payments and low-interest options.
Who Needs Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Some patients wait too long to address wisdom tooth issues which can lead to more complex problems. If you or your child experience any of the following, it’s time to schedule an evaluation:
- Jaw pain or stiffness near the back of the mouth
- Swelling, redness, or tenderness in the gums
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste that doesn’t go away
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully
- Crowding or shifting of nearby teeth
- Signs of infection near the back molars
- History of dry socket, decay, or repeat inflammation
Even if symptoms seem minor, it’s better to check early. Catching potential problems before they escalate can help avoid serious damage and may prevent future surgical complications.
Why Wisdom Tooth Removal Matters
Even if wisdom teeth aren’t causing pain yet, they can quietly create serious complications. Here are just a few benefits of removing them early, when recommended:
- Avoid Damage to Nearby Teeth: Wisdom teeth often grow in at an angle, pushing against molars and threatening the alignment of your other teeth.
- Prevent Gum Disease and Infection: Impacted or partially erupted teeth trap bacteria, increasing the risk of inflammation, gum disease, or painful infections.
- Reduce Risk of Tooth Decay: The hard-to-reach placement of wisdom teeth makes them tough to clean, creating a breeding ground for tooth decay.
- Prevent Cysts and Other Complications: In rare cases, untreated wisdom teeth can lead to fluid-filled sacs or cysts, which may damage bone or nerves if not caught in time.
- Prevent Future Discomfort: Removal can protect against crowding, headaches, or dry socket complications later, especially if there are early warning signs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisdom Teeth Removal
What are impacted wisdom teeth?
Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars that don’t have enough room to emerge properly. They may grow sideways or get stuck below the gum line, which can lead to pain, infection, or damage to nearby teeth.
Is it okay to wait on wisdom tooth removal?
Delaying removal can increase the risk of gum disease, infection, and misalignment of other teeth. Dr. Goodman can evaluate whether early wisdom tooth removal is necessary based on current symptoms and X-rays.
Can you eat after wisdom teeth removal?
Yes, but we recommend sticking to soft foods for a few days, like yogurt, smoothies, or mashed potatoes. This helps protect the blood clot that forms at the extraction site and reduces the risk of dry socket.
“I can't say enough good things”
“I can't say enough good things about Dr. Goodman and the team! They always make me feel welcomed and appreciated as a patient.” — Jaycee S., 5-star review
