Wisdom Teeth Extraction and Oral Surgery

It is common for people to need wisdom teeth extraction at some point in time.  The back molars are the last teeth to come in and more often than not, they need to be removed either by having them pulled or through oral surgery.  There are several reasons for this including not having enough room in your mouth or the tooth becoming impacted.

A general dentist will conduct an examination to determine if your tooth can be pulled.  If it has already broken through the surface and is growing in straight, this is a viable option.  The procedure is typically done with local anesthesia with minimal recovery time.

Typically, they don't grow in straight and break through the surface like they should.  In this case the general dentist will refer a patient to an oral surgeon for a wisdom teeth extraction.  This procedure is more complicated and needs to be done by a specialist.  Having it performed by a general dentist could lead to unnecessary pain and swelling.

How the Process Works
In your initial consultation for wisdom teeth extraction, the oral surgeon will examine your teeth and gums to determine how impacted the tooth is and the best way to proceed.  The day of the surgery you will be given anesthesia to help with the pain.  The exact amount should be determined after discussing your pain tolerance and any potential anxiety with your surgeon.

The surgeon starts by cutting open your gum and lifting up the flap.  Underneath there may be bone that has to be cut away and removed in order to reach the tooth.  The tooth is attached to ligaments and bone, both of which need to be cut away in order to pull out the tooth.  If it is severely impacted or won't loosen up with wiggling, it will need to be broken into several pieces and removed one section at a time.

Once the tooth is completely removed the surgeon and their staff will clean the entire area prior to laying the gum down and using stitches.  If they are necessary, dissolvable ones will typically be used so that they don't need to be removed at a later date.  Gauze is placed initially to help stop the bleeding until the body forms a natural blood clot.

After the bleeding has stopped and the anesthesia is worn away a patient is released to go home and recover.  Someone else needs to drive as the effects of anesthesia can linger.  It may take several weeks to fully recover from the procedure and during that time patients should eat soft foods that don't require chewing.  Things like applesauce, Jello, yogurt, ice cream, and popsicles are ideal.  Warm soup is also a good way to get nutrients but be careful not to drink it when it is too hot as your teeth and gums may be sensitive during this time frame.  You may also need to come back in for a follow up appointment to make sure that everything is healing properly.

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We Provide Emergency Care for These Common Oral Health Problems

You may need emergency care if your tooth starts to hurt in the middle of the night, it becomes damaged during softball, or your face starts to swell.  You never know when an emergency will strike, and if it does, there is no time to wait a week for an appointment to open up.  That's why we offer the extended hours and last minute appointments our patients need to feel better quickly.
There are certain things you can do to avoid many dental emergencies.  This includes practicing good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing throughout the day and getting your teeth cleaned twice a year.  This will help your teeth to be in good condition so that they are stronger.  Additionally, you can wear a mouth guard while playing sports in order to protect your tooth from a flying ball or elbow jab.  By doing so, you may prevent some common injuries and the need for a quick trip to the dentist.

There are, however, many times where patients that do have healthy teeth still have a need for emergency care.  Here are some common reasons why you may need a fast appointment along with the signs to watch for.

    Swelling in your face.  If your notice that your jaw or face becomes swollen, schedule an immediate dental appointment. This could be caused by a dental abscess; a dangerous condition to leave alone.  An abscess is a severe infection and can make you sick.  In order to treat it, we have to drain the fluid so that the healing process can begin.

    Massive pain.  If your teeth are in severe pain, you may have a bad cavity or an infection.  By examining your teeth, we can determine what the problem is and how best to treat it.  This may require a root canal and if so we can complete the procedure while keeping you entirely comfortable.
    Bleeding that won't stop.  The mouth is a sensitive area and if you start to bleed, give us a call.  We can look for the source of the bleeding and provide treatment.  Make sure to avoid aspirin since this can make it difficult for the blood to clot.

    Swollen and painful gums.  If your gums start to hurt, swell and bleed you may have gum disease or a condition called pericoronitis.  We can treat it by removing bacteria from under your gums or cutting away the extra gum tissue that is creating your pericoronitis.  This will help you to start feeling better and eliminate the symptoms.

    Broken tooth.  If you break or chip your tooth, come see us right away so that we can restore it.  We may use a crown or veneer to do so.  Come in as soon as possible so that your tooth won't hurt or become infected.

    Missing crown.  If you have a crown that falls off, we can replace it right away so that your tooth isn't exposed to air, food, or any bacteria.

We provide emergency care and welcome your calls regardless of when the emergency strikes.

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