Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom Teeth Removal Overview
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?
There are several key reasons why wisdom teeth removal is such a common procedure:
- 1. Impaction: When a wisdom tooth lacks space to emerge, it can become impacted or trapped beneath gum tissue or bone. Partial impaction leads to the tooth emerging at an angle against neighboring teeth.
- 2. Crowding/Shifting: Improperly erupting wisdom teeth often crowd and shift the surrounding teeth out of proper alignment.
- 3. Infections/Cysts: Wisdom teeth that only partially emerge create openings where bacteria can enter, raising risks of oral infections, pain, swelling, and cysts.
- 4. Damage to Neighboring Teeth: Crowded wisdom teeth can damage or erode the surfaces of adjacent molars, making brushing/flossing very difficult.
- 5. Bite Issues: Crooked wisdom teeth that emerge facing the wrong direction can negatively impact proper bite alignment (occlusion).
- 6. Tumors/Cysts: Non-cancerous growths called cysts or tumors can develop in wisdom tooth areas and require further treatment.
What are the Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Preventive Care:
Proactively removing wisdom teeth can prevent future dental problems and complications, saving you from potential pain, discomfort, and costly treatments down the road.
Improved Oral Health:
Preservation of Alignment:
Enhanced Comfort:
What to Expect When Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
Wisdom teeth removal is an outpatient oral surgery, meaning you’ll go home the same day to recover. The process typically entails:
- Anesthesia administration, with options including:
- Local anesthesia: Numbing the treatment area while being conscious
- Nitrous Sedation to keep you in a relaxed
- General anesthesia so you remain in deep sleep during the entirety of the procedure
- Accessing and loosening the wisdom teeth using specialized dental instruments that gently separate connective tissues
- Carefully extracting the wisdom teeth and any remaining tooth fragments from the sockets
- Thoroughly cleaning each extraction site
- Closing the extraction sites with dissolvable stitches as needed
- Placing gauze over the areas to control bleeding and allow blood clotting
The entire process usually takes 30-60 minutes depending on the positioning of your wisdom teeth and the number we remove. You’ll recover for 30-60 minutes before being released with post-op instructions.
- Anesthesia administration, with options including:
Wisdom Teeth Aftercare
After wisdom teeth removal, following our post-operative instructions is essential to promote healing and minimize discomfort. This may include:
- Taking prescribed pain medication as directed.
- Applying ice packs to reduce swelling and alleviate pain.
- Eating soft foods and avoiding hard, crunchy, or spicy foods that may irritate the surgical site.
- Practicing good oral hygiene by gently brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin
Don’t let problematic wisdom teeth compromise your oral health and comfort. Our Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons at Nomad Wisdom Teeth have performed countless wisdom teeth extractions while prioritizing patient safety, efficient healing, and a stress-free experience every step of the way. Schedule a wisdom teeth evaluation at one of our convenient locations in Dallas, Fort Worth, or Austin. We’ll provide an expert opinion on whether removal is the right solution or if your wisdom teeth can remain with proper monitoring. Call us today!