During your late teens and early 20’s, visit the dentist regularly to find the status of your wisdom teeth. During these years, wisdom teeth begin to erupt and many patients have pain or discomfort. You may also notice swelling or bleeding. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause headaches, nerve pain, and orthodontic problems. Patients with impacted wisdom teeth need surgery to get the teeth out. Talk with your dentist about the progression of your wisdom teeth and removal options.
Preparing for Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removal
Sometimes an impacted wisdom tooth becomes an emergency situation. You can avoid an emergency situation by visiting your dentist as soon as you notice signs of wisdom teeth eruption. Dentists can see your wisdom teeth on x-rays before they become a big problem. Before your surgery, you may have an exam and a surgical consultation. During the consultation, the dentist discusses sedation options, the procedure, and aftercare. You can prepare for recovery by purchasing cold compresses and soft foods. Plan to take a few days off of work or school, as well.
How long does a tooth extraction take?
Most tooth extractions last under one hour. The time frame for impacted wisdom tooth extraction varies, depending on the complexity of your situation. Most surgeries take about one hour.
How are teeth extracted?
During a tooth extraction appointment, the dentist numbs your mouth with lidocaine to help you feel more comfortable. The dentist then expands the socket and loosens the tooth with forceps or an elevator tool. Patients usually feel no pain during the procedure. To reach an impacted tooth the dentist must surgically expose the tooth by opening the gum line.
Who Needs Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Sometimes wisdom teeth simply grow the wrong way. Wisdom teeth can become fully or partially impacted. You may feel a small portion of the tooth erupt through the gums if you have a partially impacted tooth. The dentist must open the gum line to remove impacted teeth during wisdom teeth surgery. If your x-rays show horizontal wisdom teeth, you may need surgery quickly to avoid orthodontic damage. As wisdom teeth begin to move, they can push your other teeth. As wisdom teeth push against other teeth, you may feel pain, as well. Patients that have had braces may end up with crooked teeth once again if the wisdom teeth do not come out in time. The experts at Edge Dental can help you with a proper diagnosis and surgery.
Erupted Tooth Extraction
If your wisdom teeth have fully erupted through the gum line, the removal procedure mimics that of routine tooth extractions. If your tooth only erupts partially, you may still need surgery to remove it. As with any erupting tooth, you may feel some discomfort as your wisdom tooth breaks through the gum line. You may also notice swelling. Your dentist can monitor the growth to determine if you need to have a dental extraction. Sometimes patients do not have room in their mouth for wisdom teeth, therefore the wisdom tooth disrupts the other teeth. The tooth can also remain crooked when it erupts, contributing to pain and discomfort.
Recovery From Dentist Wisdom Tooth Extraction
You should feel better in 2 or 3 days after an extraction. Many people need to rest for about 5 days after a surgical wisdom tooth removal, however. You should feel like resuming normal activities in 10 – 14 days after an impacted wisdom teeth removal. Follow up with your dentist regularly after your surgery to check for complications. Full healing of the socket takes several months.
During your recovery from surgery, get plenty of rest. Your dentist can help you navigate pain medication options. Do not use straws after any type of tooth extraction to avoid dry sockets. You can usually eat soft foods within 24 hours. If you have trouble with solid food, try smoothies, shakes, and broths. Avoid consuming food at extreme temperatures, however. Ice packs can also help reduce swelling. Plan some time off of work or school to recover well.
Upper Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Your dentist may recommend that you have all four wisdom teeth removed at once. Some patients, however, only have problems with their upper or lower wisdom teeth. If one set of your wisdom teeth remains healthy, talk to your dentist about the benefits and risks of leaving them in place.
How many teeth can be extracted at one time?
Dentists often extract all four wisdom teeth during one visit. Some patients, however, prefer, to have only 2 removed at one time. If you have 2 removed at a time, however, you must go through the recovery process twice.
Conclusion
Impacted wisdom tooth surgery remains one of the most common dental surgeries. If your dentist sees impacted teeth on your x-ray, schedule your surgery quickly to avoid complications. You can expect to spend about 5 days resting after surgical removal. Wisdom teeth removal can become an emergency procedure if you wait too long to investigate the location of your wisdom teeth. They may end up pressing on your other teeth or a nerve. Many patients have severe pain as wisdom teeth begin to move in the wrong direction. Make an appointment with Edge Dental today to assess your wisdom teeth situation.
