Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Wisdom teeth are the common name for the third molars, the last permanent teeth to erupt in the mouth. They usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25. Some adults never get their wisdom teeth, but if they do erupt, they often do not come in normally. If they present no problems, the wisdom teeth can be left alone. However, if they are impacted, an extraction will usually be needed to preserve the health of the rest of the teeth. Leaving them in the mouth can lead to pain, tooth decay, damage to a nearby tooth, or even infection or gum disease. You can find this treatment at Apex Dental in Chicago.

Procedure

Some form of anesthesia will be used for a wisdom tooth extraction. It ranges from local to general anesthesia, depending on how many teeth are being removed (if you are having all four teeth removed at once, for example, general anesthesia will be used). A wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure in which an incision will be made into the gums to expose the impacted tooth. Your dentist at Apex Dental will remove any bone that blocks access to the tooth root and may divide the tooth itself into sections to make it easier to remove. After it has been removed, the site will be cleaned of any debris and usually will be stitched closed to promote healing. Gauze will be placed over the extraction site to control bleeding and to help a blood clot to form.

After surgery

Following the procedure, the extraction site will need to be handled with care. You will receive instructions on what to eat and drink, what to avoid, how to clean the site safely, and what activities may have to be limited while waiting for the site to heal. Any pain can be managed with over-the-counter medications. Your doctor may prescribe medication after the extraction to manage pain or to prevent infection.

If you have had wisdom teeth come in, and you suspect that they are impacted, come see your dentist at Apex Dental to have them examined. If an extraction is necessary, you can have confidence that you will be provided with a safe and comfortable extraction in Chicago.