Wisdom teeth removal is a routine dental procedure. Understanding the process can help ease any concerns you might have. Our Davie, FL dentists are committed to ensuring you’re well-prepared. We’ll guide you through the wisdom teeth removal process and address any questions you may have.
To book an appointment, reach out to our dental office by calling (954) 434-3331.
Removing wisdom teeth is vital for oral health to prevent complications like impaction, infection, and damage to neighboring teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause gum disease, tooth decay, and even cysts or tumors. A dentist or oral surgeon performs this surgical procedure to ensure the safe and complete extraction of the problematic tooth.
Naturally, every procedure carries potential risks and complications. Wisdom tooth removal might involve:
During an oral examination, our dentist will perform a thorough dental check to assess the positioning and condition of the wisdom teeth, surrounding gum tissue, and nearby teeth. This evaluation helps determine if your wisdom teeth require extraction or if they might cause current or future issues. Typically, patients are assessed in their mid-teen years to identify how many wisdom teeth they have and if extraction is necessary.
Dental X-rays are crucial for identifying impacted wisdom teeth and any related issues. Panoramic, periapical, and occlusal X-rays are used to evaluate wisdom teeth, including detecting impacted wisdom teeth.
X-rays offer benefits such as:
A personalized treatment plan is crafted based on your unique case. We’ll develop a plan using a comprehensive diagnosis, including dental X-rays, and consider factors like the risk of blood clot formation during the extraction.
Dental sedation options are available to ensure comfort and pain management during the procedure. You’ll discuss available options with our dentist to decide which is best for you before your procedure.
The extraction process begins with anesthesia administration, ensuring your comfort and aiding in pain management. Regardless of the anesthesia type chosen, it’s crucial to follow your dentist’s instructions and take necessary precautions before the procedure, such as fasting (except for prescription medications taken with a sip of water) for at least 6 hours before the extraction.
During the tooth extraction, an incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and underlying bone. If any bone obstructs access to the tooth root, it’s carefully removed. To facilitate easier extraction, the wisdom tooth may be sectioned into smaller pieces.
Once sectioned, the tooth is removed from its position. After removal, the site is thoroughly cleaned to eliminate any debris. In some instances, suturing the wound aids the healing process, with stitches that typically dissolve over time.
Suturing and gauze placement after extraction help control bleeding and promote healing. Our dentist may use dissolvable sutures that disappear within 3 to 5 days, removing the need for removal.
A gauze is placed over the extraction site to absorb blood and help form a clot, crucial for the healing process. Following your dentist’s post-operative instructions, including pain management, swelling reduction, and oral hygiene guidelines, will ensure a smooth recovery and minimize potential complications.
Wisdom tooth removal is generally quick and painless for other teeth, as the area will be numbed before the procedure begins. You may feel slight pressure and tugging during the extraction but should not experience any severe pain. After having wisdom teeth extracted, some tenderness and swelling can occur near the extraction site, but this should subside within 7 days with rest and recuperation.
Wisdom tooth extraction typically takes between 45 minutes and 2 hours, with the average procedure lasting around an hour. Single teeth may take less time to remove, while complex cases and those involving all four teeth might take longer.
