Wisdom tooth extraction is one of the most common dental surgeries we perform here at Washington Court House Dental. While for some people, wisdom teeth erupt normally — just like their other molars — and cause no problems. But for most people, wisdom teeth don’t erupt properly, causing problems such as infection, pain, swelling, and stiffness, not to mention the pressure from the erupting teeth may move other teeth and disrupt the natural alignment of the teeth. In this case, a wisdom tooth extraction is the best option.
Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure to remove one or more wisdom teeth — the four permanent adult teeth located at the back corners of your mouth. Dr. Michael Pappas, DDS & Dr. Taylor Landgraf, and the Washington Court House Dental team will ensure that you feel comfortable while in our care and that all of your concerns and questions have been addressed.
Why Would You Need to Remove Wisdom Teeth?
If your wisdom teeth align properly, there is enough room in the mouth, and gum tissue is healthy; they do not have to be removed. However, this is rarely the case. You may need to have your wisdom teeth removed if:
- They’re impacted: Teeth that don’t have enough room to erupt into the mouth or develop normally. Impacted wisdom teeth may erupt only partially or not at all.
- They come in at the wrong angle: Your wisdom tooth may come in at an angle toward the back of the mouth, next to the tooth, or at a right angle.
- Your mouth isn’t big enough: As wisdom teeth come through in adulthood, the other teeth in the mouth have already settled into place. Often, there isn’t enough room in the mouth for four large teeth.
- You have cavities or gum disease: It can be difficult to brush or floss your wisdom teeth properly, resulting in cavities or gum disease. Wisdom teeth can also trap food or be difficult to floss, giving cavity-causing bacteria a place to grow, leading to more extensive dental treatments.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery
Here’s what you can expect at your wisdom tooth removal surgery at Washington Court House Dental:
- Sedation: We’ll give you sedation anesthesia through an intravenous (IV) line in your arm. Sedation anesthesia helps you relax during the procedure so you don’t feel any pain. You’ll have limited memory of the procedure.
- Numbing: You’ll also receive local anesthesia with one or more injections near the site of each extraction to numb your gums. Although you’ll feel some pressure and movement, you shouldn’t experience any pain.
- Tissue removal, bone removal, & tooth removal: Once you’re sedated and numb, we’ll make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone and remove the bone that blocks access to the tooth root. We’ll then gently loosen the tooth from any connective tissue in the socket and divide the tooth into sections (if it’s easier to remove it in pieces), and remove the tooth. Finally, we will clean the site of the removed tooth of any debris from the tooth or bone.
- Stitches: Now that the wisdom tooth is gone, we will close the wound to promote healing.
What’s the Recovery Time for Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
It typically takes 3 to 5 days to recover from wisdom tooth extraction surgery. You may have a swollen mouth and cheeks, some mild visible bruising of your cheek, or a stiff or sore jaw during this time.
What to Avoid After a Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery
You can resume normal, daily activities the day after surgery, but avoid any activity that could dislodge stitches or blood clots that form in the empty tooth socket (they help the healing process). For the first 24 hours after the surgery, avoid:
- Strenuous exercise
- Smoking
- Brushing your teeth near the extraction site
- Rinsing or spitting
- Drinking hot drinks
- Eating hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that may scratch your wounds
- Drinking from a straw
Potential Risks of a Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction is a routine procedure, but some potential risks include:
- Dry socket or exposure of bone when the post-surgical blood clot is lost from the site of the surgical wound (socket)
- Infection in the socket from bacteria or trapped food particles
Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extraction
A simple wisdom tooth extraction costs $75–$200 per tooth. However, dental insurance typically covers the cost, so you won’t have to pay out of pocket.
Schedule Your Wisdom Tooth Extraction Appointment Today!
You don’t need to wait for your wisdom teeth to cause problems before acting. At Washington Court House Dental, your wisdom tooth extraction surgery is performed in an environment of optimum safety, with modern monitoring equipment and staff who are experienced in anesthesia techniques. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
