Why Extracting Wisdom Teeth Can Be a Good Idea
In most people, wisdom teeth will become a problem. They often grow in at a steep angle, or nearly horizontal, and do not have enough room to reach their full size, causing problems with neighboring teeth. Other cases may involve a wisdom tooth that has become infected, and when that happens, wisdom tooth removal by an oral surgeon becomes necessary.
Wisdom teeth often cause problems with other teeth, which is why getting wisdom teeth out becomes necessary. Not everyone is born with wisdom teeth, and when that happens, they never have to worry about it.
What is wisdom teeth removal?
Wisdom teeth removal means taking the wisdom tooth or teeth out. Many times, not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. This is a dental surgery that is usually performed by an oral surgeon, rather than a regular dentist.
The reason for this is because taking out wisdom teeth can be a complicated process. The wisdom tooth may be partly or even completely encased in bone, but it can still become infected. Another possible problem is that the roots may be near the nerve that runs through the jaw (lingual nerve) and surgical precision is needed from a more experienced dentist – an oral surgeon.
Who should go for wisdom teeth removal procedure?
The placement of the wisdom teeth will vary with each individual. While some people will need surgery to have them all removed, others may only need one or two taken out. They are usually the last permanent teeth to grow in and they typically appear sometime between 17 and 25.
When a wisdom tooth does not have enough room to grow, it is called an impacted wisdom tooth. This can happen when the tooth does not grow properly or in the right direction. It may grow horizontally, toward the back part of the mouth, or even be upright but not break through the bone.
Besides being painful, an impacted wisdom tooth can cause a number of problems. It can:
- Become infected
- Lead to periodontal disease
- Become decayed
- Damage a nearby tooth
- Develop a cyst around the tooth
- Move other teeth out of alignment
As wisdom teeth come in, some symptoms may be experienced. These may include:
- Pain
- Painful to chew food
- Face or jaw pain
- An earache
- Increased sensitivity to hot or cold
- A sore throat
- A headache.
There are also some other symptoms that may indicate a problem with wisdom teeth. When these occur, immediate treatment is necessary. They include:
- A fever
- Swollen gums around the wisdom tooth
- An abscess
- Swelling in the jaw that makes it difficult to open the mouth.
Wisdom teeth removal procedure
Before you have a wisdom tooth extraction, you will be asked to fast for at least six hours prior to the appointment. Not following this guideline could lead to nausea and vomiting when the anesthesia is applied. You will be asked about it, and, if you did not follow it, the appointment will be rescheduled. Various types of anesthesia can be given, ranging from local to general. One or more wisdom teeth can be removed at the same time. It is not uncommon to remove all four – usually under general anesthesia.
In many cases, the wisdom tooth will be broken into pieces, and then the pieces will be removed. In some cases, the gums will need to be cut first, and then some of the jaw bone removed to get access to the tooth.
Medication will be given to prevent infection and to minimize the pain you might otherwise feel afterward. When the patient is of a minor age, a parent will need to be present and will have to watch the young person for the remainder of the day.
Recovery and aftercare
After wisdom teeth surgery, the dentist will provide some gauze pads for you to place on the site of the extracted tooth. This will need to stay on the site for at least half an hour. During that time, a clot should have formed. If it has not formed in the first 30 minutes, it should be repeated.
Some swelling is to be expected, and it can occur around the mouth, cheeks, and eyes. The amount depends on how extensive the surgery was. Ice packs can be placed where the swelling occurs. Medication will be given for pain after the anesthetic has worn off. Antibiotics are also likely to be prescribed.
Care needs to be taken not to dislodge the blood clot over the site because this may permit a dry socket to form. This means you should not brush your teeth, floss, or swish water in your mouth. Avoid smoking, which can delay healing.
It is not unusual for there to be a sore throat or pain in your jaw for two or three days. It should subside after that. Call the dentist if pain continues longer than that.
How much does it cost for the wisdom teeth removal procedure?
Calculating the wisdom teeth removal cost depends on what needs to be done to extract them. On average, it is likely to cost $75 to $200 per tooth. If there is an impacted wisdom tooth, this will likely cost $200 to $500, but it will also depend on the type of anesthesia used. Removing all four wisdom teeth may cost around $1,600. Dental insurance will often pay between 25 to 50 percent of the cost.
If you live in the Farmers Branch TX area and need wisdom tooth removal, Champion Dental clinic . We regularly perform teeth extractions and many other dental services. For more information about our services, or to set up an appointment, visit our website
