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."
Chelsea
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Patient
"Hi, I'm Chelsea. I'm from Maple Valley. I came to get my wisdom teeth taken out by Dr. Ben Johnson. When I walked into this practice, I felt welcomed. I felt safe. Dr. Ben is very nice. He's very easy to talk to. He's very easy to understand. He's a very good doctor. The videos that they provided before the procedure essentially answered every question I had. My procedure was extremely quick. I was out of the office and good to go. It feels great to have a healthy smile. It is definitely a confidence booster. My overall experience at the practice was great. I would highly recommend Pacific Northwest Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons to my friends and family in Bonney Lake."
Jessica
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Patient
"I needed to get my wisdom teeth taken out, and I heard this was a good place to go, so I decided to come here. I was very nervous before coming in just because of the anesthesia, and after the experience, I realized it really wasn't scary at all. The staff was really nice because they would tell me everything they were doing, like when I was getting the IV put into my arm, she just talked me through the whole process, which actually made it really nice and calming for me. The surgery went very well. The healing process was really quick. I was never in a lot of pain, never had to take my actual pain pills or anything. Carl Johnson was a cool guy. I definitely had a good experience here. This was just the best place I think you could get your wisdom teeth taken out because it was just so easy and nice."
Karla
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Patient
"I am the mother of three sons who have been here to the Pacific Northwest Oral Surgeons to have their wisdom teeth out. When I first walked in, it was very welcoming. The receptionist and the surgical assistants were great. Dr. Carl Johnson is very nice and friendly. We have been pleased with his demeanor and his talent of what he does. So, if anyone in the Renton area is looking for a great oral surgeon, I definitely recommend Pacific Northwest Oral Surgeons."
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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