In modern society, it is almost a rite of passage to have a wisdom tooth extraction as a young adult. Wisdom teeth, the final, permanent molars located in the very back of the mouth, can actually cause problems for many patients if they are not removed. Fortunately, in most cases, the procedure is minimally invasive and does not require extensive healing time.
Wisdom teeth that are unable to erupt are referred to as “impacted.” Impacted teeth can lead to a host of dental problems, including infection, pain at the site of the impaction, bleeding gums, jaw pain, and difficulty opening the mouth. To avoid these potential issues, many dental professionals prefer to take out these molars even if they are not currently causing problems for the patient in question. Wisdom teeth can additionally crowd the other teeth and even cause shifting in a patient’s formerly perfect smile.
A dentist can explain to the patient the need for having wisdom teeth extracted. Perhaps the teeth are impacted, or maybe the dentist wants to prevent future problems in a patient with a small mouth by removing the wisdom teeth while the patient is still an adolescent, before the bones harden, which would make the procedure more difficult for a patient as an older adult.
The dental professional begins by going over the plan for extraction. For most patients, this procedure is no different than having any other tooth pulled. The exception is that these large molars sit in the very back of the mouth, which requires the patient to sit in an uncomfortable position for a while.
For wisdom teeth that have already erupted from the gums, the dental professional simply rocks the teeth from side to side and pulls gently with specialized equipment. This is similar to removing any other tooth. The patient may feel some pressure when the tooth is being removed. If the teeth have not yet erupted, the dentist may make a small slit in the gum in order to access the tooth underneath the gum.
Patients will receive instructions to avoid several activities after the removal, such as swishing with liquids, smoking, and drinking hot beverages. Every patient’s plan of care is slightly different due to unique factors in their cases. For instance, if a patient received stitches after having an incision to extract an impacted tooth, caution may be needed in eating and drinking specific foods for a longer period of time.
For most healthy patients, wisdom tooth extraction is a common, minimally invasive procedure that results in few complications and prevents future dental problems. If you still have wisdom teeth as an adult, it is not too late to investigate whether extraction would be beneficial. Schedule a consultation with our experienced dental team.
Request an appointment here: https://www.beautifuldental.com or call Los Robles General & Cosmetic Dental Center at (805) 409-0999 for an appointment in our Thousand Oaks office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Thousand Oaks, CA.
General dentistry refers to all routine procedures and care that is done to help individuals maintain good oral health. One procedure that unfortunately happens to be routine is tooth extraction. Extractions are needed when a general dentist determines that a tooth is too unhealthy to remain in the mouth. Of course, some require extraction due…
Many people wonder when to call an emergency dentist for cuts, tears, or bites to the lips, cheeks, tongue, and gums. While these soft tissue injuries can look scary, prompt dental care can protect comfort, reduce infection risk, and save teeth. A general or family dentist who handles urgent cases can guide this care right…
A general dentist offers numerous smile maintenance services to help patients be confident and proud of their smiles. Some treatments require dentists to change the structure of the teeth, such as treating areas of decay, while others focus more on boosting the teeth’s resilience or keeping the gums healthy. No matter how long it has…
General dentists protect the integrity of your oral health by providing preventative and corrective services. These can range from cleanings to repairing damaged teeth. Here are five ways the dentist can protect your smile for years to come.Examinations are one of the most common and necessary preventative measures general dentists recommend and perform. These appointments…
