Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Houston, TX
 Any patient dealing with significant pain associated with the improper eruption of their wisdom teeth should come to see us right away so we can provide an evaluation and make sure that the wisdom teeth are truly the culprit. We are always here to answer treatment questions. Come see us at Alexandra Garcia, DDS, MS today.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that are expected to protrude from your gums at the very back of your mouth. This typically occurs between the ages of 17 to 25. Some individuals never see these molars develop, while in other people the wisdom teeth grow in with no issues. Unfortunately for a select group, complications can arise as wisdom teeth erupt from the gums, causing severe pain and potentially causing other oral health problems. Luckily, at Alexandra Garcia, DDS, MS, we specialize in wisdom teeth extraction to save you the discomfort and oral health complications that can arise as your wisdom teeth begin to grow in.
Understanding Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is a common procedure for almost every dental practice in the country. Wisdom teeth extraction is one of the most frequently occurring extractions. It is quite familiar for teens everywhere. For some, their wisdom teeth erupt correctly, and they have no problems which mean that extraction is not necessary. For the lucky few, they never develop wisdom teeth and avoid the possibility of extraction all together. However, for the vast majority of people, they develop wisdom teeth which fail to erupt correctly. They can either remain completely impacted in the jawbone which means they never push through the surface of the gums or only partially erupt which means only a small section of the tooth is visible. In either situation, the teeth can disrupt the alignment of the other teeth in the mouth and potentially cause the jaw to become misaligned. This can cause significant pain both along the jawbone and in the oral cavity. It can also make chewing and eating a painful endeavor.
When Do Wisdom Teeth Begin to Erupt?
For most everyone, wisdom teeth begin to erupt in the late teen years. Those patients who have diligently been coming in for their cleanings and examinations have had their wisdom teeth progress monitored so there should be no surprises. Their movement marked every step of the way, there should have already been a treatment plan in place so our staff would be ready when the time came.
When a patient has a wisdom tooth that does not erupt correctly, it is usually caused by a simple lack of available space in the patient's mouth. Teeth generally do not like to give up their space when other teeth come in. However, when a wisdom tooth remains impacted, it needs to be removed as soon as possible so it does not impact the alignment of the patient's jaw and teeth.
Reasons for Wisdom Tooth Removal
When wisdom teeth do not follow their normal path and become impacted, they will still attempt to erupt into the mouth whether there is adequate space or not. When this happens, they will try to come through any way they can, seeking the path of least resistance. This could mean they erupt at odd angles to the interior or exterior of the gums and in rare cases even through the roof of the mouth.
Intervention is necessary to avoid serious complications if the wisdom teeth remain in the oral cavity. This could cause invasive procedures to be warranted. Wisdom tooth extraction is quite common and performed with general anesthesia to make the patient comfortable.
Several ill side-effects come along with wisdom teeth growth. These side effects include pain in the jaw, increased potential for tooth decay, cyst development within the gums, and if left unchecked for months on end, even crooked or crowded teeth. If you experience any of these daily, it would be wise to have your wisdom teeth removed.
However, many individuals will experience their wisdom teeth growing in with no prominent issues. If you are worried about the negative potential, our dental health professionals can evaluate you to determine your risk factor.
Preparing for Your Wisdom Tooth Surgery
Only oral or maxillofacial surgeons and dental health experts are qualified to remove wisdom teeth. The procedure is most often performed within a dentist's office, however, it can be completed at a local hospital if you are an individual at high risk for complications.
It is strongly recommended that you abstain from any food or drink after midnight on the day the surgery will be performed, to prevent any difficulties with anesthetic administration.
The Surgical Procedure Explained
A local anesthetic will first be applied to the area in which the wisdom tooth will be extracted so that you will experience no discomfort. A general anesthetic can also be used so that you can sleep through the entire removal process. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, your oral health professional will open the gum tissue to expose the tooth. Any bone covering the tooth will promptly be removed so that the tissue connecting the wisdom tooth to the bone can be separated. At this point, the tooth can be extracted. Sometimes, the performing surgeon may find it necessary to cut the tooth into smaller segments for a smoother extraction process.
Post-Operative Care and Recovery
After removal, stitches will be used to seal the extraction point. Some stitches require an expert for removal, while others will dissolve as your wound heals. Cotton gauze will be placed over the area to prevent food and drink debris from entering as well as to prevent bacterial growth.
How We Can Help You
Our team of oral health professionals will assist you with any complications that arise due to your wisdom teeth. Here at Alexandra Garcia, DDS, MS, we specialize in wisdom teeth extraction while providing all the necessities for your comfort. We provide in-depth evaluations if you are concerned about the state of your wisdom teeth and will schedule a follow-up should you need further assistance. To set-up your evaluation, give our team a call at (346) 250-2930 and we will take care of any complications you are experiencing from wisdom teeth growth. |
