The wisdom teeth are new molars that erupt in the rear of your mouth. Without extraction, these could cause problems for the health, function, and beauty of your smile. Which is why we recommend removing them! With our team at Charlottesville Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Centers, we can protect you from the dangers associated with wisdom teeth!
When and Why Wisdom Teeth Erupt
At one time, the arrival of your wisdom teeth served a purpose, but over the millennia this has changed and now when they erupt, they could lead to serious trouble for your smile’s health, balance, and beauty. Essentially, our mouths can accommodate 28 teeth comfortably, but if all 4 wisdom teeth this pushes 32 teeth in the same space. Without room, the teeth could partially erupt, causing a painful infection. They could damage nearby teeth to cause severe tooth decay and infection. You could also develop misalignment, which changes the appearance of your smile and leaves it more vulnerable to a host of issues, including tooth decay and gum disease. The strain on your bite could also mean painful complications like TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). Which is why we recommend extracting the wisdom teeth, preferably before they even erupt!
Planning Your Tooth Extraction
Every smile is different, and we will begin by carefully examining your smile with digital x-rays, so we can pinpoint the position of these teeth and assess the risk should they erupt. These systems use less radiation than traditional x-rays, and provide detailed images instantly chairside, no need for bite wings or waiting for them to develop. Our team can then plan the process in detail. We want to ensure you’re comfortable during the surgery, so our team will not only administer a local anesthetic, but can discuss sedation options to help you enter a calm and relaxed state, with little to no memory of the procedure. This is helpful for those undergoing surgery, and those with special needs or dental anxiety.
Removing Your Wisdom Teeth
Once you’re comfortable and relaxed, we will move forward with the tooth extraction. We open the gums above the teeth so we can access the wisdom teeth. Next, our team will use a pair of forceps to gently loosen and remove these teeth from your jaw. We then administer medication and suture the area closed. You will return to normal routines after about 24 hours, as a clot needs to form as part of the healing process. If necessary, we can remove sutures in a follow-up visit.
Enjoy Comfortable Tooth Extraction With Charlottesville Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Centers
We want to help you enjoy a healthy and strong smile, avoiding the risks of problems for your oral health. Set aside some time to meet with our team at Charlottesville Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Centers by calling us at (434) 282-2275 at our Charlottesville-Berkshire location today!