WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL

Wisdom teeth or third molars are the very last teeth on either side of the upper and lower jaws. The name wisdom teeth have been given to them because they emerge much later than all other teeth. Typically, wisdom teeth come in between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five and very often are a cause of much discomfort. A smaller jaw size makes it difficult for us to accommodate the wisdom teeth which cause them to come out at an angle or push against the other teeth. Wisdom teeth may also damage other teeth, cause inflamed gums, lead to cavities, form misaligned teeth and have other negative effects on your oral health. When this happens, a dentist will usually recommend the removal of the wisdom teeth.

At Smooth Dental Group, the dentist will first give you a thorough oral examination and determine if you are a candidate for the procedure. If you do need your wisdom teeth extracted, Dr. Tran will run you through the procedure and address any concerns you might have.

The procedure is carried out under local anesthesia, IV sedation or if required, general anesthesia. Once the area of the mouth being treated has been numbed, Dr. Tran will use a special instrument to loosen and disconnect the tissue around your wisdom teeth, then essentially pop them out. If necessary, the wisdom tooth may be divided into sections before removal to make it easier. Sutures may be used to stitch the surgical sites up, and gauze will be placed over the holes to promote clotting that will help your wounds heal. The whole procedure usually takes about forty-five minutes.

Patients have reported experiencing different levels of post-procedure pain. This will largely depend on factors like whether you had one tooth removed or all four and how impacted the teeth were. You may be able to manage pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, or a prescription pain medication, if needed. Holding a cold pack against your jaw may also help relieve pain.

POST SURGERY

There might be some swelling or discomfort in your mouth after the removal of the teeth but this will heal in a few weeks. The doctor will provide you with full aftercare instructions to speed up the healing process. Be sure to follow the instructions as laid out. Contact us if you feel any pain, if the swelling is taking too long to reduce or if you develop a fever. We always make sure to provide the best care for our patients.

Contact us at our La Habra or Santa Ana centers if you would like to make an appointment for a consultation.