Should My Wisdom Teeth Concern Me?
February 28, 2020
What do you know about wisdom teeth? While for some these extra molars could be no real cause for concern, others could see seriously negative impacts to their smile’s health and appearance. In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, talks about when to seek a dental extraction to protect your smile from the potential complications of wisdom tooth eruption!
The Dangers of Your Third Molars
Sometimes there may not be enough room for these teeth to erupt, causing them to only do so partially. Also known as impaction, this could cause serious discomfort, lead to dental misalignment (crooked and crowded teeth), and even cause painful infections for some patients. To avoid these complications, we often suggest removing them completely prior to eruption. When you or someone close to you approaches their late teens and early 20s, consider scheduling a routine visit and letting our team take x-rays of the smile. We can then assess the risk these molars pose and if necessary, schedule an extraction.
Removing Them With Dental Extraction
If you have dental anxiety, then we may suggest dental sedation to help you enter a calm and relaxed state with little to no memory of the procedure, as well as local anesthetic around the extraction sites. We will open the gums above these teeth to access and then remove them gently. We suture the site closed and a friend or family member will bring you home, as you may still be a bit groggy when the procedure ends. We also recommend this procedure should a tooth become severely damaged or infected, loosened by gum disease, or if removing a tooth is necessary to reposition the others and correct misalignment.
What Happens Following Extraction?
At home, you will begin taking antibiotics and possibly pain medication as the area heals. We suggest avoiding strenuous activity and eating soft foods for the first day or two, after which you can resume normal capabilities. Don’t poke the extraction site with your tongue and avoid using straws. When you return in a follow up visit, we will remove the sutures. Obviously, wisdom teeth don’t need replacement and won’t leave a gap behind, but if you lose a tooth to damage or infection, then we can discuss replacement options, such as a custom dental bridge or even a dental implant. If you have any questions about the removal process or about addressing wisdom teeth, the please contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Wisdom Teeth?
We can take step to protect your smile from serious issues with oral surgery, removing your wisdom teeth gently and monitoring your smile as it heals. To learn more about our approach to oral surgery, then schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.