Are you suffering a dull but persistent pain toward the back of your jaw? If so, and if you have not yet had your wisdom teeth taken out, then they are likely to blame. The average person simply does not have enough room for them in their mouth, a fact that can lead to numerous painful complications. At New Haven Dental Group, we are able to perform safe and effective wisdom tooth extractions right here in our Branford dental office, saving our patients from having to visit an expensive specialist. Continue reading below to learn more about this type of oral surgery.
The wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, which are located at the very back of the mouth. They are usually the last to erupt, normally appearing when a person is in their late teens or early twenties.
For ancient humans, the wisdom teeth were essential for consuming a rough diet. As cooking techniques have improved and food has become easier to eat, wisdom teeth have become unnecessary.
The human jaw has become smaller throughout the generations, meaning that wisdom teeth literally do not fit in most people’s mouths. This leads them to cause various problems as they struggle to come in, including pain, teeth crowding, and even infection. Removing them is often the best way to prevent such issues.
Our team always keeps an eye on these teeth during routine exams so we can hopefully remove them before they cause any serious issues.
If your wisdom teeth have fully erupted from your gumline, we may numb your mouth and then use an elevator to lift the teeth before we gently remove them from their sockets.
If your wisdom teeth are fully or partially impacted (stuck beneath the gumline), the procedure can be more complex. We may need to create incisions in the gums or break the teeth into pieces in order to completely remove them.
Regardless of what type of wisdom tooth procedure you undergo, you can be confident that we will do all we can to make you comfortable.
Most people are fully recovered from wisdom tooth extractions within 1 – 2 weeks of their procedure. Here are some tips to facilitate a smooth post-op experience:
No, not everyone has wisdom teeth. According to one estimate, somewhere between 5% and 37% of people are missing at least one of their wisdom teeth. In fact, some people never develop any wisdom teeth at all!
Of course, it is important to note that even if you cannot see your wisdom teeth, that does not necessarily mean you do not have them. They may simply be below your gumline. Or, if you are quite young, they might not have started to grow yet (these teeth often start to develop late in adolescence or early in adulthood). The next time your dentist orders X-rays, they can let you know for sure whether you have wisdom teeth.
To permanently get rid of wisdom teeth pain, you may need to get them extracted. Before your procedure, there are other steps you can take to reduce your discomfort:
The procedure itself is surprisingly comfortable for most patients. We will thoroughly numb your mouth, which will prevent you from feeling outright pain, though you may feel some pressure. We also offer sedation dentistry, which can help you to stay calm and relaxed throughout your appointment.
Once the anesthesia and sedation wear off, you can expect to experience some soreness, swelling, and general discomfort. Our team will provide instructions to help you enjoy a smooth recovery process. Most patients are back to feeling normal within a week or two.
Most people get their wisdom teeth removed when they are in their late teens or early 20s. During this period, the roots of the wisdom teeth may not be fully developed, which can make them easier to remove. Plus, young people often bounce back from oral surgery a bit more quickly than older individuals.
Of course, it is possible to perform successful wisdom tooth removal on adults of virtually all ages. Regardless of how old you are, if you believe your third molars are starting to endanger your oral health, we encourage you to talk to us about your treatment options.
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