Wisdom teeth can be notoriously problematic, especially during late teenhood and early adulthood. In the United States, studies show that 5 million people get their wisdom teeth removed every year as a preventive measure against painful infections and tooth damage.
While the procedure is quite common, it’s important to note that not everyone will need to get their wisdom teeth extracted in their lifetime. So, before deciding to book a wisdom tooth extraction, getting your teeth checked is a must!
At Tolley Dental, you don’t have to do any of the guesswork. Backed by years of expertise in dentistry, our team is committed to helping patients find long-term relief with affordable, high-quality dental solutions in Winchester, VA.
What Are The Common Problems Caused By Wisdom Teeth?
Your third molars emerge as you age into adulthood, but not everyone has the anatomy to accommodate new teeth. As your mouth gets crowded, your wisdom teeth run the risk of getting stuck under your gums and growing in the wrong direction. This results in impacted wisdom teeth which could potentially cause a wide range of problems, including:
- Swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Jaw swelling or pain
- Bad breath or taste
- Pain when moving mouth
- Sensitive teeth
- Difficulty chewing
- Tooth or gum infections
- Throbbing sensations
- Bacterial growth
Although some mild symptoms might go away on their own, a majority of people will experience recurring eruptions that worsen over time. If left unchecked, you increase your chances of getting tooth decay, infected gums, or damaged teeth. That’s why it’s important to have regular check-ups so that you can detect problematic wisdom teeth before they start wreaking havoc.
When Should You Get Your Wisdom Teeth Treated?
There is no ‘right age’ to get your wisdom teeth extracted. Our dental experts only recommend wisdom tooth extractions if they notice significant red flags during dental check-ups. To make sure you benefit from this intensive procedure, our staff will give you a thorough dental examination with X-rays to determine whether you need an extraction or not. If your wisdom teeth aren’t causing any major problems to your surrounding gums and teeth, you may not need to have them removed at all.
How Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Once you’ve been assessed, we’ll walk you through what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Since it requires invasive surgical techniques, wisdom tooth extractions are done under general, oral, or IV sedatives to minimize pain. At our practice, we follow these standard steps for every appointment:
- First, we carefully expose each tooth by splitting your gums open.
- The wisdom teeth are cut into smaller pieces for easier handling.
- All connective tissues and bones are removed as well.
- We pull each tooth directly from the root and suture the areas.
Wisdom tooth surgery takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour to complete, but it might take longer if you’re getting multiple teeth removed at once. For aftercare, it’s best to avoid rough rinsing, chewing hard food, and smoking to make sure you heal quickly and safely.
Get A Wisdom Teeth Extraction or Treatment At Tolley Dental
Getting your wisdom teeth extracted is a serious operation, so it’s important to get it right the first time around. Otherwise, you could experience unwanted complications even after getting the procedure done.
Book an appointment at Tolley Dental today and we’ll be happy to assess your wisdom teeth and remove them if necessary. Get in touch with us today!