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Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom teeth or third molars are one of the most common extraction procedures performed. Although this is a common procedure, patients are often nervous prior to their appointment. In a case such as wisdom teeth removal, where patients are nervous, it is important to feel and know you are inexperienced, caring hands.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
About Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth usually come in during your late teens to early twenties and are your third and final set of molars. They are unnecessary remnants from when human jaws were larger and wider, and could comfortably hold more teeth. But because our jaws have evolved to become smaller and narrower, there is often not enough room in the mouth for these third molars.
As a result, many wisdom teeth are impacted, meaning they do not emerge or develop properly. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a host of oral health issues including severe pain, damage to and shifting of other teeth, tooth decay, and infection. We highly recommend the removal of impacted wisdom teeth as soon as possible, before they can cause further dental issues. Younger patients tend to recover more quickly from impacted wisdom tooth extractions as well.
About Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Different Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Mesial impactions are the most common type of wisdom tooth impaction: the tooth is angled forward towards the front of the mouth and pushes against the molar in front of it. Whether or not this type of impacted wisdom tooth needs to be removed depends on the severity of the angle. Mesial impactions often lead to a partial eruption, where only part of the crown will erupt past the gums.
Distal impactions are rare, and are the opposite of mesial impactions: the tooth’s crown is angled towards the back of the mouth. If the angle is slight, it will likely erupt normally and your dentist or oral surgeon may wait a year or two to see whether or not it should be removed. If the angle is closer to 90 degrees, there is a high chance that the tooth will eventually impact with bone and not erupt correctly. In this case, the tooth most often needs to be removed to protect your oral health.
Horizontal impactions is usually the worst and most painful type of wisdom tooth impaction to have, and is often completely under the surface of the gum and pushed against the molar next to it. A horizontal impaction requires x-rays and a skilled oral surgeon to remove. The procedure often requires removing some jaw bone, and is usually performed while under general anesthesia or IV sedation. Healing times can also be longer due to the surgical removal of bone.
Vertical impactions is the “best” type of wisdom tooth impaction to have - it is almost a normal orientation and often doesn’t require removal since there is a high chance the tooth will erupt and fit into the mouth without any issues. If extraction is necessary, it is because the tooth causes pressure to its neighboring molar or the jawbone. Vertically impacted wisdom teeth can typically be extracted easily with only local anesthetic.
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Types of Wisdom Teeth
The Procedures
​Wisdom Tooth Removal
The Procedure
At Lexington Dental, we offer wisdom teeth removal with Nitrous Oxide in order to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. It usually takes under one hour to remove wisdom teeth, depending on the complexity of the case. We advise patients to rest, treat the extraction site very gently, eat soft foods only and use painkillers as needed for a few days following the oral surgery. With proper care, patients can generally resume normal activities 3-4 days after wisdom tooth removal.
Contact us to schedule a wisdom tooth removal consultation! During your consultation, Dr. Eunyoung Shim and the team at Lexington Dental will thoroughly explain the procedure, cost, and what to expect post-surgery.
Need a dentist right now?
If you have any questions or are ready to schedule your appointment, please contact us today!
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