Ohhh wisdom teeth... we have a love/hate relationship! I remember my teenage years (gosh they were SO long ago!) :( anywho... my dentist would always tell me that I should get my wisdom teeth out... and that they looked as if they're growing crooked and could later be "impacted"... he stressed the fact that the bone is much softer when you're a teenager and the older you get, the longer the recovery would be to have wisdom teeth removed. I would always bring home a referral to an oral surgeon, but Daddy would say "you're fine, your teeth are fine" and that would be that.
And then... I started getting headaches. Usually I get a headache every great once in a while... or when something is frustrating me or I'm super stressed out... damn you vasodilation! But the headaches kept coming... and coming... and my jaw started hurting, and hurting... and then I felt something protruding out of my gums (I know - YUCK!)... so I went to the dentist... and he told me my wisdom tooth (one) was impacted... AND infected (yay me!... NOT!).
So he gave me (another) referral to Dr. Cameron Lee. My mom went to Dr. Lee for her crown, and she absolutely LOVED him. She said he was very patient, kind, and gentle. I don't know ANYONE who LOVES the dentist (if you do... yer weird!)... but I HATE the thought of needles in my mouth, drilling, cutting, etc...
So I made my appointment. Let me prefix this by saying that I've seen Dr. Lee THREE times. Yes count em, THREE times. My first wisdom tooth (R lower) was impacted and infected. That's one. My second wisdom tooth I took out before I went to Vegas as a precaution (L lower). That's two. And my third wisdom tooth (R upper) was (again) impacted and infected. So me being a big baby and waiting to do em separately had THREE lovely visits over 2 years to Dr. Lee. (in case you're wondering... I opted to take out both upper wisdoms at the same time [woohoo for man-ing up!] but he stated that my L upper wisdom tooth was too far up to reach and there would be too many issues etc etc and to leave it alone [whew])...
Each time I went in, he did the same routine. Showed me my xrays, explained what was going on with my teeth, what he was going to do, how long it would take, what I would hear, and what to expect. He's truly a wonderful, kind, and gentle surgeon. Each time (three) I only had local anesthetic... no gas, no general, just a nice big shot (or two) of novocaine. I was awake to hear everything lovely (kidding) sound and every crack (eek) that my tooth made. Seriously... each tooth took less than 5 minutes to come out. Explaining everything to you and then getting the shot of novocaine and waiting for it to kick in takes the longest! He's absolutely fabulous!!
You get discharge instructions, gauze, and a "hook shaped squirter" to go home with... and you follow up with him in a week. He puts dissolvable stitches which is convenient.
The first TWO times I didn't have dental insurance... cost was a little over $500 with xrays. The third time I had dental so my co-pay was around $150. HEY... if your tooth is infected and you're in pain... it's worth the money!!!
He does oral, maxillofacial, and implant reconstructive surgery. Located in Newtown Square in Aiea. Parking is validated for an hour I think.
If you need an oral surgeon... GO TO DR. CAMERON LEE... he's the BEST!!! You won't regret it! read more