Wisdom Teeth Extraction – Ormond Beach, FL
Don’t Let Wisdom Teeth Damage Your Smile
The wisdom teeth usually start to make themselves known in your mouth between the ages of 17 and 25. If they become trapped beneath your gums, or if they start to cause pain that only grows worse over time, you should get in touch with Dr. Nawrocki and Dr. Dennis as soon as possible to see if a wisdom teeth extraction is necessary. We can perform this procedure right here at Brown & Nawrocki, so you don’t have to worry about seeing an unfamiliar specialist to protect your smile.
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to schedule an appointment if someone in your family might need to have their wisdom teeth removed soon.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are also known as third molars. They’re the last set of teeth to erupt in your mouth, but since all of the other teeth are already in place by that point, there often just isn’t enough room for them. The result is impaction, meaning the wisdom teeth end up trapped underneath the gums or in the jawbone. The longer they stay trapped, the more pain they’ll cause, and the more damage they’ll do to the rest of your mouth.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Wisdom tooth removal isn’t always necessary. Sometimes the third molars can erupt without any problems. Unfortunately, this often isn’t the case; most of the time, it’s recommended to remove the wisdom teeth before they cause any permanent damage to the mouth. Common reasons for wisdom tooth extraction include:
- Wisdom teeth that are fully or partially impacted.
- An infection that is causing fever, swelling, and pain.
- The rest of your bite shifting out of alignment.
- Continuous pain or pressure near the back of your mouth where the wisdom teeth are trying to come in.
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
We want you to remain comfortable during your wisdom teeth extraction, so first we’ll administer local anesthesia to the area we’ll be working on. Sedation is also offered if you need it. Once we’re sure you’re in a state where we can work on your smile without discomfort, we’ll begin the extraction process. Partially erupted teeth can be gently loosened with special instruments until they’re detached from the jaw. Fully impacted teeth require a more surgical approach where the gums are opened and each molar is removed in sections.
Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Gauze will be placed over the surgical sites to reduce bleeding. Make sure you have a trusted adult to drive you home after the surgery. Take any prescribed pain medications according to your dentist’s instructions, and use a cold compress to alleviate any swelling that occurs. When brushing your teeth, avoid the surgical sites entirely so that you don’t irritate them. Plan on eating liquid and soft foods for at least a few days; you can return to a normal diet once you start to feel more like your normal self.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs
Do you need to get your wisdom teeth out soon? You may still have some unanswered questions about the procedure, so we’re here to help! Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about wisdom tooth extractions in Ormond Beach. If you don’t see the information that you’ve been looking for below, don’t worry. Give us a call, and we’d be happy to walk you through the treatment process so that you know what to expect.
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
Today, wisdom teeth seem to cause nothing but trouble, but they were actually beneficial for our early human ancestors. Early humans ate a diet that consisted of raw foods, including raw meat, berries, nuts, roots, and leaves. They didn’t cut up or cook their food either. Chewing these tough foods requires a broader jaw and strong molars. Since their jaws were larger, the wisdom teeth rarely caused problems when erupting. In modern times, our food is much easier to eat because we prepare it by cooking, baking, and cutting. Ultimately, our wisdom teeth aren’t usually necessary anymore. Since most people’s jaws aren’t wide enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they often cause more harm than good.
Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?
The first step of wisdom tooth removal is numbing your mouth with a local anesthetic. You will also most likely be sedated, which limits your body’s ability to register pain. Ultimately, you can expect your procedure to be entirely painless. After your procedure, some soreness and discomfort are to be expected, but as long as you closely follow the aftercare instructions provided to you, you should feel back to normal in about a week.
How Long Does Wisdom Tooth Surgery Take?
If you are being sedated, it will feel as if barely any time has passed. On average, it takes about 15-20 minutes to extract a wisdom tooth, so removing all four can take up to 90 minutes. The time it takes varies depending on the tooth’s location, position, whether it’s impacted, and several other factors. Before your procedure, your dentist can give you a more precise estimate of how long your procedure will take so you can plan accordingly.
Why Are Wisdom Teeth Called That?
Because of how problematic they can be, wisdom teeth don’t seem very “wise” at all. The theory is that since these teeth don’t emerge until early adulthood, a person is older than they were when the rest of their teeth erupted. It was believed that with age comes wisdom, hence the name of these teeth.