Many people have a third set of molars in the back of their mouth that will typically become noticeable as a young adult. Sometimes these molars need to be extracted, but sometimes they don’t. Everyone is unique when it comes to wisdom teeth. Some people don’t even have them at all!
When you come in for one of your bi-annual examinations, we will take X-rays to determine if wisdom teeth are present. When you visit Maras Dentistry your oral health is very important to us, as well as your experience. Any type of oral surgery can be stressful, which is why we do everything possible to make you feel comfortable before, during, and after the procedure.
If your mouth isn’t overcrowded and your wisdom teeth fully break through the gum, you will likely not need to get your wisdom teeth removed. You can have up to four wisdom teeth. However, it is possible to have less than that. Many only have two.
Extraction will typically be necessary if the teeth are impacted, meaning they have only partially erupted or haven’t erupted at all. Some common symptoms people experience due to their wisdom teeth include:
Swelling
Severe Pain
Crowded teeth
Gum tenderness
Wisdom teeth will often be removed before experiencing these symptoms to save you from dealing with the discomfort. X-rays make it very easy to tell when this step should be taken, and the dentist can make a professional recommendation.
While the time of extraction can vary from person to person, it is often a good idea to remove them when you are in your late teens or early twenties. It is less likely that the roots are fully formed at this time in your life, making the wisdom teeth much easier to extract. The bone surrounding the teeth will also be less dense.
If you want the recovery period to be easier and faster, it’s better to have this procedure done sooner rather than later.
The first step before beginning the extraction process is numbing the surrounding area so you won’t feel anything during the procedure. If your tooth has not erupted at all, the dentist will need to make an incision in the gum to remove a small portion of bone covering the tooth.
In some scenarios, the tooth will be taken out in pieces rather than all at once. Once the tooth is removed, the dentist will stitch the area to make the recovery period faster. You will need to bite down on some gauze for a little while after the procedure to stop the bleeding. We also recommend you have someone drive you home.
In most cases, it will take about two weeks for the area of extraction to heal but depending on the degree of difficulty to remove the teeth, it could be more or less time. The dentist will go over the timetable during your consultation.
During the healing process, it’s important that you eat soft foods and do not drink out of a straw. If you dislodge the blood clot, it can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Plus, it will lead to an extended recovery period.
If you have impacted wisdom teeth, the best thing to do is to see a dentist for an extraction procedure. At Maras Dentistry, your oral health is our priority, and we don’t want you to have to deal with the symptoms caused by that extra set of molars. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
If you would like to learn more about wisdom teeth, please contact our practice to schedule an appointment.
Fill out our new patient forms to get started, and our staff will be happy to assist you in making your appointment.
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