Wisdom Teeth Removal in Puyallup, WA (Washington)
Also serving Federal Way, Tacoma, Sumner, Milton, Graham, and Auburn, WA.
The
removal of wisdom teeth has become so commonplace that is almost
a right of passage for young adults. Wisdom teeth are a type
of molar that is found in the very back of your mouth. There
are four wisdom teeth: upper left, upper right, lower left, and
lower right. These teeth usually appear in late teens or early
twenties but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to lack
of room in the jaw or angle of entry. The most common type of
impacted wisdom tooth is “mesial”, meaning that the
tooth is angled forward toward the front of your mouth.
When a tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed. If it is
not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or even
severe pain. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully
erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible
to tooth decay, recurring infections, and even gum disease.
Each patient’s situation is unique, and your dentist will
take x-rays and discuss your particular needs with you. If your
dentist recommends removal of your wisdom teeth, it is best to
have them removed sooner than later. As a general rule, wisdom
teeth are removed in the late teens or early twenties because
there is a greater chance that the teeth’s roots have not
fully formed and the bone surrounding the teeth is less dense.
These two factors can make extraction easier.
In order to remove a wisdom tooth, your dentist first needs
access to it. To make this process most comfortable, your dentist
will numb the area with a local anesthetic. Your dentist can
even use additional medication to safely sedate you during the
extraction if you are feeling nervous about the procedure. Because
the impacted tooth is frequently under the gums and still encased
in your jaw bone, your dentist will need to remove a portion
of the covering bone to extract the tooth. To minimize the amount
of bone that must be removed, your dentist will often “section” your
wisdom tooth so that each section can be removed through a small
opening in the bone.
Once the teeth have been extracted, the healing process begins.
Healing time varies depending on the degree of difficulty related
to the extraction. Your dentist will share with you what to expect
and provide instructions for an efficient healing. |
