Understanding Wisdom Teeth: Emergence and Extraction
Wisdom teeth are Technically considered to be our third set of molars, wisdom teeth emerge typically between the ages of 17 and 25 years old. In many cases, wisdom teeth need to be extracted.
When Should I Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
There are three prominent reasons that you would need to have your wisdom teeth removed:
Lack of Space:
The most obvious reason that they would need to be removed is that your mouth has no room for them. When there is not enough room for the emerging wisdom teeth to grow in, you run the risk of the wisdom teeth damaging your other teeth as well as ruining any previous expensive orthodontic treatment.
Wisdom Teeth Growing Incorrectly:
The next problem that warrants removal of your wisdom teeth is if they grow in incorrectly or in the wrong direction. These teeth can emerge into the wrong position in the mouth, making flossing impossible and giving a nice comfy home for cavity-inducing bacteria to grow. When wisdom teeth grow into the jaw at certain angles, they also have the potential to alter the alignment of your jaw, often making it difficult for your jaw to close properly.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removal:
The third important reason patients need to have their wisdom teeth removed is when they are impacted and unable to erupt through the gums. The problem with an impacted wisdom tooth, aside from the pain and discomfort it causes, is that fluid can collect around the tooth forming a cyst. This cyst can grow and cause damage to the jaw bone structure and function as well as damage to nerves in the mouth, but the bigger concern surrounding wisdom tooth cysts is the risk of it growing into a tumor.
The wisdom tooth removal recovery period
Recovery for wisdom tooth extraction is usually 2 to 3 days, depending on the complexity of the case and any complications that may have risen during the procedure. Bleeding can happen for up to 24 hours following the procedure.
Swelling around the mouth, jaw, neck and face is normal, and can be brought down by using a cold compress such as an ice pack. It takes anywhere between 7 to 10 days for the swelling to disappear completely. Stiff feelings in the face, jaw and neck are normal for up to 10 days post procedure.
Pain management after the procedure or surgery is determined based on the case at hand and can consist of prescription pain medication and or over the counter medication.
It is imperative to look out for signs of a condition called dry socket. These occur when the blood clot that is supposed to form in the hole where the tooth was either does not form at all, only partially forms, or does form but has been dislodged. The blood clot in the socket is important because it keeps food and other debris from getting lodged in the socket and causing an infection during the healing process.
The Best Oral Surgeon for Wisdom Teeth Removal in Tri-Cities, WA
Many people are nervous about dental procedures in general and oral surgery, such as wisdom teeth extractions in particular. At Tri-City Dental Care, we have built our business around putting people at ease — which can mean soft music, customized massage chairs, calming aromatherapy, and more. Our Kennewick dentists do our very best to ensure that your wisdom tooth extraction is as easy and low-stress as possible, with a shorter recovery time. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us.
