Wisdom tooth removal is one of the most common types of oral surgery. While having your wisdom teeth removed may sound scary, the procedure is considered safe, routine, and an effective way to prevent oral health complications from occurring in the future. At Legacy Surgery, our experienced team is here to show you how comfortable and convenient having your wisdom teeth extracted can be. Here's what you need to know about how wisdom teeth are removed before scheduling your consultation.
Wisdom teeth are a set of molars located in the back of your mouth. Our ancestors' wisdom teeth helped us chew through tough meats and raw food. While they used to fit comfortably in a person's mouth, the human jaw is no longer as big as it once was. This means wisdom teeth can lead to many problems when they emerge, including pushing against other teeth and causing pain.
Unlike our ancestors, modern humans no longer need wisdom teeth to survive. On the contrary, wisdom teeth commonly cause dental problems if left to their own devices since our mouths no longer have enough room for them, including shifting teeth and oral pain. Most people's wisdom teeth will begin to emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. For this reason, it's common for dentists to recommend wisdom teeth extractions around this time
Wisdom teeth extraction is painless, thanks to the local sedation or general anesthesia used during surgery. Depending on the condition of your mouth, Dr. Kesecker will recommend which form of anesthesia would be most appropriate for you to ensure you stay as comfortable as possible.
During the extraction procedure, Dr. Kesecker will ensure that your mouth is completely numb and relaxed before making a small cut in your gum tissue. This will expose the wisdom tooth and the bone surrounding it. Once he has removed the tooth and debris around it, he'll close the incision with stitches and apply gauze to the affected area to stop the bleeding. Wisdom tooth extraction usually takes around one hour but could be longer or shorter, depending on your needs. Someone will need to drive you home after the surgery since you'll likely be groggy and uncomfortable when it's over.
After your wisdom tooth extraction, it's normal to experience mild discomfort, swelling, and slight bleeding. Be sure to follow Dr. Kesecker's instructions to make sure your recovery goes as smoothly and quickly as possible. In the first 24 hours after surgery, during the recovery time, do not use a straw, smoke, eat hard foods, or brush around the affected area. While you'll be free to resume normal activities as soon as you feel comfortable (usually within a day or two), the area can take up to six weeks during the healing process. With this in mind, eating soft foods is best, and avoiding consuming anything hot until the extraction site has healed.
During the removal of wisdom teeth, you are protecting your oral health. Our dental services, like simple tooth extraction, can help prevent severe pain and other issues that could someday arise. During the initial evaluation of the wisdom teeth site, Dr. Kesecker and his team of dental professionals are dedicated to helping manage your oral health. This first step is contacting us at Legacy Surgery to schedule your appointment and learn more about how wisdom tooth extraction could benefit your oral health.
