No mystery. Here's exactly how it works.
Most of the anxiety around oral surgery comes from not knowing what to expect. We fix that up front, with a written estimate before anything is scheduled, and a surgeon who walks you through every step in person.
- Written estimate before anything is scheduled
- Same surgeon from consultation through follow-up
- Direct access to Dr. Griffeth throughout recovery
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Step 01
Get a written estimate
Send your panoramic X-ray. We review it and respond with an itemized written quote, usually within one business day. No commitment required.
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Step 02
Meet Dr. Griffeth
Your consultation is with the surgeon himself—not a coordinator. You'll review your X-rays together, walk through the procedure, and choose your anesthesia.
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Step 03
Surgery day
Arrive, confirm your anesthesia, and let Dr. Griffeth do the rest. Most wisdom tooth procedures take under 90 minutes. You leave with written aftercare instructions.
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Step 04
Recovery & follow-up
Most patients feel significantly better by day 4–5. We schedule a follow-up at day 7 and stay available for questions—call us anytime.
The fastest way to get started is your panoramic X-ray. If your dentist has already taken one, request a copy and send it our way. We'll review it and come back to you with a written, itemized estimate. No appointment needed yet, and no obligation to schedule.
Don't have a pano yet? No problem. We can take one here at your consultation appointment. The cost is included in your consultation fee and applied toward your procedure.
Your estimate will clearly show the procedure cost, anesthesia fees, and what your insurance is expected to cover, so the out-of-pocket number you see is the number you'll actually pay. We verify your benefits before procedure day and apply them accurately. See financing and insurance options →
Three ways to get started
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Submit online
Use our estimate request form to upload your panoramic X-ray and describe your situation. We respond within one business day.
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Call us directly
Talk to a real person. We'll ask a few questions and get you set up with a consultation or estimate request, whichever makes more sense for your situation.
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Referred by your dentist
We work directly with referring dentists to get your records transferred. If your dentist sent you, just let us know when you call. We'll coordinate the rest.
Send us your pano
Upload your panoramic X-ray and we'll review it and respond with a written estimate, usually within one business day.
No pano yet? You can still call. We'll sort it out from there.
This is the appointment where you meet Dr. Griffeth, review your X-rays together, and decide how to move forward—on your timeline, not ours.
When you come in for your consultation, you're meeting with Dr. Griffeth directly—not a treatment coordinator who then passes information to a surgeon you've never met. He'll pull up your panoramic X-ray, walk through what he sees, and explain exactly what the procedure will involve for your specific case.
This is also when you'll choose your anesthesia. Most patients—especially teens—choose IV sedation, which means you'll be deeply relaxed with little to no memory of the procedure. Dr. Griffeth will walk through all the options and help you decide what's right based on your case and your comfort level.
If you've already received a written estimate, we'll confirm the numbers and answer any questions about cost, insurance, and financing. Nothing is scheduled until you're ready and the picture is completely clear.
Parents are always welcome—and for teen patients, we actively encourage it. Having a parent in the consultation makes the whole experience more comfortable and means everyone hears the same information at the same time.
What to bring
- Your panoramic X-ray (if you have one from your dentist)
- A list of current medications and dosages
- Your insurance card
- Any referral paperwork from your dentist
- A list of questions—no question is too small
What we'll cover
- Your X-rays and what they show
- Which teeth need to come out and why
- Anesthesia options and what each one feels like
- What to expect day-of and during recovery
- Final cost breakdown with insurance applied
- Scheduling—when you're ready
A little preparation makes surgery day much smoother. We'll send you detailed pre-op instructions when you schedule. Here's the overview.
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Nothing to eat or drink (if choosing IV sedation)
If you're having IV sedation, you must not eat or drink anything—including water—for at least six hours before your appointment. This is a safety requirement, not a suggestion. We'll confirm the exact cutoff time when we schedule you.
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Arrange a driver—this is non-negotiable
IV sedation means you cannot drive yourself home, and you cannot use a rideshare service alone. A trusted adult must drive you and stay until you're home safely. Plan this before your appointment day.
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Wear comfortable, loose clothing
Short sleeves make it easy to place an IV. Avoid anything tight around the neck or face. Leave jewelry and contact lenses at home.
