What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the four permanent molars that grow in the back corners of your mouth. These molars get their name from the fact that they develop later in life than the rest of your teeth, typically between the ages of 17 and 25.
Some adults never get wisdom teeth, while others have them grow in without problems. However, many people develop impacted wisdom teeth, which means there’s not enough room for these molars to grow in normally.
Why would I need my wisdom teeth extracted?
Your Edgewater Dental Group practitioner may recommend wisdom tooth extraction if your teeth are impacted. An impacted wisdom tooth may grow in at an angle or become trapped beneath your jaw bone. Not only are impacted wisdom teeth painful, but they can also cause a host of problems, such as:
- Trapping food and debris
- Gum disease or infection
- Tooth decay or damage
- Dental alignment problems
In addition to damaging your teeth, an infection caused by impaction can lead to deterioration of your jaw bone. Wisdom teeth extraction prevents these problems from occurring or worsening.
What should I expect from wisdom teeth extraction?
It’s common to feel nervous about wisdom teeth extraction, but you don’t need to worry when you visit Edgewater Dental Group. The highly skilled team practice the most current techniques in oral surgery so you can benefit from gentle extractions at competitive prices.
First, your practitioner performs a comprehensive dental exam to determine whether wisdom tooth extraction is right for you. They may take digital X-rays to evaluate the condition of your wisdom teeth.
Before the procedure, the dental surgeon numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic. Depending on your needs, they may also use general anesthesia or gentle sedation.
To extract your wisdom tooth, your dental surgeon makes an incision in the gum tissue above the impacted molar. Then, they remove a small section of your jaw bone and extract the tooth in small segments.
Afterward, they clean the area to prevent infection. They may also stitch the incision, though this step isn’t always necessary. Most of the time, your practitioner extracts teeth from only one side of your mouth at a time to reduce pain and swelling.
If you think you may need wisdom teeth extracted, call Edgewater Dental Group or book an appointment online for competitive pricing and gentle, expert care!
