In modern society, it is almost a rite of passage to have a wisdom tooth extraction as a young adult. Wisdom teeth, the final, permanent molars located in the very back of the mouth, can actually cause problems for many patients if they are not removed. Fortunately, in most cases, the procedure is minimally invasive and does not require extensive healing time.
Wisdom teeth that are unable to erupt are referred to as “impacted.” Impacted teeth can lead to a host of dental problems, including infection, pain at the site of the impaction, bleeding gums, jaw pain, and difficulty opening the mouth. To avoid these potential issues, many dental professionals prefer to take out these molars even if they are not currently causing problems for the patient in question. Wisdom teeth can additionally crowd the other teeth and even cause shifting in a patient’s formerly perfect smile.
A dentist can explain to the patient the need for having wisdom teeth extracted. Perhaps the teeth are impacted, or maybe the dentist wants to prevent future problems in a patient with a small mouth by removing the wisdom teeth while the patient is still an adolescent, before the bones harden, which would make the procedure more difficult for a patient as an older adult.
The dental professional begins by going over the plan for extraction. For most patients, this procedure is no different than having any other tooth pulled. The exception is that these large molars sit in the very back of the mouth, which requires the patient to sit in an uncomfortable position for a while.
For wisdom teeth that have already erupted from the gums, the dental professional simply rocks the teeth from side to side and pulls gently with specialized equipment. This is similar to removing any other tooth. The patient may feel some pressure when the tooth is being removed. If the teeth have not yet erupted, the dentist may make a small slit in the gum in order to access the tooth underneath the gum.
Patients will receive instructions to avoid several activities after the removal, such as swishing with liquids, smoking, and drinking hot beverages. Every patient’s plan of care is slightly different due to unique factors in their cases. For instance, if a patient received stitches after having an incision to extract an impacted tooth, caution may be needed in eating and drinking specific foods for a longer period of time.
For most healthy patients, wisdom tooth extraction is a common, minimally invasive procedure that results in few complications and prevents future dental problems. If you still have wisdom teeth as an adult, it is not too late to investigate whether extraction would be beneficial. Schedule a consultation with our experienced dental team.
Request an appointment here: https://www.greatsmilesofhicksville.com or call Great Smiles of Hicksville at (516) 806-5067 for an appointment in our Hicksville office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Hicksville, NY.
Cosmetic dental services provide patients with multiple means of changing their smiles, from addressing small blemishes to completely reimagining their entire dentition. Cosmetic dentists are trained dental professionals who focus on aesthetics, but that does not mean they will damage the teeth in order to achieve a patient’s goals. In this way, they provide functional…
The right cosmetic dental services can correct any smile and oral function issues. A complete dentist assessment can determine which can resolve the current problems. Understanding the available treatments can prepare you well for them. Here are the top cosmetic dental services you should consider.The dentist can recommend these restorations to revive the teeth’s appearance.…
Have you been considering All-on-4® dental implants? Many people are looking for ways to improve their smile and overall appearance but have trouble finding an affordable solution. Fortunately, this happens to be one of them. Dental implants offer an excellent way to get the smile you've always wanted without spending a fortune on dental work.…
Curious about cosmetic dental services? Read on to learn more. Most people would like to have a pearly white, evenly aligned smile. However, cosmetic dental procedures can do more than simply make a patient's smile look better — these treatments also improve one's oral health and general well-being.The following are some of the effects that…