Wisdom tooth removal and why you may need to have yours removed someday
Wisdom teeth (also known as third molars) are the last teeth to develop in your jaws. Sometimes, there is not enough space for them to erupt into the correct position like the other teeth in your mouth. Sometimes, they erupt in the wrong direction and place. This leads to them being impacted. Impacted teeth can cause soft and hard tissue problems. Pain and swelling are the common complaints. They can also cause other oral health issues like infections or cysts and bone loss that require surgical removal. Here’s what you need to know about wisdom tooth removal and why you may need to have yours removed someday too.
The first step in treating impacted wisdom teeth is getting an evaluation by a dentist or oral surgeon.
Treatment Options
A thorough examination and x-rays will be needed to assess whether your wisdom tooth/teeth need to be removed. The dentist will also discuss treatment options with you, which may include having nothing done, have a partial removal of one or more teeth, or remove all four wisdom teeth at once. It’s important that you know about your options before moving forward with any treatment for impacted wisdom teeth.
How we remove wisdom teeth
Before removing wisdom teeth, your mouth is numbed with a local anesthetic. This means you won’t feel any pain. Once numb, our dentist will work on removing your wisdom tooth.
What Can I Expect from My Surgery?
Having impacted wisdom tooth removed is a common procedure performed by dental surgeons. If you’re in need of tooth extraction, you might have questions about what to expect from your surgery. Here’s what you can expect before, during and after your wisdom teeth removal procedure.
What Happens Before Surgery: As with any surgical procedure, it’s important to understand what will happen before going under anaesthesia for surgery. Moreover, when a surgical extraction is used, there are several pre-surgery preparations including x-rays, that must be made before anything else is done.
A medical history and physical exam: Your dentist will conduct a thorough medical history and physical exam when determining whether your impacted wisdom teeth should be removed or not.
FAQ About Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removal
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are also called third molars, and they form in your jaws during late adolescence. Also, they generally appear in either late teens or early twenties, but it can happen any time until your mid-twenties.
What are the common issues with wisdom teeth?
The wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge in your mouth, and there is usually not enough room in the jaw for them to emerge into the proper position like the other teeth. Also, their position can vary. In some cases, teeth may not fully erupt because they are impacted against another tooth or partially covered by the gums. This varied position, impaction, partial emergence and other causes can create issues. They may go unnoticed.
What is wisdom teeth removal?
Wisdom teeth removal refers to a procedure which aims to remove impacted wisdom teeth from your mouth. The procedure is typically performed by a dentist or oral surgeon.
Who needs their wisdom teeth removed?
The most common reason you have been referred is because of problems like swelling, pain, or infection of the gums covering the wisdom tooth, also known as pericoronitis. Additionally, the wisdom tooth may have decayed. It is also possible that food is not being cleared around the wisdom teeth.
Do wisdom teeth removals cause pain or swelling?
It is likely that you will experience some discomfort and swelling after surgery, both inside and outside of your mouth. Additionally, your jaw may be stiff and may not fully open. For a week or so, you’ll have to eat a soft diet. Very rarely, one might have prolonged numbness.
After the extractions, is there anything else I need to do?
You should keep the extraction sites as clean as possible for the first few weeks after surgery. If you find it difficult to clean around the sites of the extraction because the area is sore, begin gently rinsing the area with warm salt water or mouthwash the day after surgery.
Should I take any time off work?
You should take a few days off work during this time, and try to avoid strenuous exercise. Depending on the type of anaesthetic used, you might not be able to drive immediately.
Brite Dental Group: your Dentist in Browns Plains
Contact us for Wisdom Tooth Removal. Our emphasis is always to provide gentle, dental care. We are a family oriented general dental practice, and our primary focus is on preventing disease and providing happy smiles. We are conveniently located between the Cheesecake shop and L.J Hooker in Browns Plains.