Protecting Smiles With Wisdom Tooth Extraction
March 18, 2021
What do you know about wisdom teeth? Sometimes referred to as our third molars, these are up to four new teeth that erupt when a person reaches his or her late teens or early 20s. For many, the arrival of these teeth could lead to negative consequences for the health and function of the smile. To preserve smiles, your Kansas City, MO, dentist may suggest an extraction.
The Dangers of Erupting Wisdom Teeth
For some, these could arrive with more or less no consequences, and may not arrive at all. For others, they could only have enough room to partially erupt, which causes a painful impaction. The risk of an infection and serious discomfort also increases, as well as dental misalignment. When the alignment of our smiles shifts, this means negative impacts on our smile’s appearance, as well as a greater risk of tooth decay, gum disease, TMJ disorder, and even bruxism (teeth grinding). To avoid these potentially serious complications, we suggest having them removed completely, preferably before they even erupt!
Removal With Dental Extraction
We not only use this procedure to address wisdom teeth, but to provide relief for severe infections or damage, teeth loosened by gum disease, or in some cases, to make room to reposition the other teeth in an orthodontic procedure. We always follow strict safety protocols, which includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting our tools and chairs (and also the waiting room area, door handles, and the bathrooms). Local anesthesia and sedation will be administered to help you enter a calm and relaxed state, with little to no memory of the procedure itself. We then open the area of the gums above the wisdom teeth to access and remove them gently with forceps. We then suture the area closed.
What Happens Next?
After we complete the procedure, a friend or family member will need to drive you home as the sedation may take time to wear off completely. At home, you will avoid strenuous activities for a day or two as the area heals. Try to eat soft foods for the first day or two, and don’t poke the extraction site with your tongue. Avoid using straws too! When you return for a follow-up procedure, we will remove the sutures and make sure the area is healing as it should. If you have any questions about extracting wisdom teeth, or if you or a family member is approaching adulthood and concerned about the impact of the third molars, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Oral Surgery?
Our team is ready to address serious concerns with the health and function of your smile. To learn more about our restorative procedures, then schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.