Most adults typically have two complete sets of molars in place by the age of 12, but between 16-20 years old, a third set, known as wisdom teeth, emerges. While ideally, these teeth would integrate smoothly into the dental arch, they often cause problems due to insufficient space. Wisdom teeth commonly become impacted, leading to issues like crowding, shifting, and potential damage to adjacent teeth, nerves, or roots.
These molars can also pose risks of cysts or infections, jeopardizing overall oral health. Even without immediate issues, early detection during their development allows for proactive removal, preventing potential complications. We can safeguard your oral health and prevent future dental problems by addressing wisdom teeth early.
We understand that wisdom tooth removal may be the first experience with oral surgery for many of our patients. This routine oral surgery is focused on extracting wisdom teeth in the back of the mouth. Here's a general overview of what you can anticipate from our process.
In your consultation with our team, we will thoroughly examine your mouth, complemented by digital X-rays. This assessment will help us determine the position and complexity of your wisdom tooth extraction.
To access the tooth, we'll create an incision in the gum tissue, and if necessary, eliminate surrounding bone or divide the tooth into smaller pieces. We often remove all four wisdom teeth in a single session to streamline healing, employing a sectioning technique when needed for better control.
Following the extraction, you will recuperate in a dedicated recovery area where we'll provide an ice pack to help with swelling. The Anderson Dental team will thoroughly discuss post-operative instructions, guiding you through caring for the extraction site. Pain medication and antibiotics will be prescribed as needed and must be taken as directed.
