Oral Surgery & Protection

The word surgery sounds scary, but honestly, most patients at Peninsula Dentistry say it was not nearly as bad as they expected. Dr. Tran uses local anesthesia to completely numb the treatment area, and we offer sedation options including nitrous oxide and IV sedation for patients who want an extra level of comfort. He has been performing wisdom tooth extractions right here in Huntington Beach for over 20 years, and his approach is gentle, efficient, and focused on getting you home feeling good. Many patients are surprised that the actual procedure takes only 30 to 60 minutes depending on the number of teeth. Afterward, we send you home with clear aftercare instructions and pain management guidance so your recovery is smooth. Most people manage any post-operative soreness comfortably with over-the-counter medication for just a few days.

For most wisdom tooth extractions at Peninsula Dentistry, you are looking at about two to three days of rest before you start feeling significantly better, and roughly a week until you are fully back to normal activities. Swelling and mild discomfort peak around days two to three and then steadily improve. Dr. Tran provides detailed aftercare instructions covering everything from ice pack schedules to the soft-food diet you should follow for the first week — think smoothies, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs. Most of our Huntington Beach patients, including high school and college students, are back at school or work within three to five days. We schedule a follow-up visit about a week after surgery to check your healing and make sure everything looks great. If you have any concerns before that appointment, our team is just a phone call away.

No referral is needed at Peninsula Dentistry — you can call us directly and schedule a consultation with Dr. Tran. If you are experiencing pain, swelling, or your regular dentist mentioned that your wisdom teeth need to come out, just give our Huntington Beach office a call at 714-374-8800. We will take digital X-rays, evaluate the situation thoroughly, and discuss your options the same day. Dr. Tran handles everything from straightforward extractions to more complex impacted wisdom teeth right here in our office, so you will not need to be sent somewhere else. Many patients find it convenient that their general dentist and their surgical provider are under one roof. We also welcome patients who have recently moved to the Huntington Beach area and need a new dental provider for their surgical needs.

Night and day — and Dr. Tran sees the consequences of inadequate guards every week at Peninsula Dentistry. A store-bought boil-and-bite guard is a generic shape that is bulky, uncomfortable, and does not distribute impact forces evenly. A custom guard is fabricated from an exact impression of your teeth using professional-grade materials, so it fits perfectly, stays securely in place, and provides superior protection for your teeth, jaw, and soft tissues. For the surfers, volleyball players, and athletes we see here in Huntington Beach, the difference in protection is significant — custom guards can prevent dental emergencies that cost $1,500 to $5,000 or more to repair. For nighttime grinders, a precision-fit nightguard prevents enamel wear, cracking, and TMJ pain. Most PPO dental plans cover custom nightguards for diagnosed bruxism.

Most PPO dental insurance plans cover a significant portion of wisdom tooth extractions, especially when they are medically necessary due to impaction, infection, or damage to adjacent teeth. Coverage typically ranges from 50 to 80 percent of the procedure cost depending on your specific plan. Custom mouthguards for diagnosed bruxism are also frequently covered as a preventive measure. At Peninsula Dentistry in Huntington Beach, our front desk team checks your specific benefits and walks you through the exact numbers before we schedule anything — you will know your estimated out-of-pocket cost upfront with no surprises. We accept Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, and most other major PPO plans. For any remaining balance, we offer CareCredit and Cherry financing options to break the cost into manageable monthly payments.