Is your dentist recommending wisdom teeth extractions to improve your smile and prevent potential problems in the future? If so, you’re not alone. While some individuals can live their entire lives with their wisdom teeth intact, others require surgery to remove these third molars. Why? There are many reasons as to why your dentist will opt to extract them, so keep reading to find out what could be the cause for your upcoming oral surgery and what you can expect from the process.
Why Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
When it comes to necessary wisdom teeth extractions, your dentist will likely recommend this procedure because of one of the following reasons:
- Little space exists: Naturally, you are born with 28 teeth (32 once your wisdom teeth erupt). These “third molars” as they’re called can often push through the gum line with no problem or become impacted, meaning they do not erupt because of lack of space. To avoid these molars from pushing against your regular, healthy teeth, it will be necessary to extract the wisdom teeth.
- Infection occurs: If your wisdom teeth have partially erupted, food or bacteria can become trapped, and you can develop pericoronitis. This is a painful infection that causes increased discomfort. The only solution is to extract the wisdom teeth to avoid further spreading of the infection.
- Crooked wisdom teeth: Should your wisdom teeth erupt but come in crooked, this can lead to future orthodontic help if left untreated. Crooked wisdom teeth that result in healthy teeth beginning to shift over time and become damaged. To prevent this from happening, your dentist will need to extract your wisdom teeth.
- Cyst formations: If a cyst forms near the tooth and fills with fluid, it can severely damage your bone and tooth roots. In more serious cases, you will require a more in-depth surgical procedure, but wisdom teeth extractions should remedy this problem.
What Should You Expect from Wisdom Teeth Extractions?
Even if your dentist recommends extraction, you will likely have plenty of questions regarding the procedure. From how many teeth need to be removed to what type of anesthesia you’ll receive, you want to make sure you fully understand the process before moving forward. In most situations, your dentist will remove all four teeth at once, and you will receive either local or general anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable throughout the surgery. You will need to make sure you discuss your health and medical history with your dentist as well as any medications you are currently taking, as you may need to avoid taking particular ones before your surgery.
The removal of your wisdom teeth can take as little as one hour or several depending on how many teeth you are having removed, so make sure you do not have plans for the rest of your day, as you will need ample rest when you go home to recover.
Post-Procedure Recovery Tips
To ensure you have a swift and successful recovery, there are a few tips you should keep in mind:
- Get plenty of rest
- Take any antibiotics or prescribed medications as instructed
- Bite down on a moist gauze pad for about 45 minutes if you experience bleeding after surgery. Should it last longer, make sure to contact your dentist.
- Place an ice pack or cold compress on the outside of your cheeks to reduce swelling. You should follow the 10 minutes on, 20 minutes off rule. This can be repeated multiple times in the first 24 hours after surgery.
If you have questions about your upcoming wisdom teeth removal, don’t be afraid to speak to a member of your dental team. They’ll be happy to answer any inquiries and help you to feel more at ease about your upcoming procedure.
About the Practice
At Wisdom Partner DDS, Dr. Cade Foust and his team offer premier care to dental offices in Katy and the surrounding communities. As a skilled, professional dentist who has performed more than 20,000 extractions, Dr. Foust will ensure a stress-free experience before, during, and after the surgery. Apart from offering thorough information and education as to why wisdom teeth must be extracted, he also explains the process and expectations. If you think you may need an expert dental professional to examine your smile and determine if your back molars need extracting, contact us at (832) 600-6878.
