Teeth Extraction
If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain and discomfort, At Beach Smile Dental in Redondo Beach Once the x-rays have been taken, the dentist will be able to tell how easy or difficult it will be to remove the tooth. Want to learn more about wisdom teeth extraction or removal and recovery time?
Wisdom teeth usually emerge from your gums between the ages of 17 and 24. They are the last of the large grinding teeth at the back of your mouth (molars). Some people never develop wisdom teeth or you could have up to four appearing – one in each corner of your mouth
For most people, wisdom teeth Extraction don’t cause any problems and so they don’t need to be removed. However, if there isn’t enough space for them to grow at the back of your mouth they become ‘impacted’ wisdom teeth, causing pain, swelling and/or infection.
Having your impacted wisdom teeth surgically removed (extracted) can relieve these symptoms. It may be possible for your dentist to remove your wisdom teeth, or you may be referred to an oral surgeon.
Antibiotics can help treat an infection, but your symptoms may flare up again. Having your wisdom teeth extracted or removed is often the only way to permanently relieve your symptoms.
Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
If you do not have enough room in your mouth for your third molars to fully erupt, a number of problems can happen. Impacted wisdom teeth should be removed before their root structure is fully developed. In some patients it is as early as 12 or 13, and in others it may not be until the early twenties. Problems tend to occur with increasing frequency after the age of 30. Some of the possible problems related to not removing your wisdom teeth include:
Infection:
The most frequent clinical problem we see is a localized gum infection. Without enough room for total eruption, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth can become infected, resulting in recurrent pain, swelling, and problems with chewing and/or swallowing.
Cyst Formation:
Non-infectious diseases may also arise in association with an impacted wisdom tooth. Cysts are fluid-filled “balloons” inside the jaw bone that develop as a result of impacted teeth and slowly expand destroying adjacent jaw bone and occasionally teeth. They can be very difficult to treat if your wisdom teeth are not removed in your teenage years. Although rare, tumors can be associated with the delayed removal of wisdom teeth.
Possible Crowding:
Impacted wisdom teeth may contribute to crowding of your teeth. This is most noticeable with the front teeth, primarily the lower front teeth and is most commonly seen after a patient has had braces. There are a number of factors that cause teeth to crowd after braces or in early adulthood. Retained, impacted wisdom teeth may be a contributing factor. Unless you have an active problem when you see the oral surgeon, the reason for removal is primarily to prevent long-term damage to your teeth, gums and jaw bone.
Damage to Adjacent Teeth:
If there is inadequate room to clean around the wisdom tooth, the tooth directly in front, the second molar, can be adversely affected resulting in gum disease, bone loss around the tooth, and/or decay.
Preparing for wisdom teeth removal
Your dentist or oral surgeon will explain how to prepare for your procedure. For example, if you smoke, you may be asked to stop as smoking increases your risk of getting a wound infection, which can slow your recovery.
The operation is usually done under local anaesthesia. This completely blocks pain from your gums and you will stay awake during the procedure. You may be offered a sedative to help you relax during the operation. If you go to a hospital and your wisdom teeth are particularly challenging to remove, you may be given general anaesthesia. This means you will be asleep during the procedure. Your dentist or oral surgeon will talk with you about which type of anaesthesia is most suitable for you.
If you’re having a general anaesthetic, you will be asked to follow fasting instructions. This means not eating or drinking, typically for about six hours beforehand. However, it’s important to follow your dentist or oral surgeon’s advice.
Your dentist or oral surgeon will discuss with you what will happen before, during and after your procedure, and any pain you might have. This is your opportunity to understand what will happen, and you can help prepare questions to ask about the risks, benefits and any alternatives to the procedure. This will help you to be informed, so you can give your consent for the procedure to go ahead, which you may be asked to do by signing a consent form.
What happens during wisdom teeth removal?
The procedure for removing your wisdom teeth will depend on how deeply impacted your teeth are. Many wisdom teeth can be extracted simply like any other molar. Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, your dentist or oral surgeon will widen the socket (the area your tooth sits in) using a tool called an elevator or a pair of special forceps. The tooth will be moved from side to side until it is loose enough to be removed completely.
