WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTIONS – ORMOND BEACH, FL

Don’t Let Wisdom Teeth Damage Your Smile

Dental forceps holding a tooth after wisdom tooth extractions in Ormond Beach

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

Dental X ray with the wisdom teeth highlighted red
  • Full or Partial Impaction
  • Serious Infection
  • Bite Shifting Out of Alignment
  • Continuous Oral Pain or Pressure

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Dental X ray with the wisdom teeth highlighted red

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

Young woman holding the side of her jaw in pain
  • Partially Erupted Teeth are Loosened
  • Fully Impacted Teeth Require Gum Incisions
  • Sedation is Available for Additional Comfort

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Young woman holding the side of her jaw in pain

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

Young woman smiling outdoors on sunny day
  • Patient Will Need to Be Driven Home
  • Gauze is Placed Over Surgical Sites
  • Cold Compress Can Alleviate Swelling
  • Avoid Surgical Sites When Brushing
  • Eat Soft Foods for a Few Days

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Young woman smiling outdoors on sunny day

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

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.