Wisdom Tooth Extraction – Colleyville, TX
Saying Goodbye to Wisdom Teeth Before They Cause Problems
Wisdom tooth extraction is often viewed as a rite of passage for teens and young adults—but anyone can benefit from this useful procedure, especially if their wisdom teeth are likely to or are beginning to cause oral health issues. Continue reading to learn more about wisdom tooth extraction, and if you or a loved one needs to schedule a consultation, don’t hesitate to reach out today!
Why Choose The DFW Dental Implant Center for Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
- Dedicated implant Dentist and Prosthodontist
- Sedation Dentistry Options for Anxious Patients
- Insurance-Friendly and Financing Available
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth, sometimes called third molars, refer to the teeth found at the very back of the mouth, which usually begin to develop and erupt during the teenage years. Most people have four wisdom teeth total, one in every quadrant of their mouth—but in rare cases, some have fewer or more.
Our ancestors relied on their wisdom teeth to bite and chew their food, since their diets were much coarser and consisted of a lot of raw items. However, modern diets are much easier to eat, and humans have evolved smaller mouths over time, which means the wisdom teeth, no longer needed, don’t often have room to properly erupt.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
It’s true that not everyone needs to undergo wisdom tooth removal—there are some lucky patients out there who end up not having any issues whatsoever with their wisdom teeth! However, most people tend to need their wisdom teeth extracted before they begin to cause problems. A few of the most common reasons for wisdom tooth extraction include:
- The teeth are impacted, meaning they don’t have enough room to erupt correctly.
- The teeth are causing damage to neighboring teeth.
- They’re causing continuous pressure in the back of your mouth.
- They’re infected and causing swelling, pain, fever, or other symptoms.
- The teeth are likely to cause crowding or other future dental issues.
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure?
The wisdom tooth extraction procedure is surprisingly straightforward. After you’ve met with Dr. Branberg for your consultation, he’ll be able to determine if your wisdom teeth need to come out after inspecting your smile, taking X-rays, and discussing your symptoms with you. From there, a treatment plan is put together.
Partially erupted wisdom teeth can normally be loosened and then gently removed using specialized instruments; however, in the case of fully impacted wisdom teeth, a small oral surgery may be necessary. During this approach, the teeth are normally removed in sections to minimize the amount of bone loss and tissue disruption. In any case, our team will closely monitor you throughout the process and do everything we can to ensure your comfort and speedy recovery!
Recovering from Wisdom Tooth Extraction
After the procedure, gauze is placed over the surgical sites to help reduce bleeding. Blood clots will soon form over these sockets, and they play a vital role in protecting the underlying nerves and tissues as your mouth heals. This means you need to prioritize protecting your blood clots! Additionally, you can keep the following in mind to assist with your recovery:
- Don’t use a drinking straw, since the suction might disrupt your blood clots.
- Use cold compresses to manage any swelling.
- Avoid exercise or strenuous physical activity for the first week or so, as the increased blood flow can affect healing.
- Refrain from smoking, vaping, or using tobacco products since they can also interfere with healing.