If you’re experiencing pain, pressure, or swelling in the back of your mouth, your wisdom teeth may be to blame. At Goodove Oral Surgery & Dental Implants in Virginia Beach, our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons — Dr. Scott Goodove and Dr. Peter Zagursky — evaluate and treat wisdom tooth concerns for patients throughout the Hampton Roads area, including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Whether your third molars are impacted, partially erupted, or simply causing crowding, our experienced surgical team provides safe, comfortable extraction using advanced imaging and full sedation capabilities.
The average adult mouth comfortably holds 28 teeth. When all four wisdom teeth attempt to erupt, the jaw is often too small to accommodate them — leading to impaction, crowding, infection, and a range of other complications. Removing problematic wisdom teeth early, before complications develop, typically results in less complex surgery and a faster recovery. Learn more about what to expect and schedule a consultation at our Virginia Beach or Chesapeake office.
Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal in Virginia Beach
Removing problematic wisdom teeth delivers benefits that extend well beyond immediate pain relief. When third molars cause crowding, they push neighboring teeth out of alignment — undoing years of orthodontic work and creating new bite problems. Extraction eliminates this pressure and preserves the positioning of your existing teeth.
Wisdom teeth located at the back of the mouth are especially prone to decay because they are difficult to clean effectively. According to Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, their inaccessible position makes them particularly vulnerable to cavities, and decay can spread to the adjacent second molar — putting two teeth at risk instead of one. Extraction removes this ongoing vulnerability.
For patients with impacted wisdom teeth, early removal also prevents the development of cysts or tumors that can form around a trapped tooth. These growths, while relatively rare, can damage the jawbone and surrounding structures if left untreated. Our comprehensive oral surgery services at Goodove Oral Surgery include thorough evaluation so you understand exactly what is happening with your wisdom teeth and what your best options are.
Signs Your Wisdom Teeth Need Attention
Wisdom tooth problems often develop gradually. Warning signs can be subtle at first and worsen over time if left untreated. Pain in the back of the mouth is the most common signal, though symptoms vary. Swelling around the jaw, difficulty opening your mouth fully, and tender gums near the back teeth are all indicators that warrant a professional evaluation.
Research published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that nearly 88% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth requiring professional attention. Because many patients do not experience severe pain until complications develop, regular monitoring by your dentist — combined with a specialist evaluation when symptoms arise — is the best approach.
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Impacted wisdom teeth occur when your third molars cannot fully emerge through the gum line due to insufficient space or improper positioning in the jaw. This condition affects a significant portion of the population and requires careful evaluation to determine the best approach. Our oral surgeons use cone beam CT imaging to assess the exact position and angulation of each tooth before recommending treatment.
The type of impaction directly influences treatment complexity and expected recovery time. Wisdom teeth can be impacted in four primary orientations:
A partially erupted wisdom tooth — one that has broken through the gum but not fully emerged — creates a flap of gum tissue where bacteria accumulate easily. This condition, called pericoronitis, can cause significant swelling and discomfort. Fully impacted teeth remain entirely beneath the gum line and may press against adjacent teeth roots, potentially causing resorption damage over time.
The Wisdom Tooth Removal Process at Goodove Oral Surgery
Your treatment journey at Goodove Oral Surgery follows a structured, patient-centered process. Our Virginia Beach and Chesapeake surgical team uses cone beam CT imaging to visualize the precise location of your tooth roots relative to adjacent nerves and structures before planning your extraction — ensuring the safest and most efficient approach for your specific anatomy.
When Bone Grafting May Be Necessary
Some wisdom tooth extractions — particularly those where significant bone surrounds an impacted tooth — can result in a notable void in the jaw. Bone grafting may be recommended to maintain jaw structure, support neighboring teeth, and preserve the option for future dental work in the area. Bone graft material placed at the extraction site stimulates natural bone regeneration over the following months. Our surgical team evaluates each case individually and will discuss whether grafting is indicated for your situation.
Your Comfort Options During Wisdom Tooth Removal
One of the most common concerns patients bring to our Virginia Beach office is anxiety about the procedure itself. At Goodove Oral Surgery, we offer four levels of anesthesia and sedation so we can match your comfort level to the complexity of your case. Our doctors hold hospital privileges at Virginia Beach Ambulatory Surgery Center and Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center — giving us full anesthesia capabilities for patients who need a more controlled environment.
Recovery After Wisdom Tooth Removal
Modern techniques and medications make wisdom tooth recovery significantly more manageable than patients expect. For most Virginia Beach patients, soft tissue healing occurs within three to five days, and the majority return to work or school within two to three days. Full bone healing in the extraction socket continues over several weeks.
A critical recovery precaution: avoid using straws, spitting forcefully, or smoking for the first 72 hours. These actions create negative pressure in the mouth that can dislodge the blood clot protecting the socket — leading to a painful condition called dry socket. If you experience worsening pain after day three, persistent bleeding, fever, or difficulty swallowing, contact our office right away. These may indicate complications requiring evaluation. Our team remains accessible after your procedure — when you call, you speak with our surgeons directly, not a call center.
Cost of Wisdom Tooth Removal in Virginia Beach
The cost of wisdom tooth removal at our Virginia Beach practice varies based on the number of teeth being extracted, the complexity of each impaction, and your chosen sedation method. Simple erupted extractions differ in cost from surgical removal of fully impacted teeth. We work to maximize your insurance benefits on all covered procedures.
Goodove Oral Surgery accepts a wide range of dental and medical insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Guardian, Humana, MetLife, and Delta Dental PPO. For patients without adequate coverage, we offer financing through CareCredit, which provides flexible monthly payment options. Visit our insurance and financing page for details on accepted plans. We believe cost should never be a barrier to treatment when wisdom teeth are causing active problems.
Why Choose Goodove Oral Surgery in Virginia Beach?
When Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads residents need wisdom tooth removal, Goodove Oral Surgery offers a distinct combination of surgical expertise, advanced technology, and the kind of personal care that only a locally owned, independent practice delivers. Dr. Scott Goodove and Dr. Peter Zagursky are both board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons — a specialty that requires four to six years of hospital-based surgical training after dental school. This training level matters for wisdom tooth extractions, particularly for complex impactions near the inferior alveolar nerve.
What sets us apart is accessibility and accountability. When you call with a question after your procedure, you reach our surgeons — not a triage line. Our highly trained surgical staff are all CPR certified, and our practice holds operating privileges at Virginia Beach Ambulatory Surgery Center, Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center for cases requiring a hospital-based setting. We proudly serve patients throughout Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Eastern Shore.
Contact our Virginia Beach or Chesapeake office to schedule your wisdom tooth consultation. Our team is ready to evaluate your situation, walk you through your options, and create a treatment plan that works for you.