Wisdom Teeth Removal & Oral Surgery for Upland, CA
Upland parents tend to ask us a different first question than most. Not "how much" — though we'll answer that below — but "what is the week after going to look like for my kid?" Fair question. Wisdom teeth removal is the first surgery most teenagers ever have, and the recovery is the part you actually live with.
So this page runs in the order you'll experience it: the evaluation, the surgery and sedation, the recovery, and then the cost and insurance. All of it under Dr. Sean Moghadam, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, at our Pomona office — straight down Foothill Boulevard from Upland, or a quick hop on the 10.
The Evaluation: Age 14 Is a Good First Look
We generally suggest a first wisdom teeth evaluation around age 14. That's not the age teeth come out — it's the age when a panoramic X-ray starts showing enough about how the third molars are forming and which direction they're headed. Some Upland Unified students get that first look at a routine cleaning and hear "nothing to do yet, check again in a year." Others have teeth already angled into the neighboring molar, and it's better to know that before the roots fully form.
At the consultation Dr. Moghadam reviews imaging for position, impaction, infection risk, and crowding, and tells you one of three things: remove now, remove later at a planned time, or leave them and monitor. He doesn't default to surgery because it's easier to schedule.
The Surgery: In-Office, Under the Sedation That Fits
Every case is performed by Dr. Moghadam himself. He graduated with honors from UCLA, completed a General Practice Residency at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, a surgical internship and clinical instructor role at The Ohio State University, and his Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. His scope runs from routine extractions through impacted wisdom teeth, implants, bone grafting, and jaw surgery.
Wisdom teeth removal is done in our office — there's no trip to a hospital surgical center. Sedation options are nitrous oxide, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. For four impacted teeth, IV sedation is the usual choice: the patient is asleep and doesn't remember it. For a single, straightforward tooth, local anesthetic alone may be enough. Dr. Moghadam matches the sedation to the procedure and the patient rather than upselling the heaviest option.
The Recovery: What the Week After Looks Like
This is the part families in Upland ask about most, so here's an honest picture of a typical recovery from four wisdom teeth under IV sedation:
- Day of surgery: groggy for a few hours from the sedation. A parent drives home. Gauze, rest, cold compress, soft food, no straws.
- Days 1–3: this is the peak for swelling and soreness. Prescribed or over-the-counter pain management, continued soft foods, gentle rinsing per instructions.
- Days 3–5: swelling starts coming down. Most teens are back to school and light activity in this window.
- Week 2: most patients are eating normally. Sports and heavy exertion usually resume around here, depending on the case.
Recovery is slower when teeth are deeply impacted, faster when they're erupted and simple. You'll get written post-op instructions specific to your child's procedure, and a direct line to the office for anything that doesn't seem right.
The Cost: Real Numbers, Not a Range
Self-pay pricing:
- $300 per wisdom tooth
- $1,200 flat fee for IV sedation or general anesthesia, no matter how many teeth are removed in the same visit
Four teeth under IV sedation is $2,400. Other extractions get a firm quote at the consultation. There's no separate, higher "cash rate" behind these numbers.
Insurance and Medi-Cal
We accept Medi-Cal Dental and PPO insurance plans. For IEHP Medi-Cal members, dental benefits are provided through Medi-Cal Dental. Our front office verifies your specific coverage for extractions and sedation before your visit so there's no surprise at checkout. If you're uninsured or the plan doesn't cover the procedure, the self-pay pricing above applies.
Financing
Zero-interest in-house financing is available for oral surgery — the same terms our orthodontic patients get, so a payment plan doesn't add cost to the treatment. CareCredit is accepted, and paying in full in cash earns a 5% discount that stacks with CareCredit.
Extractions Beyond Wisdom Teeth
We also handle extractions when a tooth can't be predictably restored, has failed a root canal, or needs to come out to make room for orthodontic treatment. If your child is already in braces with us or another orthodontist, coordination is straightforward.
Getting Here From Upland
From central Upland, head west on Foothill Boulevard through Claremont into Pomona, or take the 10 west to the Garey or Towne exit. The office is at 1532 San Bernardino Ave, Suite A1. We see oral surgery patients from Upland, Claremont, Montclair, Rancho Cucamonga, and San Antonio Heights.
Our pediatric dentistry and orthodontic teams are in the same building, so a family that comes in for a teenager's wisdom teeth can bring younger siblings for cleanings and braces without adding another office to the calendar.
Kids Dental Castle & Orthodontics
1532 San Bernardino Ave #A1
Pomona, CA 91767
909-741-7052
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days of school will my teen miss?
For a typical four-tooth removal under IV sedation, plan on the day of surgery plus two or three days. Many Upland families schedule for a Thursday or Friday, or a school break, so most of the recovery lands on non-school days.
When can my kid go back to sports?
Light activity usually resumes within about a week. Contact sports and heavy exertion typically wait around two weeks, depending on how the extraction sites are healing. Dr. Moghadam gives a specific timeline for your child's case.
How long does bleeding last after wisdom teeth removal?
Light oozing for the first day is normal. Bite firmly on gauze for 30 to 45 minutes after surgery and replace it if bleeding continues. If it is still steady after several hours of firm pressure, bite on a moistened black tea bag for 30 minutes, and call us if it doesn't slow.
Why age 14 for the first evaluation?
By around 14, a panoramic X-ray shows enough of the developing third molars to tell whether they're likely to erupt normally or become impacted. It's a checkpoint, not a surgery date — many kids evaluated at 14 don't have anything done for years.
What does it cost if we don't have insurance?
$300 per wisdom tooth, plus a flat $1,200 sedation fee if IV sedation or general anesthesia is used. Four teeth with sedation is $2,400, and a 5% discount applies if paid in full in cash.
Do you take Medi-Cal or IEHP?
Yes — Medi-Cal Dental and PPO plans are accepted. For IEHP Medi-Cal members, dental benefits are provided through Medi-Cal Dental. We check your specific coverage before your appointment.
What are the signs you need your wisdom teeth removed?
Pain or pressure at the back of the jaw, gums that swell or bleed around a partly erupted tooth, a bad taste that keeps coming back, food trapping, or decay on the molar in front. Many impacted teeth show no signs at all and are found on an X-ray, which is why we evaluate teens at 13 to 14.
Can wisdom teeth cause crowding?
The research doesn't show that wisdom teeth alone push front teeth out of line; teeth shift with age for several reasons. For teens who've had braces, wearing retainers matters far more. Wisdom teeth come out for their own problems (impaction, infection, decay), not to protect orthodontic results.
Can I drink coffee after wisdom teeth removal?
Lukewarm coffee is fine from the day after surgery. Skip hot drinks while you're numb and for the first 24 hours, and don't use a straw. Avoid alcohol while taking prescription pain medication.
