Impacted Wisdom Tooth
West Linn, OR
Your wisdom teeth are the third set of molars in the most distant jaw position in your mouth. They received their nickname due to their late growth, they generally make their appearance in later adolescence, when you are more wise. Their late appearance is often problematic for your other permanent teeth, frequently causing problems for your oral health. At Roane Family Dental, we specialize in wisdom teeth extractions to prevent or alleviate potential issues.
Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth are a bit of a funny switch in dental philosophy. Generally, we strive to save natural teeth whenever possible. We will make recommendations to strengthen, rebuild, and protect natural teeth. When it comes to wisdom teeth, we will most often recommend extraction. This is due to the problematic positioning of wisdom teeth. Problems include:
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Lack of Room: Wisdom teeth frequently have insufficient room for proper growth. Your permanent teeth are already in alignment, possibly with the assistance of braces, and there simply isn’t room for your wisdom teeth to properly grow. Because of that, they may be unable to come in, or they may push your other teeth out of the way changing your bite.
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Impacted: An impacted tooth is a tooth that is unable to come in either entirely or partially. If the tooth is unable to fully rise up and above the gum line, then it will leave space or pockets between the tooth and gum where bacteria can settle and hide. This will lead to infection and the destruction of tissue.
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Disease and Decay: Wisdom teeth are often much more difficult to clean, or keep clean through regular brushing and flossing. This is due to their distant positioning, or being impacted. As a result, they are prime candidates for the development of disease and decay. |
Wisdom Teeth Removal
The extraction of impacted wisdom teeth begins with a consultation. We will examine the teeth through the assistance of digital x-ray images. This will help us understand the positioning and space available for the wisdom teeth. We will then discuss a treatment plan, which may include their removal. Generally, we can remove some or all of your wisdom teeth in one appointment. We will discuss your treatment plan with you individually.
Surgery begins with a local anesthetic, this will numb the area and eliminate pain. We can also provide additional sedation options to provide a more comfortable experience for you or your teen.
With the patient comfortable, we can begin the extraction. Wisdom teeth often require a surgical extraction, this means that we will make incisions in the gums to expose the teeth and supporting bone. The number of incisions we make depends on the number of wisdom teeth being removed. Generally, patients are having all four wisdom teeth removed at the same time, but cases vary, some patients don’t even have four wisdom teeth present.
With cuts made to the soft tissue, and the tooth and underlying bone have been exposed, we can begin the removal process. This will often include the quartering, or breaking, of the tooth into several pieces. This will make it easier to remove the tooth. We may also need to remove a portion of the surrounding bone.
Following the extraction of the teeth, we will suture the incisions and pack the area with gauze. This will help to reduce the amount of bleeding and expedite the healing process. Between the sedation and traumatic nature of the work being done, we will recommend arranging a ride home following your procedure.
Before you leave, Dr. Matt Roane will give you a set of post-operative instructions. Most people will have little or no pain after their surgery, this is because of the pain relief medication we applied. Unfortunately, the effects of the medication will wear off and you will be uncomfortable for a period of time. Be sure to follow our instructions closely to reduce your risk of postoperative complications. If you experience excessive swelling, bleeding, or pain after the first few days, be sure to call us as soon as possible.
Schedule A Consultation Appointment
If you have impacted wisdom teeth, you may need multiple tooth extractions. Call (503) 657-1215 to schedule your consultation appointment today! |
