Wisdom Teeth Removal
Regain function with new teeth
Wisdom teeth, or 3 rd molars, usually develop in the mid to late teens. Unfortunately, most people do not have room in their jaw for them to fully erupt. The result is often, painful, infected, impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth. It is best to remove these when they are in a position where they come out easiest and heal the fastest.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Most people’s jaw bones finish their major growth spurt in their mid to late teens, just about the time the wisdom teeth are forming. If there is enough room for these teeth to come in completely and have the gums seal around the roots, they can be retained in the mouth and used as normal, healthy teeth. The problem is, this usually doesn’t happen. Due to space issues, most people’s wisdom teeth cannot fully erupt. They eventually become stuck, get infected and need to be removed.
What is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?
An impacted tooth is simply one that could not come in all the way. It is stuck down under the gums or bone and, if problematic, needs to be surgically removed.
When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
If they need to come out, wisdom teeth come out easier and heal faster when they are about 75% formed. This way the roots do not have a chance to fully grow into sensitive structures such as major nerves, blood vessels and sinuses. This timing “sweet spot” usually comes between about 16 and 20 years old; earlier for girls and later for boys.
We take a panoramic x-ray when patients are 16 and evaluate the position and condition of the wisdom teeth to determine if they need to come out and when would be the best time. Occasionally, a wisdom tooth may need to be extracted on an older person as well.
How are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Because wisdom teeth are so far back and often difficult to remove, patients typically receive some sedation to make them more comfortable. The areas are thoroughly numbed and the teeth are removed either whole or in parts. Some impacted wisdom teeth, especially lowers, need to be cut into pieces to be safely removed.
Once the teeth are removed, the areas are sutured with dissolvable stitches and the patient is seen back in about a week for a post op check. It’s typical for
wisdom teeth that need to be removed, to be done all at once. This way the patent only needs to go through one round of sedation, medications, soft food or liquid diet, healing, time off etc.
How Do You Care for the Area Where a Tooth Has Been Removed?
As wisdom teeth begin to heal, there is typically 2-3 days of swelling and then 2-3 days for the swelling to go down. During this time, medications, cold packs and rinses are used to treat infection, pain, swelling, and nausea.
A soft food or liquid diet is necessary for at least a few days and rest will be needed for at least the first 24 hours so the bleeding areas can clot properly.
A post op check is completed after a week to check for and treat any dry-sockets. Healing is typically much faster in young people than older people.
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