However, if your tooth is more difficult to remove, your dentist or oral surgeon will cut through your gums and may remove some of your jawbone to reach your tooth. They’ll remove your wisdom teeth and then close your wounds with stitches if necessary. Most wisdom teeth only take a few minutes to remove, but the more difficult cases can take around 20 minutes.
What happens afterwards?
You will need to rest until the effects of the general anaesthetic or sedation have passed.
After a local anaesthetic, it may be several hours before the feeling returns to your jaw. Take special care not to chew on the area or have any hot food or drinks, as you may not be able to feel any injury to the area such as a burn.
You will be able to go home when you feel ready.
If you had a general anaesthetic or sedation you will need to arrange for someone to drive or take you home. Try to have a friend or relative stay with you for the first 24 hours after the procedure.
Before you go home you’ll be given advice about looking after your teeth and gums. You may be given painkillers, antibiotics and mouthwash solutions to take home. You may also be given a date for a follow-up appointment.
Dissolvable stitches will disappear on their own in seven to 10 days. Non-dissolvable stitches are removed a week after surgery by your dentist.
Recovering from wisdom teeth removal
If you need them, take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol. Follow the instructions in the accompanying consumer medicines information leaflet or ask your pharmacist for advice. Don’t take aspirin because this can make bleeding worse.
If your gum bleeds, fold a clean handkerchief or piece of gauze, place it on your bleeding gum and bite on it for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Don’t rinse your mouth out or lie down until the bleeding has stopped.
Don’t vigorously rinse out your mouth during the first 24 hours after having a wisdom tooth removed because this can disturb blood clots that help the healing process. After meals, rinse gently with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of table salt dissolved in a glass of water).
Brush your teeth as usual, but keep your toothbrush away from the healing wound for the first couple of days. At first, you may feel small fragments of bone with your tongue. These are the edges of the tooth socket and will soon disappear as your gum heals.
To begin with, eat soft foods, gradually returning to your usual diet once your jaw feels less stiff.
Most people don’t experience any problems after having their wisdom teeth removed. However, if you develop any of the following symptoms contact your dentist or your GP immediately:
Bleeding that doesn’t stop after applying pressure, or that lasts for more than half an hour
Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
Severe pain that isn’t helped by painkillers
A high temperature
Swelling that continues for more than three days after your operation.
What are the risks?
Wisdom teeth removal is commonly performed and generally safe. However, in order to make an informed decision and give your consent, you need to be aware of the possible side-effects and the risk of complications of this procedure.
Side effects
These are mostly temporary effects of a successful treatment, for example feeling sick as a result of a general anaesthetic. You may have some facial swelling, bruising, pain or jaw stiffness for up to two weeks. These symptoms are usually at their worst for the first two or three days and then gradually improve.
Not all wisdom teeth extractions are difficult or complicated. Most wisdom teeth can be removed in the dental surgery setting and under local anesthesia. Other forms of anesthesia and sedation are available to relieve anxiety about the procedure. If you feel that you are anxious about the procedure and would prefer not to remember it, you may choose to have your wisdom teeth removed under general anesthesia either at a Hospital Day Surgery or at an National Dental Care practice offering general anesthetic services.
our dentist or Oral Surgeon will advise of best care after wisdom teeth removal. Typically, you will be advised to:
protect the area where the tooth has been removed and avoid touching it with your tongue or hands
avoid hot drinks or hot food for 24 hours, as this may cause the wound to bleed
avoid rinsing your mouth and swishing water or mouthwash for 24 hours as this may dislodge the blood clot in the tooth socket and cause further complications
if you experience bleeding, apply gentle pressure on the site with a clean gauze pack
do not smoke for 2-3 days after the procedure and avoid drinking alcohol as this can cause serious complications and delay healing
The simple answer is: not necessarily. Nature doesn’t create redundancies, there is usually a reason we have all the body parts we have. However, due to many factors, impacted and problematic wisdom teeth are becoming more and more frequent. Your dentist will advise whether your wisdom teeth are fine the way they are or if they are likely to be problematic. If so, extraction may be recommended. This can be done in the general dental surgery, under local anaesthetic or under general anaesthetic or under sedation. Occasionally a referral to an Oral Surgeon (a dental specialist) may be required
Teeth Removal Video
Post-OP teeth Extraction Video
Telephone No.(310) 376-4537