When to Have Wisdom Tooth Removal
Tooth extraction isn’t generally that complex of a procedure unless we’re talking about wisdom tooth removal. While normal and even surgical extractions can be standard practice, having your wisdom teeth taken …
In many cases, there is not enough room in the mouth for this third set of molars. They will push forward and put pressure on the other teeth or become impacted. This is a worst-case scenario because an impacted tooth will cause discomfort and create a small space that traps food.
Many wisdom teeth and back molars experience decay or become infected as a result. When this happens, we typically remove the wisdom tooth and restore the back molar. However, by this time, patients will experience unnecessary discomfort. Therefore, if the wisdom teeth are impacted, it can be better to have them extracted ahead of time.
If the patient needs a wisdom teeth extraction, then there are two ways the procedure can go. If the teeth come in straight, then we can pull them just like any tooth. If the teeth grow in impacted, then we will need to create a flap in the gum tissue so we can access the tooth. Sometimes, there is tissue and bone on top that will need to be cut away first.
Once complete, we will grasp the tooth and lift it out of the socket. If the tooth is particularly stubborn, we may need to cut it into smaller pieces and remove one piece at a time. Afterward, we will clean the area and suture the flap of gum tissue back in place. We will do all of this with the patient under anesthesia, so the patient does not experience any discomfort during the process.
Once we complete the procedure, patients can expect to be sore for a few days. Patients may also experience some swelling. Both can be controlled by taking ibuprofen and placing a cold compress on the face for 15 minutes at a time. Patients will also want to be careful with what they eat. We recommend sticking with soft foods like yogurt and oatmeal until the swelling has gone down and the gums and jaw are no longer sore. We will typically have patients come in for a follow-up appointment to ensure everything is healing properly.
At that time, we can let you know if you are clear to resume a normal diet. In general, the recovery process should not last any longer than a week and the worst of it only for a day or two. Plan on taking the first two days off of work if possible and then maintaining light activities for a week afterward (do not go out and play basketball, in other words).
Tooth extraction isn’t generally that complex of a procedure unless we’re talking about wisdom tooth removal. While normal and even surgical extractions can be standard practice, having your wisdom teeth taken …
Wisdom tooth extraction is one way of maintaining optimal dental health. Many dentists are now recommending the removal of wisdom teeth. These teeth are the third set of molars. They are the …
Wisdom tooth removal involves a surgical procedure to remove one or more of your wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth, commonly referred to as third molars, often grow between the ages of 17 and 25. There are …
Learning more about wisdom tooth removal for your teenager is a good idea. This third set of molars often grows in during one’s teen years or early twenties. While this extra set of molars do …
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