Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that usually begin to erupt during the late teenage years and early twenties of most people. Unfortunately, these teeth often cause more problems than they are worth. Many people do not have enough room in their mouth for the additional teeth. Even those who do may find these molars come in crooked, shifting the rest of their permanent teeth. The removal of wisdom teeth is one of the most common procedures at any Oral Surgery Practice in Summit NJ. It’s a basic surgery, and most patients can resume normal activities shortly after.
The majority of patients are placed under general anesthesia for wisdom tooth extraction. The anesthesia is administered through an IV line. Once the patient is fully sedated, the dentist will begin to remove each tooth. For teeth that have already begun to erupt through the gum tissue, the dentist will pull them using extracting forceps. A fully erupted tooth can be extracted in a few minutes. If the tooth is still under the gums, the dentist will need to make an incision to surgically remove the tooth. After all of the teeth are removed; the dentist will flush out any debris from the extraction site. If an incision was made, the hole would be stitched shut.
Patients need to keep the extraction site clean after surgery. Most dentists recommend rinsing the area with warm salt water several times a day. Avoid drinking with a straw until the holes begin to close. Sucking or spitting may result in a painful condition, known as a dry socket. This occurs when the blood clot covering the extraction site becomes dislodged, exposing the jaw bone. The patient’s cheeks and neck may swell, but this should subside after a few days. Slight bruising is also common. Pain medications are often prescribed to keep discomfort to a minimum.
Recommends removing wisdom teeth before they become a problem. Extracting these unneeded molars can prevent jaw pain, shifting teeth, earaches, and tooth decay. This simple oral surgery can usually be competed as an outpatient procedure. A visit to an Oral Surgery Practice in Summit NJ can help determine if extracting your wisdom teeth is the best choice for your mouth.
