Wisdom teeth can cause a lot of problems for your smile if not taken care of properly. Many patients must have one or more wisdom teeth removed to avoid complications with their other teeth. If you have questions about your wisdom teeth in North Andover, MA, our team is ready to help. Your wisdom teeth may begin to erupt at any time between your early teen years and your early twenties. You may even experience trouble or pain with your wisdom teeth into your thirties. No matter your age, we can evaluate your wisdom teeth, discuss your symptoms and give you the best recommendations for your smile. Call our office today to get started!
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
As oral surgeons, wisdom teeth extraction is a common surgical procedure for us. With years of experience and training, our oral surgeons use the utmost care to provide precise and safe wisdom teeth extractions. We offer sedation dentistry to help you feel relaxed and at ease throughout your entire visit. Whether you need one or more wisdom teeth removed, you’ll be in good hands with our team. Because there are many different treatments depending on the position of your wisdom teeth, your doctor can thoroughly explain the best recommendations for treatment after an in-office visit. Our surgeons will evaluate your smile, take x-rays if needed and explain in detail everything to expect for your wisdom tooth removal.
Reasons for Wisdom Teeth Extraction include:
- Infection
- Possible crowding
- Possible damage to adjacent teeth
- Impacted wisdom teeth
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Many patients do not have enough room for their wisdom teeth to erupt within their jaw. When this happens, the wisdom tooth becomes impacted. In other words, the wisdom tooth cannot fully erupt because there are teeth in the way, preventing the wisdom tooth from growing any further. This often poses a problem because there is a greater chance of infection developing. When this happens, surgery is needed to remove the impacted wisdom tooth.
Types of Impactions:
- Soft Tissue Impaction: The gum tissue is not able to retract, preventing proper cleaning of the tooth.
- Partial Bony Impaction: The wisdom tooth can only partially erupt, preventing the tooth from functioning properly. This can affect chewing ability, cleaning and cause other complications like infection and discomfort.
- Complete Bony Impaction: The tooth cannot erupt at all. This often leads to crowding and jaw pain.
After Extraction of Wisdom Teeth
When you have your wisdom teeth removed, sedation will help you feel comfortable throughout your entire visit. The next day, you may have some minor bleeding and pain. Everyone is different in their recovery. Some patients experience mild pain and others have more severe discomfort as they recover. If you have any questions following wisdom tooth extraction, give us a call! The following tips can help you as you heal following your wisdom tooth extraction:
- Swelling usually hits its peak on the second day and should go down on the third day. The more you ice on the first day, the less swelling you should experience on the second day.
- To help with muscle stiffness, you may apply moist heat on both the second and third day. This will allow you to open your mouth wider.
- Your doctor will give you detailed instructions following your operation. It’s important to follow these instructions for proper healing and minimal discomfort.
Why Visiting an Oral Surgeon is Important
Choosing an oral surgeon to remove wisdom teeth ensures you or your loved one gets the highest quality of care. As oral surgeons, our team performs wisdom tooth extraction regularly, meaning we have experience to handle complex cases easily. Additionally, we utilize advanced technology to identify the location of the wisdom teeth, tooth nerves, and other tooth roots to ensure that extraction is successful without other complications.
