Wisdom Teeth Specialist

What are my wisdom teeth?

Your wisdom teeth are your third molars that come in after the rest of your permanent teeth are already set. They get their name because of their “mature” arrival. Typically, your wisdom teeth come in between the ages of 17 and 25.

Many people develop wisdom teeth that don’t cause any problems at all. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for everyone.

Why do I need my wisdom teeth removed?

Since your wisdom teeth come in so late, there often isn’t room for them inside your mouth. In many cases, wisdom teeth are impacted, meaning they grow at an awkward angle or remain trapped within your jawbone. This can cause a variety of oral health problems and annoying symptoms, including:

• Pain
• Trapped food and debris
• Infection
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay
• Damage to surrounding teeth
• Complications with orthodontic treatments, such as braces

In these instances, the best course of action is to have your wisdom teeth removed through oral surgery.

How does a wisdom teeth removal work?

When you undergo a wisdom tooth removal, your dentist uses anesthesia to put you under so that you don’t feel any discomfort.

First, your provider carefully makes an incision in your gum tissue so they can access the affected tooth and bone. Using special dental instruments, they remove any bone that blocks the tooth’s root. If need be, they’ll divide the wisdom teeth into sections for easier removal.

Then, they extract the tooth and use special tools to remove debris or leftover bone in the area. The last step is cleaning the treatment area, stitching the wound, and placing gauze over the extraction site to control any bleeding.

What’s the recovery like?

After oral surgery for wisdom teeth removal, your provider will prescribe plenty of rest and pain medication. They’ll also instruct you on how to care for the extraction site if there’s any significant bleeding.

For the first few days, you’ll only be able to eat soft foods, such as yogurt, ice cream, and soups. Your teeth will be very sensitive. Slowly but surely, you can reintroduce other foods back into your diet. The helpful Trident Dental team is always a resource to you following oral surgery, as they’ll closely monitor your recovery. You can call the office anytime with questions or concerns.

To schedule a wisdom teeth removal consultation at Trident Dental, call the office or use the online booking tool today.