Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom Tooth Removal

When to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are ideally removed when a patient is in their late teens or early twenties because the roots of their teeth have not fully formed, and the bone surrounding each tooth is more malleable. This makes extraction simpler and usually shortens recovery time. At this age, it is also easiest to avoid an infection that may result from an impacted wisdom tooth.

Wisdom teeth can become impacted due to limited room within the jaw, and an impacted wisdom tooth likely needs to be removed. Infection, gum tenderness, swelling, or severe pain may develop if not extracted. Impacted wisdom teeth that are not fully erupted are very difficult to clean. In this state, they are susceptible to recurring infections, tooth decay, gum disease, and worsening pain.

What to Expect During Your Procedure

You can expect your procedure to last less than one hour in total. First, your dentist will apply the preferred level of sedation to guarantee your comfort throughout the entire treatment. We offer our patients a range of sedation options that make wisdom teeth removal a pleasant experience. Many patients have no memory of the procedure at all.

Following this, a numbing agent will be applied to the wisdom tooth and surrounding area. This step ensures you will not experience any pain during the procedure, even if you choose not to use sedation. Your dentist will then clear away the gum tissue so they can easily access the impacted tooth. A small piece of the bone covering the tooth may then need to be taken out at this step. Once the wisdom tooth is visible, your dentist will begin removing it using our surgical instruments. After the entire tooth is extracted, your dentist will then clean the area and get rid of any leftover debris. Self-dissolving stitches will then be used to close the incision and promote a fast recovery.

How Long Does it Take to Heal From a Wisdom Tooth Removal?

After extraction, you should expect 2-3 days of minor discomfort that is easily managed with the use of prescribed painkillers. After about one week, you will be able to return to your normal activity. Complete healing of the area takes several weeks, but with proper care, the process will not interfere with your daily routine. Your dentist will prescribe medication for pain and provide instructions on how to keep postoperative discomfort to a minimum. You can aid the healing process by:

• Not smoking.
• Drinking plenty of water.
• Not drinking through a straw.
• Eating a soft-food diet for the first 2-3 days.
• Avoiding eating anything crunchy like chips, seeds, and hard candy.
• Maintaining oral hygiene through daily brushing and flossing.