Extracting Wisdom Teeth For Better Smiles
As the last set of adult teeth to develop, wisdom teeth—sometimes referred to as third molars—often do not have enough space to emerge properly. This can create a variety of problems, including dental crowding, gum disease, tooth decay, and infection. To combat these potential complications, dentists and oral surgeons often recommend extracting wisdom teeth. Ideally, this preventive measure sidesteps any complications associated with their emergence. However, they can be removed after they emerge.
As oral and maxillofacial surgeons, Drs. Johnson, Soliman, Moon, Huang, and Baily are committed to providing optimal oral surgery services to their patients. Their experience and training have equipped them to be experts in wisdom tooth extraction. Contact Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons to schedule a consultation.
Why Should My Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
While they may seem benign, wisdom teeth can pose many problems to your oral health and healthy smile. A majority of people require wisdom tooth extraction to avoid potential complications. It is ideal to remove them during the early and mid-teen years because younger patients tend to recover more quickly; however, adult patients are eligible for removal as well.
While your dentist will monitor potential emergencies, if you notice any telltale signs of emergence and impaction, we encourage you to get in touch with our office for a consultation to see if wisdom tooth removal is necessary.
What Are Some Signs That I Need My Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Classic symptoms that indicate the need for removal includes:
- Discomfort or pain: Third molars are often uncomfortable and can produce severe pain in the back of the mouth that may be intermittent or constant.
- Tender and swollen gums: If emerging, they may cause your gums to swell and become tender. The area around your teeth may be inflamed; because of this, it might be difficult to brush your teeth or floss properly.
- Trouble with jaw function: Crowding or misalignment in nearby teeth can impact the jaw’s range of motion and function.
- Issues with sinuses: Pressure on your sinuses can trigger symptoms associated with sinus infections like congestion or headaches.
- Bad breath: When bacteria are caught in pockets created by emerging or impacted teeth, it can cause a bad taste and persistent bad breath.
How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Before having your procedure, you will receive a comprehensive consultation with one of our oral surgeons to assess your oral health and symptoms. They will also explore which type of anesthesia is most appropriate for your case. While IV sedation is commonly used, local anesthesia may be used.
To remove third molars that have already emerged, your surgeon will use forceps to extract them in a quick, straightforward procedure. If the teeth are impacted, they will need to make an incision in the gum tissue to remove the tooth before using sutures to help the area heal.
After the surgery, you will need to follow postoperative instructions to facilitate a smooth healing process. These instructions will detail proper care and how to prevent dry socket, a painful condition that occurs in the blood clot in the socket dislodges.
Types of Anesthesia
There are three main types of anesthesia that we use at our practice:
Hear From Wisdom Teeth Removal Patients
These patients can tell you about the firsthand experience undergoing wisdom teeth removal at our office.
Reviews From Our Wisdom Teeth Removal Patients
Jessy
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Patient
"I felt comfortable as soon as I walked in. It was a very nice-looking office—very clean, very professional. The staff here was very helpful. They helped me feel comfortable for my procedure and ready to get my teeth pulled out. The doctor was very helpful with everything I needed, answered any questions I needed about the procedure, and just was very kind. The procedure went really well. My recovery was very smooth and easy. I’d say I had a fantastic experience just for when it comes to any procedure, especially it was my first procedure, so I felt very comfortable coming here. I would absolutely recommend Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons."
Mike
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Patient
"I came to Pacific Northwest Oral Surgeons to get a total restoration. I think Carl Johnson is very easy to talk to. He had a full staff of people — there was four people that were involved one way or another, Carl being the principal person. You trust him; I guess you trust him in the fact you know that he’s going to tell you the way it is. I like Mike Johnson a lot. He’s very sensitive to how you want your finished teeth to look like. They’re so natural now that I’m not really conscious of it until somebody says, “Wow, I like your teeth.” Dental implants are definitely the way to go. I wouldn’t have done anything differently. The finished product is everything I expected. Anybody in the Kent area that was looking for any kind of dental work like I went through, I would highly recommend Pacific Northwest Oral Surgeons."
Joy
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Patient
"Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons inspires confidence. I have been very pleased to bring my children here and have excellent care for them. My daughter had her wisdom teeth out. My son with special needs was treated very respectfully and carefully, and it all went very well. I really trust the doctors here. I was very appreciative of how everything was handled at every stage. My kids feel great. I would very definitely bring my children back if they needed any further oral surgery. If any parents are looking for a great place to bring their children for oral surgery, I would highly recommend Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons."
Salena
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Patient
"I needed to have my wisdom teeth taken out, and that's why I came to see Dr. Johnson. When I first came in, I was just kind of nervous, but then, right when I walked into the place, they were so nice, and so it just kind of went away, and then I realized, "Yeah, I should probably get these taken out." My recovery? It took me about three days to be recovered because then I was back on the court coaching basketball. All my friends had talked about it, and they were in so much pain, and I was kind of scared to get them taken out, but then, once I went through with it, it was really easy, and it went by in, like, no time. I would recommend Dr. Johnson to everybody."
Arica
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Patient
"The office staff was wonderful. From the very beginning of check-in to the gals taking us back and just even updating and seeing how quick the procedure would be, and it was very quick, and I was able to go back and be with Ashley, and they were very helpful in just going over the at-home care. From our experience, I would highly recommend this practice to anyone with children needing to get their wisdom teeth out. It was a very successful, smooth, and informative practice. I highly recommend them."
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I eat normally after removal?
Immediately following wisdom teeth extraction, you should adhere to a soft and liquid diet to help promote healing, maintain comfort, and avoid surgical complications. As your surgical sites heal, you can gradually re-introduce solid foods back into your diet, as feels comfortable. Your oral surgeon will provide further direction regarding dental care.
2. What is a dry socket after tooth extraction?
Dry sockets occur after tooth extractions if the blood clot within the socket dissolves prematurely or dislodges, exposing the underlying bone. This creates an intense and painful sensation that disrupts the healing process. While your surgeon will give you more specific directions to prevent dry socket, we generally recommend you avoid vigorous rinsing, using straws, or smoking for a few days after surgery.
3. What is recovery like after removal?
After your surgical procedure, you will experience some swelling, discomfort, and may have limited jaw movement in the hours after surgery. The duration of the recovery period varies from person to person. For example, some patients can return to work within a day or two, while others require a couple of weeks to fully recover.
4. How long does removal take?
The length of dental procedures depends on the patient’s unique circumstances, how many teeth need to be removed, and whether the teeth have erupted or are impacted. Your oral surgeon can provide further details about treatment options and a more accurate estimate during your consultation.
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