Most people know very few things about their wisdom teeth: primarily that they often need to be removed, and when they are removed out your jaw swells up, and afterwards you get to eat ice cream. However, there is more to wisdom teeth that that:
- Wisdom teeth are scientifically called third molars. Third molars normally come through the gums in the late teens or early twenties, a time that was once called the “age of wisdom”.
- Most wisdom teeth eventually require removal – an estimated 85% of wisdom teeth eventually need to be removed.
- 35% of us are born without wisdom teeth.
- 85%-90% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth.
- Diet may be responsible for impacted wisdom teeth.Early humans had more wear on their teeth due to a tough diet. Wisdom teeth were able to emerge because there was more space.
Do You Need Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
It’s not necessary for you to get your wisdom teeth removed if they are correctly positioned in your mouth and do not cause any pain or dental problems. If they are impacted and/or cause crowding in your teeth, a dentist will usually recommend that you have them removed.
Impacted wisdom teeth are teeth that cannot come through your jaw properly. They get stuck below the surface of your gum line and are horizontal or angled instead of standing upright. Sometimes they sprout sideways and towards an existing tooth. Keeping an impacted wisdom tooth that does not completely erupt can cause plaque and bacteria to accumulate, promoting the development of cavities and infections that affects more than just your teeth.
Impacted wisdom teeth can collide with the roots of your molars, which can be extremely painful. While your impacted wisdom tooth is trying to erupt, it can wear down the adjacent tooth and lead to several dental issues. If you do not remove your wisdom teeth, be careful to floss your teeth on a consistent basis, getting all the way to the back teeth.
What if Extraction is Needed?
You’ll receive instructions from the hospital or dental clinic staff on what to do before the surgery and the day of your scheduled surgery. Ask these questions:
- Will I need to make arrangements for someone to drive me home?
- When do I need to arrive at your office?
- Do I need to avoid eating food, drinking fluids or both?
- Can I take prescription medications before the surgery?
- What about nonprescription drugs?
What are the Steps of a Wisdom Tooth Removal?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon or your dentist can remove (extract) a wisdom tooth. The procedure can usually be performed at our Warner Lakes Dental office. In extremely complicated cases you may have the surgery in the hospital.
If you have any infections, surgery is typically delayed until the infection can be treated first.
Before removing a wisdom tooth, your Warner dentist will give you a local anaesthetic to numb the tooth area. For more serious cases, or patients with dental fear/phobia general anaesthetic may be used, especially if several or all of your wisdom teeth will be removed at the same time.
Your dentist will probably recommend that you don’t eat or drink after midnight on the night before surgery. In case of anaesthetic use, it is more likely that you will need someone to drive you home.
To remove the tooth, your dentist will open the gum tissue over the tooth and remove any bone on top the tooth. He or she will separate the tissue connecting the tooth to the bone and remove the tooth. In some cases your dentist will break the tooth into smaller pieces to make it easier to remove.
After the tooth is removed, stitches may be needed. Some stitches dissolve over time and some have to be removed after a few days. Your dentist will tell you whether your stitches need to be removed. A folded cotton gauze pad placed over the wound will help stop the bleeding.
It is important that a clot be allowed to form in the location of the removed tooth, and your dentist will give you instructions on how to assist this, including staying away from hot drinks, keeping your head elevated while sleeping, and what foods are safe to eat.
The Warner Lakes Dental Care Experience
Warner Lakes Dental wants your visit to be the quickest and most convenient dental experience that you’ve ever had, and one with little or no anxiety! From parking to treatment, we try to make the entire process as simple and painless as possible!
Warner Lakes Dental offers Interest-FREE Payment Plans for patients.
Pain Less Injection and Anaesthesia at Warner Lakes Dental
Warner Lakes Dental offers The Wand – New Latest State of the Art Technology for Pain Less Injection and Anaesthesia:
- Very comfortable
- Reduces anxiety
- Quick onset and easy to use
- Straight back to work without the numb feeling of face/lips
Call us on (07) 3448 0162 or book your appointment online TODAY!
