What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are a set of back molars that start to come in during most people’s late teens to early twenties. Wisdom teeth are handled on a case by case basis because they can start to grow at different times for different people. Wisdom teeth often become impacted when they aren’t extracted because there isn’t always enough room in your mouth for them to grow properly. Impacted wisdom teeth can be extremely difficult to clean, and can cause pain and other issues for your other teeth. Most of the time, an early extraction is recommended.
The Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Extractions
- Wisdom teeth extractions prevent wisdom teeth from causing teeth alignment issues.
- Wisdom teeth extractions prevent wisdom teeth from causing severe tooth pain, or other health issues.
- Patients who have their wisdom teeth removed do not have to worry about any of the problems wisdom teeth might cause later on, or properly cleaning the wisdom teeth after they have erupted to prevent tooth decay.
The Procedure
- Wisdom teeth extractions are easier when the roots of the wisdom teeth haven’t fully formed, and the bone surrounding the wisdom teeth isn’t as dense. Because of this, dentists prefer to extract the wisdom teeth as early as possible.
- Because dentists administer an anesthetic before the extraction, patients are advised not to eat or drink anything after the night before the surgery.
- Patients who receive the anesthetic generally sleep through the procedure.
- After the dentist has performed the wisdom teeth extraction, patients are driven home and begin the healing process. Healing times vary from person to person. Before the procedure, your dentist will give you an estimate and discuss your individual plan.
To find out more about wisdom teeth extractions or to schedule an appointment, call us at our office.
