Wisdom Teeth Extraction
As you progress through your teen years, you will likely notice a new set of teeth coming in at the very back of your mouth. These four teeth are referred to as wisdom teeth or third molars due to the fact that their function and position makes them useful for grinding food. Some people have no problems with their wisdom teeth, and simply continue their normal dental routine. However, other people may not have adequate room in their mouths and need to have the wisdom teeth removed in order to prevent a wide range of adverse health effects.
If you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, here are some things you should know.
Why Remove the Wisdom Teeth?
One question you might have is why you would want to remove these teeth in the first place. Wisdom teeth are sometimes located in such a way as to make dental hygiene extremely difficult: because they are located in the very back of the mouth, it can be challenging to clean them, particularly on the back side. As a result, they can be prone to decay and all of the complications that come with it.
In addition, the wisdom teeth do not always come in straight, and as a result they can grow against other teeth. The outcome of this can be excruciating pain and headaches, and many people in this situation find that they feel much better once the wisdom teeth have been removed.
Finally, some people simply don’t have enough room in their mouths to accommodate yet another set of teeth. In such cases, removal of the wisdom teeth is the best way to address this problem.
What Benefits Can I Expect?
If you are suffering from headaches or other pain in your teeth and jaw due to the wisdom teeth, you will immediately notice a benefit from having them removed. If your wisdom teeth have not fully erupted yet, you may not notice as much of a benefit, but having them removed is a preventive maintenance issue that will prevent you from experiencing some of the negative effects noted above.
In the long term, having your wisdom teeth removed has other benefits. You will find it to be much easier to engage in routine cleaning, and your remaining teeth won’t be crowded – in some cases, the erupting wisdom teeth can crowd the other teeth and cause them to become crooked or twisted.
How Long Does Extraction Take?
Having your wisdom teeth taken out is a relatively routine procedure. You will come into our office and we will administer some sedation to make the process easier. Usually, we can perform the procedure using only a localized anesthetic, meaning that you will remain conscious during the entire time –although you won’t feel a thing!
Depending on how many teeth you are having removed, the process could be finished in as little as 30 minutes. Then you can go home, rest up, and go on about your day.
We’re happy to talk with you and give you more information. Contact us today with any questions or concerns you may have.
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