Introduction
Introduction You’ve just been told you need your wisdom teeth out. You’ve done some quick research and found two very different options: a general dentist quoting $1,199 and an oral surgeon quoting $1,999. The prices don’t match, the titles don’t match, and you’re not sure which one is actually right for you. This is one of the most common questions patients in Las Vegas face before wisdom teeth surgery — and the answer matters more than the price tag alone.
What Is an Oral Surgeon?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) is not just a dentist with extra training. After
completing a four-year dental degree, an oral surgeon enters a four-to-six-year hospitalbased surgical residency — the same kind doctors complete. Many also earn a medical
degree (MD) alongside their dental degree (DDS or DMD). This gives them the medical
authority, clinical environment, and legal licensure to administer all forms of anesthesia,
including general anesthesia, the kind that renders you fully unconscious with zero
awareness and zero pain.
Dr. Jay Selznick is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon practicing in Las
Vegas with over 30 years of experience. His training was completed in a hospital setting
— not a dental chair — and his Las Vegas office is a state-certified surgical facility, not
a general dental practice.
What Is a General Dentist Doing When They Remove Wisdom Teeth?
A general dentist holds a DMD or DDS — a four-year dental degree with no mandatory
surgical residency. Many general dentists can perform simple, fully erupted wisdom
tooth extractions competently. Some can also administer IV sedation, which keeps you
relaxed and drowsy but not unconscious. The issue arises when your case isn’t simple.
Impacted wisdom teeth — teeth that are partially or fully trapped beneath the gumline —
require surgical training, bone removal, and the ability to manage complications. Most
general dentists are not equipped for these scenarios. Some will attempt them anyway.A general dentist holds a DMD or DDS — a four-year dental degree with no mandatory
surgical residency. Many general dentists can perform simple, fully erupted wisdom
tooth extractions competently. Some can also administer IV sedation, which keeps you
relaxed and drowsy but not unconscious. The issue arises when your case isn’t simple.
Impacted wisdom teeth — teeth that are partially or fully trapped beneath the gumline —
require surgical training, bone removal, and the ability to manage complications. Most
general dentists are not equipped for these scenarios. Some will attempt them anyway.
The Anesthesia Difference — This Is the Critical One
Patients often confuse IV sedation and general anesthesia. They are not the same thing. IV sedation: You are in a deeply relaxed, semi-conscious state. You may still feel pressure. You may still hear voices. Some patients have partial memories of the procedure. It requires a dental sedation permit, which many general dentists hold. General anesthesia: Your brain activity is pharmacologically reduced to a state of complete unconsciousness. You feel nothing, hear nothing, and remember nothing. You are breathing with assistance, and your vitals are monitored throughout. In Nevada, only a licensed oral surgeon operating in a state-certified surgical facility can legally administer general anesthesia for dental procedures. When you see the $1,199 price at a general dentist, that typically includes IV sedation — not general anesthesia. At many oral surgery practices, general anesthesia is billed separately and can add $500 to $900 to your total. At Selznick Oral Surgery, the $1,999 flat rate includes general anesthesia, the procedure, and all follow-up care. Nothing hidden.
When You Actually Need an Oral Surgeon
Not every wisdom tooth case requires an oral surgeon — but many do, and most
patients don’t realize this until they’re already on the dental chair. You need an oral
surgeon if your teeth are impacted (soft tissue impaction, partial bony impaction, or full
bony impaction), if your roots are curved or positioned near the inferior alveolar nerve, if
you have a medical condition that requires careful anesthesia management, or if you
simply want to be fully unconscious for the procedure. If a general dentist tells you your
wisdom teeth are simple and they aren’t — you may face incomplete removal, postsurgical infections, or nerve complications that cost far more to correct.
The Cost Reality in Las Vegas
Here is a realistic price comparison for wisdom teeth removal in the Las Vegas market
in 2026:
General dentist, all 4 teeth with IV sedation: $1,199 to $1,800. Oral surgeon, all 4 teeth
with general anesthesia at most practices: $1,800 to $2,500 plus a separate anesthesia
fee of $500 to $900. Oral surgeon at Selznick Oral Surgery: $1,999 flat, includes
general anesthesia, all four extractions, consultation, and aftercare.
The $800 difference you see on paper between the cheapest general dentist and a
board-certified oral surgeon often disappears entirely when you factor in what’s actually
included — and what’s not.
About Dr. Jay Selznick
Dr. Selznick is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with over 30 years of
practice in Nevada. Learn more about his training, background, and surgical philosophy
on the About page at jayselznick.com.
