Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom tooth extraction is an extremely common dental procedure that almost everyone will have at some point in their lives. Wisdom teeth are more commonly known as third molars and begin to break through between the ages of 15 and 25. Since most peoples’ mouths are too small to hold four extra teeth, it is often necessary to extract the teeth as soon as they appear. There are fewer complications with the procedure if you have it done at an early age.

Unless your dentist informs you that your wisdom teeth will soon be coming in, it may be difficult to detect them. Common symptoms include pain, swelling and tenderness. If you believe your wisdom teeth are coming through it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible. Most dentists prefer to remove the teeth as soon as they surface, so that they do not turn into impacted teeth. Impacted teeth occur when there is not enough room in the mouth for them to grow. If the third molars become impacted, they could potentially destroy the second molars.

Reasons why it is important to have your wisdom teeth removed are that they are difficult to clean, you could develop gum diseases and cavities due to excessive plaque, they can put pressure on other teeth which could impact your tooth alignment, and the second molar could be damaged.

It is important to have an initial consultation with your dentist or dental surgeon before you have the procedure done. The dentist can give you a good indication of what will happen during the procedure and after it, and can answer any questions. They can also soothe any worries or fears you may have.

Before the wisdom tooth is extracted, your dentist will need to get access to it. Some teeth will be more difficult to remove than others. If the tooth is still underneath the gums, it may be necessary for them to make an incision in the gums in order to open it up. In some cases, the tooth will be divided into smaller pieces, as this can make it easier to remove.

At the beginning of the procedure your dentist will numb the area (with an anesthetic) so that you will not feel any pain. In some circumstances you could even be sedated, making you completely unconscious.

After the procedure is complete, your dentist will give you various medications to take to reduce the amount of pain. Healing time differs with each patient, but will generally take anywhere from 1-5 days. The easier it was for your dentist to remove the teeth, the shorter the healing process will take. You should expect some bruising and puffiness in the jaw area, as well as some bleeding from the gums. It may be necessary to avoid normal activity for the first couple of days. Since chewing will likely be difficult, stick to soft foods until the gums are healed.

For more information on wisdom tooth extraction, contact a dentist in your area.