Wisdom Teeth Removal in Odessa, FL
CLICK TO CALLWHEN WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL BECOMES NECESSARY
Your wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that develop and appear between the ages of 17 and 24. While these sets of teeth used to be essential for human survival, they are no longer necessary, and in fact, can cause quite a bit of harm if not removed. Wisdom teeth removal has become a common and routine procedure to prevent overcrowding, discomfort, and damage to your second (back) molars.
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HOW MANY WISDOM TEETH CAN YOU HAVE?
While it is common to believe that you’ll have 4 wisdom teeth in total, 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom, a patient can develop anywhere between 0-4.
IS WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL NECESSARY?
Wisdom teeth removal isn’t necessary for everyone, but it is recommended for the vast majority of individuals. This is because our jaws are not large enough to accommodate our wisdom teeth, so when they erupt from the gum line, they often damage the teeth directly next to them.
If this happens to you, and it’s left untreated, the damage from the teeth can have a domino effect on all of your teeth, causing severe discomfort. This is why dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth before they become an issue, as this helps avoid serious complications if/when they do erupt.
WHAT IS AN IMPACTED WISDOM TOOTH?
An impacted wisdom tooth is one that doesn’t have enough space to erupt from the gum line. When this happens, the tooth can become trapped, which can damage the surrounding teeth, and cause complications like sensitivity, tension, pressure, teeth realignment, and even infections. Impacted wisdom teeth are one of the most common reasons why people have to have their wisdom teeth removed.
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KNOWING WHEN IT’S TIME TO REMOVE YOUR WISDOM TEETH
The best time to have your wisdom teeth removed is before the roots have a chance to fully develop. When the wisdom teeth are just molars, and the roots haven’t grown down into the socket enough to support the tooth, the surgery is less complicated and the recovery time is shorter. Wisdom teeth removal is recommended for people in their teens or early to late twenties, as this is when the teeth are typically just molars.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH RECOVERY
Recovery Time
While recovery from wisdom teeth removal is different for everyone, it usually takes 3-5 days before most people feel ready to resume daily activities, and a few weeks to fully recover. Since wisdom teeth removal is a surgical procedure, it’s likely that you’ll experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the days following the surgery.
Post-Op Guidelines
Our team will provide instructions on pain management options, liquid diet recommendations, and which soft foods to consume in the weeks after the surgery. It’s important to take it easy during your recovery, follow the recommended guidelines, and avoid using a straw, smoking, or drinking alcohol as this can cause dry sockets.
Dry Socket Complications
Dry sockets are a condition where the blood clot that forms in the socket after surgery, dissolves prematurely or gets dislodged. It happens in a small percentage, 2-5% of wisdom tooth extractions, and upwards of 25% in impacted wisdom tooth removal surgeries. You can tell that you have a dry socket if the pain becomes worse or intensifies after wisdom teeth removal. If you believe that you have a dry socket, schedule a follow-up appointment immediately and a medicated paste will be applied to prevent infection, and promote healing.
WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL IN ODESSA, FL
If you think you may need your wisdom teeth removed, or you have questions about the procedure, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our dentists here at Spring Haven Dental. You can get get started by scheduling an appointment below.
