Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common oral surgery procedures performed in our offices. Wisdom teeth (also called third molars) are usually the last teeth to develop. While some wisdom teeth grow in normally, most mouths are too small to accommodate a third set of molars. Leaving wisdom teeth untreated can lead to complications such as tooth impaction, infections, cysts, and dental crowding, which is why it is so important to receive regular dental examinations and detect wisdom teeth early.
In most cases, our oral surgeons recommend having wisdom teeth removed before the teeth are fully formed. The ideal time for removal is usually between the early teens and early twenties, but even if your wisdom teeth are fully grown in, our oral surgeons are experts at extracting problem teeth. If you are unsure whether or not your wisdom teeth need to be taken out, contact us to schedule a consultation. One of our expert oral surgeons will perform an oral examination and some scans to determine the best course of action for you.
Why do wisdom teeth need to be taken out?
Wisdom teeth can cause a variety of problems when they do not have adequate space to develop correctly. A few of the oral health problems caused by wisdom teeth include:
- Development of cysts and tumors
- Infections
- Pain and tenderness near the tooth sites
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Damage to neighboring teeth
- Dental crowding and shifting
- Bone loss
It is important to ensure you receive regular oral examinations from a dental professional, even if you do not feel discomfort. Wisdom teeth often grow beneath your gums, making it difficult to detect them without an X-ray or 3D scan. Early detection will allow your doctor to prevent issues such as those listed above. Do not wait until you are experiencing pain or discomfort before seeing your dental professional for a consultation.
What can I expect during a wisdom teeth removal procedure?
Most patients decide to undergo IV anesthesia during their wisdom teeth removal, allowing them to sleep comfortably throughout the procedure. You may also receive a local anesthetic or nitrous oxide to calm any nerves and eliminate pain during the extraction. During your initial consultation, we will discuss all of your options for sedation and help you select the type of anesthesia that is best for you. Oral surgeons have undergone a significant amount of training to obtain the highest licensure for the safe administration of outpatient anesthesia. We equip our surgical suites with advanced instruments and monitoring equipment to provide you with the best possible care.
To remove an impacted wisdom tooth, your oral surgeon will first make a small opening in the gums if they are covering the tooth. Next, any bone covering your tooth will be removed to clear the path for extraction. Once a path is clear, your surgeon will remove the tooth. Depending on the size and developmental stage of your tooth, your oral surgeon may need to break the tooth into smaller pieces to efficiently remove it. Removing smaller pieces allows the oral surgeon to make a smaller incision and remove less bone above the tooth, which makes the healing process quicker and easier. Following removal, the tooth socket may need to be stitched using dissolvable sutures. If your wisdom teeth have fully grown in, they can likely be extracted just like any other adult tooth.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Our oral surgeons have undergone thousands of hours of specialized training in the surgical extraction of wisdom teeth. They have years of experience removing wisdom teeth at all stages of development, and their extensive surgical training makes them experts in extracting teeth, administering anesthesia, and minimizing post-surgical discomfort.
If you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, contact us today to schedule a consultation appointment. Your oral surgeon will work with you to find a solution to your oral health problems. During your consultation, you will be able to ask questions and discuss anesthesia options while your surgeon forms a personalized treatment strategy that fits your needs.
If you have any questions about wisdom teeth removal in Glendale, Arcadia, Mission Hills, Newhall and Pasadena, California, and to schedule an appointment with Dr. Cho, Dr. Hammoudeh, Dr. Odono, Dr. Tung or Dr. Urata, please call Pacific Coast Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery today.