Wisdom teeth removal is a surgery aimed at removing one or more wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth or third molars are the four permanent teeth in adults positioned at the top and bottom back corners of your mouth. An impacted wisdom tooth does not have room to grow. This condition can result in infections, pain, and other dental issues.
In such instances, you might require a wisdom tooth extraction procedure. Oral surgery is usually done by a surgeon or a dentist. To avoid potential future issues, oral surgeons and dentists recommend impacted wisdom teeth removal. This is regardless of whether or not the impacted tooth is currently problematic.
Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are normally the last permanent teeth to erupt in your dental formula. Under normal circumstances, they emerge when you are 17 or 25 years old. In other instances, some people do not develop these teeth.
For most people though, the teeth erupt normally, causing no problems. Yet, many people do not have enough room in their mouths to facilitate normal tooth eruption. This results in impacted wisdom teeth. Sometimes they erupt incompletely or not at all. Impacted wisdom teeth:
• May develop at an angle facing the back of the mouth
• May develop at an angle towards the second molar
• May grow just like other normal teeth but get trapped within the jawbone
Contraindications
Wisdom teeth removal is usually easier when done before age 20 than when performed when you are older. However, age does not disqualify you from getting your wisdom teeth removed. It just complicates things. This is because teeth roots are not fully formed in young individuals, making them easier to extract and quicker to heal. As you advance in age, your tooth roots get longer and curved, making them more difficult to extract.
Possible Risks
There are various complications of a wisdom teeth extraction procedure. They include:
• Irritated nerves
• Infection
• Sinus issues
• Dry socket. It is a condition that occurs when an after-surgery blood clot gets out from the tooth removal site. This leaves you in a lot of pain since the nerves and bone beneath become exposed.
Aim of Wisdom Tooth Extraction
During your routine dental appointments, your dentist monitors the development of your wisdom teeth with the help of dental X-rays. If they have become impacted or have the potential to cause health issues, the doctor might recommend a tooth extraction. Some of the dental health issues that can result from impacted teeth include:
• Damage to other teeth
• Tooth loss
• Bone loss
• Infection
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay
Your dentist may recommend undergoing a wisdom teeth extraction procedure even if you are not exhibiting any symptoms. It is an important suggestion that seeks to prevent potential issues before they begin. Wisdom teeth are located in a hard-to-clean area, making it challenging to maintain optimal dental hygiene with them in place.
Your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon to perform the wisdom tooth removal procedure. Your surgeon will organize a pre-surgery consultation to review your dental records and take more X-rays to confirm the entirety of your dental surgical needs.
Preparing for Wisdom Tooth Removal
Before the surgery begins, request your surgeon for information about anything you are concerned about. They will also advise you on what you should do in the days before your surgery and plan for recovery after the surgery. You will also discuss the type of anesthesia they will use and how it will make you feel after the procedure.
The cost for a wisdom tooth extraction procedure depends on the number of teeth that are up for extraction and the extent of the impaction. Check with your insurance provider, surgeon, and dentist on what your insurance covers and any other benefits.
Additionally, you can arrange for your recovery by getting liquid-based soft foods that are easy to eat, post-surgery. Some of these foods include yogurt, oatmeal, applesauce, smoothies, and other foods that do not require chewing.
The surgery takes place in your oral surgeon’s or dentist’s office. For this reason, you should be well aware of its location
Foods and Drinks
Follow your surgeon’s instructions for drinking and eating before wisdom tooth removal surgery. The directions may change depending on the type of sedation utilized. If you are getting anesthesia via an IV, you will be unable to drink or eat anything after midnight the night before the surgery. This is so your stomach is empty.
What to Wear
Wear some loose-fitting clothes that are comfortable for the surgery. In case you are getting IV anesthesia wearing a shirt with short sleeves might be more convenient. For this surgery, you do not have to change into anything.
Medications
The use of medications like ibuprofen, warfarin, aspirin, and other prescription pain medication can increase the risk of bleeding issues. Before the dental surgery, inform your dentist and healthcare provider if you are using any of these medications.
They will inform you of the medications you can continue using and those you should stop taking. To avoid any issues, it is wise to inform your healthcare provider of all the medications you are using.
What to Expect During the Surgery
A typical wisdom tooth removal procedure entails the following steps:
• Sedation – Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or IV sedation are the main types of sedation used in this surgery.
• Numbing – It involves numbing the wisdom tooth and the surrounding tissue using a local anesthetic.
• Gum tissue removal
• Bone removal
• Sectioning and loosening of the tooth
• Tooth extraction
• Stitches (optional)
After the Oral Surgery
Your dental surgeon will then bring you slowly out of sedation. To help with blood clotting, they will give you gauze to bite down. Also, due to the lingering effects of anesthesia like dizziness, nausea, and shivering, you will have to wait in the recovery room until you are better. You can finally go home when you are better and start your brief healing journey.
Get the Best Dentist or Oral Surgeon in St. Paul, MN
If you are considering getting wisdom tooth surgery in St. Paul, MN, look no further. At Chalet Dental Care, we have a dedicated team of caring and attentive dentists who have been giving smiles to patients for over two decades. Our numerous five-star ratings on Google are testament to our level of customer service. So, if you are looking for a gentle dentist, who takes time to listen, and provides only personalized options, you are in the right place.
For more information on wisdom tooth removal, visit Chalet Dental Care at our office in St. Paul, MN. You can also call (651) 413-9150 to book an appointment today.