Wisdom Teeth Removal
Austin, TX
 Most people will have their wisdom teeth or third molars removed. Doing so improves dental health and functionality, as these teeth usually are impacted and/or normally not needed. That is why we, at Widner Elite Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, try to make the removal of wisdom teeth a comfortable experience. We do this by administering anesthesia and preparing the patient for the surgery.
What Is Involved in Wisdom Teeth Removal and Why Is It Done?
The extraction of the wisdom teeth (the back four molars in the mouth on the top and bottom) is done to prevent possible problems with crowding or future infections. If the teeth are impacted (or cannot emerge), the patient may experience pain and other dental problems. To prevent this from happening, we perform a surgical extraction where we cut into the gum to remove each tooth. Even wisdom teeth that have erupted can harbor disease or cause problems with pain or crowding.
What Can Happen if Impacted Teeth Are Not Pulled?
If impacted wisdom teeth are not pulled, you are likely to experience problems with dental cleaning, pain, and periodontal infection. Tooth decay can also develop in a partially erupted tooth. In addition, an impacted wisdom tooth can develop a cyst or damage an adjacent tooth. It is also hard to straighten the teeth if impacted teeth are not removed. The same holds true if the wisdom teeth erupt.
How Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Grow?
Impacted wisdom teeth can grow in one of various ways. For example, they may grow at an angle toward the second molar or angle themselves toward the back of the mouth. They may also grow at a right angle to neighboring teeth. In this case, the wisdom tooth, in an x-ray, looks like it is lying down. Impacted wisdom teeth may also grow up and down, but will not appear like the other teeth.
What Are the Steps for Wisdom Teeth Removal?
To perform an extraction of the wisdom tooth, we first make a small incision in the gum. This is done to expose the bone and the tooth. Next, we will remove any part of the bone that blocks access to the root of the tooth. We frequently divide the tooth in sections so it is easier to extract. Afterwards, we clean the site of any remaining tooth or bone. We usually stitch and close the wound to support healing. A gauze pad is placed at the site to control bleeding and to assist in forming a clot.
What Is a Dry Socket?
Sometimes, during wisdom teeth removals, the blood clot does not form to promote healing, or it becomes dislodged. When this happens, we flush out any food or debris that can lead to pain or a possible infection and place a dressing over the wound. Placing the dressing enables a clot to form. The patient is given a pain reliever to alleviate any discomfort.
As you can see, removing the wisdom teeth can become involved. Usually, the surgery is recommended when a patient is in his or her early twenties or late teens. Whether you are younger or older, removing impacted wisdom teeth is strongly recommended for improved dental health. Call Widner Elite Oral Surgery and Dental Implants at (737) 309-4351 for further details about this type of oral surgery. |