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Set up your recovery space at home
Stock up before surgery day: soft foods (yogurt, smoothie ingredients, mashed potatoes, ice cream), ice packs, any filled prescriptions, and a comfortable place to rest with your head slightly elevated.
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Fill any prescriptions in advance
We'll send prescriptions to your pharmacy ahead of surgery day when possible. Pick them up the day before so they're ready when you get home. You don't want to make a pharmacy stop after sedation.
For parents of teen patients
- Plan to stay with your teen on surgery day—they will need you
- You'll be called back to the recovery area when they're ready to go home
- Have the soft-food pantry stocked before you leave for the appointment
- Block out 2–3 days—most teens need a parent nearby during initial recovery
- A school note is available on request—just let us know when you schedule
Days 1–2 are the hardest. Plan to be home with your teen and ready to help with ice packs, medications, and meals. By day 3–4, most kids are bored and feeling better—that's the goal.
From the moment you walk in to the moment you head home—here's what surgery day actually looks like.
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Arrival
Check-in and health review
A team member will confirm your health history, review your medications, and verify your anesthesia choice. If you're having IV sedation, we'll confirm your driver is present before we begin.
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Pre-op
Getting comfortable
You'll be brought to the treatment room and settled in. Dr. Griffeth will come in to say hello, answer any last-minute questions, and administer anesthesia. For IV sedation, you'll feel relaxed within moments—most patients remember nothing after this point.
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Procedure
The surgery itself
Dr. Griffeth performs the procedure with precision and care. Removing all four wisdom teeth typically takes between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on how they're positioned. For patients under IV sedation, this time passes instantly.
Dr. Griffeth monitors your anesthesia throughout—no handoff to an anesthesiologist.
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Recovery
Waking up and heading home
You'll rest in our recovery area until you're stable and comfortable. For IV sedation patients, this is usually 30–60 minutes. We'll bring your driver in when you're ready, go over aftercare instructions together, and make sure you have everything you need before you leave.
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Home
You're done—recovery begins
You'll leave with written aftercare instructions, filled or called-in prescriptions, and our direct contact information. Ice, rest, and soft foods are the priority. Day 1 is about getting settled—the hard part is already finished.
The procedure takes under two hours. The recovery takes a few days. Here's what that looks like, and how we stay involved.
Most patients are genuinely surprised by how manageable recovery is, especially when they know what to expect going in. Days 1 and 2 are the hardest. Swelling often peaks around day 3, then improves steadily. By day 4 or 5, most patients feel significantly better and are back to school or desk work.
Your recovery timeline
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Day 1
Rest and ice
Take your medications on schedule. Apply ice packs in 20-minute cycles. Stick to cold, soft foods. No straws—suction can dislodge the clot and cause dry socket.
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Days 2–3
Peak swelling
Swelling typically peaks here. Your face may look more swollen than yesterday. This is normal and expected. Keep icing, resting, and taking medications on schedule. It's about to start improving.
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Days 4–7
Turning the corner
Swelling decreases noticeably. Most patients return to school or a desk job. Soft solid foods are fine. Light activity is okay—nothing strenuous yet.
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Day ~7
Follow-up with Dr. Griffeth
We schedule a follow-up appointment around day seven to check healing, remove any sutures if needed, and answer questions. Most patients at this point feel close to normal. Full bone healing takes several months, but you won't notice it.
For a detailed breakdown of wisdom tooth recovery—including what to eat, what to watch for, and when to call us—see the recovery section on our wisdom teeth page →
Call us if you notice:
- Pain that gets worse after day 3, not better
- Fever above 101°F
- Excessive or uncontrolled bleeding
- Swelling spreading toward your neck or throat
- Numbness or tingling that isn't fading
When in doubt, call. We'd rather hear from you than have you wonder if something is wrong.
We're available throughout
- Written aftercare instructions go home with you
- Prescriptions called in or filled before you leave
- Our direct line is in your discharge paperwork
- Follow-up appointment at day 7
- Questions are always welcome—no issue too small
Ready to take the first step?
Dr. Rod Griffeth, DDS
Send your pano and he'll review it personally. Written estimates are usually ready within one business day. No commitment required to get a number.
Prefer to talk it through first?
Mon – Fri · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat – Sun · Closed
5682 S 3500 W, Suite 200
Roy, UT 84067