Wisdom Teeth Removal
When your wisdom teeth start to come in, it is a good idea to come see us immediately. Your wisdom teeth can appear anywhere from your teen to early adult years. They serve no overall function and often crowd and shift your teeth.
How important is it to remove wisdom teeth?
By the time the wisdom teeth come in, most people have all of their adult teeth. This causes crowding and spacing issues in your jaw. Additionally, your wisdom teeth often come in at odd angles. If these teeth become impacted, they can get stuck in the jawbone. This is painful and can lead to tooth and bone damage. The molars directly next to the wisdom teeth will be more prone to decay and infection. Removing wisdom teeth early on can help to save you from serious complications later on.
What should I expect during the procedure?
To ensure that the process is painless, we will use one or more methods of anesthesia so you feel no pain during the extraction itself. We will work to determine what type of anesthesia will be best for you.
If a wisdom tooth is impacted, we will need to remove some of the tissue that is covering it. We will do so by placing forceps gently around the tooth and rocking it gently back and forth to loosen it up. Ideally, the tooth will loosen and come out easily. In some situations, a difficult tooth may need to be removed in pieces.
Once the wisdom tooth is out, a blood clot will form as the bleeding slows down. We will also use gauze to help us minimize the bleeding.
How should I prepare for my extraction?
Prior to your appointment, be sure that you brush, floss, and use mouthwash. After you have your wisdom teeth removed, you may not be able to brush and floss for a few days while your mouth heals from the procedure.
Wisdom teeth surgery is an outpatient surgery, so you will be free to go home shortly after the extraction. You must have someone drive you to and from your appointment as you will not be able to drive safely after the anesthesia.
Be sure to follow the home care instructions that we provide you. There are some minor post-surgical complications to look out for, including dry socket and infection. In some cases, we may prescribe a round of antibiotics as a precaution.
The sooner your wisdom teeth are removed, the less likely you are to experience complications related to the teeth. If your wisdom teeth are coming in or you simply want to learn more about this procedure, contact us online or call us today at 614-870-3337.