South Rock Dental offers wisdom teeth extraction for teens and adults. We follow the highest standards of infection control and safety to give you peace of mind.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
The third molars, or wisdom teeth, usually make their debut between the ages of 17 and 25. Unfortunately, it’s common for the wisdom teeth to become impacted (stuck under the bone), get infected, come in crooked or cause other complications.
If you’re currently experiencing problems or it’s likely issues will arise down the road, Dr. Sundeep Chohan, General Dentist, may recommend wisdom teeth extraction. Removing problematic third molars can help you maintain long-term oral health.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure
01
Come in for a Dental Exam
We’ll take x-rays and a wellness scan to visualize the positioning of your wisdom teeth and their roots. Then, Dr. Chohan will perform an exam. If an extraction is needed, she’ll go over what to expect and answer your questions. We do offer sedation for wisdom teeth removal, so she’ll also discuss those options with you.
02
We’ll Put You at Ease
Before we remove wisdom teeth, we make sure you feel comfortable and relaxed. Dr. Chohan will administer local anesthesia to numb the teeth, gums and jaw. Difficult extractions will be referred to a local, trusted specialist/oral surgeon.
03
Have Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted
The exact process will depend on your specific case. For the removal of impacted wisdom teeth, Dr. Chohan will make a small incision above the tooth. Sometimes, she may also have to break the tooth into smaller pieces or remove bony obstructions. Then, she’ll gently extract your wisdom tooth and close the site with dissolvable sutures.
04
Rest and Heal
Dr. Chohan will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions. Be sure to follow them closely to minimize discomfort and encourage optimal healing. If you received sedation for your wisdom teeth removal, you might feel sleepy after the procedure. Be sure to rest and take it easy for the first day or two while you heal.
Benefits Of
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Treats or Prevents Complications
Wisdom tooth removal can address or prevent common complications, such as infection, pain and cysts.
Helps Maintain Tooth Alignment
Extracting wisdom teeth may help preserve the alignment of your other teeth and ward off damage and crowding.
Makes Brushing Easier
With the wisdom teeth gone, it will be easier to reach your back teeth when you brush and floss, reducing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
What is wisdom tooth removal?
Wisdom tooth removal is an oral surgical procedure that involves removing, or extracting, the third molars, called the wisdom teeth. When you visit South Rock Dental, Dr. Sundeep Chohan, General Dentist, will take any necessary diagnostic records and perform an exam. If your wisdom teeth are currently causing complications or will in the future, she may recommend removing them.
What’s the best age to have wisdom teeth removed?
While the wisdom teeth don’t usually erupt until age 17 or later, some patients exhibit signs of wisdom tooth complications as young as age 13. It’s ideal to have the wisdom teeth evaluated at the first sign of a problem or in the teen years. This is because extracting the wisdom teeth before their root structure fully develops is much easier.
While you can have your wisdom teeth removed at any age, patients in their teens and 20s usually heal faster following the procedure and have fewer postoperative issues.
Do wisdom teeth always need to be extracted?
Nope. If the wisdom teeth are partially or fully impacted, infected, prone to cavities, come in crooked or cause other issues, we might recommend removal. But if they fully erupt in the right positions and the surrounding gums are healthy, it’s perfectly fine for them to stay in place.
What are the post-operative instructions for wisdom teeth removal?
Dr. Chohan will provide you with detailed pre- and post-operative instructions to follow. While the details might vary a bit depending on your individual case, in general, they’re as follows:
- To control bleeding, bite gently but firmly down on the sterile gauze pads Dr. Chohan placed on the extraction sites. Change the pads as needed.
- Rest after your surgery. Try keeping your head elevated on pillows instead of lying flat.
- If you’re given antibiotics, pain medication, or corticosteroids, take them as directed.
- Hold an ice pack on your cheek in the extraction area for 10-minute periods to reduce swelling. Continue using ice for up to 24 hours after your procedure. On the second day, you can switch to holding a warm, moist washcloth on your cheek as needed.
- Do not rinse your mouth for 24 hours after the procedure. After that, rinse gently with a prescribed oral rinse or warm salt water (½ teaspoon of salt dissolved in eight ounces of warm water).
- If Dr. Chohan provided you with an irrigating syringe, begin irrigating the extraction sites on the third day post-surgery. Follow the guidelines in your post-op instructions.
- Stick with clear liquids following surgery. Gradually transition to soft foods, such as applesauce, yogurt, protein shakes and smoothies. You can resume your regular diet once you feel ready.
