Dental examination
Dr. Lee evaluates eruption, gum condition, decay, swelling, tenderness, and effects on nearby teeth.
Wisdom tooth removal in Seattle
Wisdom teeth are evaluated according to their position, eruption, symptoms, surrounding tissues, and relationship to nearby teeth and anatomy.
Dr. Jaime Lee removes wisdom teeth that have fully come in or are partly covered by bone. Teeth that are completely encased in the jawbone are referred to an oral surgeon.
Third-molar evaluation
Why might a wisdom tooth need removal?
Dr. Lee recommends removal when a wisdom tooth contributes to recurrent inflammation, decay, structural damage to a neighboring tooth, or active infection.
The presence of a wisdom tooth alone does not define the treatment; position, symptoms, disease, and surgical complexity guide the decision.
- Evaluate eruption and position
- Assess nearby teeth and bone
- Identify active disease or recurrent inflammation
- Coordinate oral-surgery referral when complexity requires it
How does Dr. Lee check wisdom teeth?
Diagnostic imaging
Imaging is used to assess root shape, bone, tooth angle, and the relationship to nearby anatomical structures.
Removal or referral
Dr. Lee classifies each case by its exact surgical complexity, decisively separating routine in-office extractions from impactions requiring specialized oral-surgery intervention.
How do I know if a wisdom tooth needs to come out?
- Define the problem. Dr. Lee evaluates symptoms, eruption, surrounding gum tissue, decay, and the neighboring teeth.
- Analyze the anatomy. Diagnostic imaging shows root development, tooth position, bone, and nearby structures.
- Assess surgical complexity. The findings determine whether the tooth should be monitored, removed, or referred to an oral surgeon.
- Coordinate follow-up. After removal or specialist care, healing is evaluated according to the procedure and symptoms.
Who should have wisdom teeth evaluated?
Evaluation is appropriate for patients with pain, swelling, recurrent gum inflammation, decay, food trapping, or a dentist-identified concern involving a third molar.
Patients with asymptomatic wisdom teeth may still be evaluated when imaging or findings raise a specific concern, but treatment should not be justified by age alone.
When should I see a dentist about wisdom tooth pain?
Schedule an evaluation promptly if you have persistent pain, swelling, difficulty opening your mouth, drainage, or worsening symptoms around a wisdom tooth.
Dr. Lee actively monitors stable third molars during routine clinical evaluations, intervening surgically only when she identifies active disease or structural risk.
What affects the cost of wisdom-tooth removal?
Cost depends on the number of teeth, eruption and impaction, root anatomy, imaging, sedation needs, surgical complexity, specialist involvement, and insurance benefits.
PPO insurance
Smile Art accepts all PPO insurance.
Contact the office with your plan details to ask about coverage and network participation.
Coverage depends on the number of teeth, surgical complexity, sedation, specialist involvement, and individual plan.
Third-party financing
Available through:
- CareCredit
- Cherry
- LendingClub
Financing is subject to the provider’s approval and terms.
Who provides your care at Smile Art?
Dr. Jaime Lee evaluates wisdom teeth, diagnostic imaging, and surgical complexity and coordinates oral-surgery care when the anatomy or procedure is better managed by a specialist.
Frequently asked questions
Does every wisdom tooth need to be removed?
No. Treatment follows symptoms, disease, position, neighboring structures, and surgical risk rather than the presence of the tooth alone.
What is an impacted wisdom tooth?
An impacted wisdom tooth is a third molar that cannot erupt into a normal position because bone, another tooth, or surrounding anatomy blocks its path.
How does Dr. Lee decide whether to refer to an oral surgeon?
Dr. Lee removes wisdom teeth that have fully come in or are only partly covered by bone. When a tooth is completely encased in the jawbone, she refers you to an oral surgeon and explains why.
Can a wisdom tooth be monitored instead of removed?
Yes, when the tooth is stable and no active problem requires treatment.
When is an oral-surgery referral appropriate?
An oral surgeon may be needed for an impacted tooth, complex roots, medical concerns, or deeper sedation. Dr. Lee can review the images and explain why a referral is appropriate.
Does insurance cover wisdom-tooth removal?
Coverage depends on the PPO plan, procedure complexity, provider, and sedation services.
Where is our Seattle dental office?
Smile Art is at 901 Boren Ave, Suite 1030, Seattle, WA 98104. We welcome new patients from Seattle and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Smile Art by Dr. Jaime Lee901 Boren Ave, Suite 1030
Seattle, WA 98104
Seattle, WA 98104
HoursMonday–Thursday, 8:00am–4:00pm
Phone(206) 325-7200
The Cabrini Medical Tower garage entrance is at 1010 Marion St. The building entrance is on Boren Ave; Dr. Lee is in Suite 1030. Parking for a Smile Art visit does not require validation. Directions to the garage. Check posted rates when you park.