What are wisdom teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are so named because they’re the last teeth to come in, usually between the ages of 17 and 25, when you’re “wiser.” These third molars don’t play any critical role in your overall oral health, but they can wreak havoc when they don’t come in properly.
Why would I need my wisdom teeth extracted?
Your wisdom teeth can be problematic for several reasons, which are mostly tied to the fact that their late arrival often means there isn’t enough room in your jaw to accommodate them. This can lead to:
- Teeth that come in at an angle
- Teeth that are impacted or only partially erupted
- Teeth that are horizontal within your jawbone
Problematic wisdom teeth can cause serious pain and cascading problems in your existing teeth as they’re pushed out of position. Impacted wisdom teeth are also an invitation for infection, tooth decay, and gum disease.
To prevent your wisdom teeth from affecting your overall dental health, your dentist typically recommends removing them.
How are wisdom teeth extracted?
At The Dental Touch, the dentists turn to one of two forms of extractions, which they perform in their office:
Simple extraction
If your tooth is visible in your mouth, your dentist doesn’t usually need to section your tooth or incise your gum tissue to remove the tooth. During this procedure, the doctor will grasp the tooth with forceps and loosen it by moving the instrument back and forth until the supporting structures widen enough to allow the removal of the tooth.
Surgical extraction
If your wisdom teeth aren’t visible above your gum line, your dentist takes a surgical approach. To remove the tooth, your doctor cuts and pulls back your gums, which allows better access to the area.
Rest assured, the dentists make every effort to keep you comfortable, and they offer oral conscious sedation, as well as local and general anesthesia.
After your procedure, the staff sends you home with complete aftercare instructions, including when you can eat and how you should take care of the site. You’re also given antibiotics to prevent infection from setting in. It’s important that you follow these instructions so that you don’t jeopardize the surgical site.
If you suspect you may have impacted wisdom teeth, call the office or use the online scheduling tool to make an appointment and find out about wisdom teeth extraction.
