wisdom tooth extractions – Upper Arlington, OH
Remove Problem Teeth to Safeguard Your Smile
Although ancient humans developed wisdom teeth out of necessity, today, they tend to cause more problems than they resolve. Thankfully, your dentist can safely remove problem teeth to safeguard your smile.
However, if you’re nervous about your upcoming appointment, you’re not alone! According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, about 5 million Americans undergo this procedure every year. In fact, it’s so common that many people consider it to be a rite of passage for youths as they transition into adulthood.
Understanding the process and why it’s necessary can provide some much-needed peace of mind to settle your nerves before your wisdom tooth extraction. Below is more detailed information that can help. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us.
Why Choose Tzagournis Dental Group of Upper Arlington for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Skilled Dentists With 10+ Years of Experience
- Advanced Technology for Enhanced Patient Comfort
- Sedation Dentistry Available
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are your last set of molars that appear years after your other permanent ones grow in. It’s believed that they were once necessary to compensate for lost, broken, or decayed molars of ancient people. Today, they’re considered a vestigial feature because they no longer serve a functional purpose.
Your wisdom teeth are located in the very back of your mouth and typically arrive between the ages of 17 and 25. Although many people have all 4 (one for each end of both the upper and lower teeth), many people only develop 1 or 2. It’s also possible not to have any wisdom teeth at all.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Evolutionary changes over time led to smaller mouths that don’t always have the space for extra teeth. As a result, wisdom teeth tend to cause oral problems as they struggle to push through your gums. You could develop:
- Overcrowding. They tend to push neighboring teeth out of the way, leaving you with a crooked smile. This makes it harder to keep them clean, which can cause cavities and gum disease.
- Bite misalignment. If your teeth shift out of place, it can lead to a bite misalignment that can cause TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders.
- These last molars aren’t always able to fully penetrate your gumline and can easily become infected.
- Wisdom teeth often grow at odd angles that make erupting impossible, and they develop a cyst below the gums that can impact the jawbone.
- It’s common to feel persistent throbbing as they try to push through.
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
If your wisdom teeth grew straight through your gumline, then extracting them is relatively simple. First, our team will apply a local anesthetic and/or sedation to ensure that you don’t feel any discomfort. Then, we’ll use forceps to grasp the tooth and wiggle it free.
However, if your tooth is impacted, you may need a surgical extraction. This involves creating an incision in your gums and breaking the tooth into small pieces that can be more easily removed.
Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Our team will provide detailed instructions to follow after your appointment to help you recover as quickly as possible without developing complications. We often ask that patients:
- Avoid drinking from straws. The force of the suction can dislodge the blood clot that must form over the incision site.
- Use gauze to address bleeding. It’s normal to have some oozing after your procedure, but biting firmly on a clean, folded piece of gauze can slow the flow.
- Steer clear of hard or crunchy foods. Your mouth is probably going to be sensitive for a few days, and these can exacerbate any aches.
- Rest up. You should avoid any activities that elevate your heart rate or blood pressure because this hinders healing.
- Manage discomfort. Take any prescribed pain medications as directed. If you weren’t given any, it’s usually safe to take Tylenol or ibuprofen to reduce swelling and inflammation.
Please call us right away if you experience lingering or persistent pain that lasts more than a few days, develop a fever, or have any other unusual symptoms.
Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
While you may want your wisdom teeth removed, you should first learn about the service’s price. You may commit to a treatment you can’t afford otherwise. Having said that, you’ll need to consult our dentists for an exact estimate; the cost of wisdom tooth extractions varies by patient. Our team will then strive to make the removal more affordable for you. For further details, please keep reading or call our office – we’ll gladly answer your questions!