Was it wisdom teeth surgery Valley? I got all mine cut out at 16 or 17 I think, they weren't in yet but I had had braces previously and the way they were on the xray showed they would have grown in and pushed all my teeth together since I have a really small jaw. I was also prescribed percocet, it was helpful but I slept like almost non stop for a week. Didn't have a problem getting off them though, I think if you're monitoring what he takes he'll be alright