Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Burbank
At BrightCraft Dental and Laser, we care about your oral health and believe in treating dental problems while saving your teeth. However, we may recommend tooth extraction as a last resort in some cases, especially if you’re experiencing pain in the back of your mouth and it’s caused by your wisdom teeth.
What are wisdom teeth?
✓ Wisdom teeth (also called third molars) are your last permanent teeth to appear (erupt) in your mouth.
✓ They are located at the back of your mouth and usually do not erupt until you’re 17 to 25 years old.
✓ Sometimes, they do come through at a later stage or may not even develop at all.
✓ Some wisdom get stuck while erupting, leaving a flap of gum over the erupting tooth.
✓ Others are known to over-erupt or grow too long.
✓ When wisdom teeth eruption leads to complications, it is may require an extraction.
Do I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?
Some people do not have to remove their wisdom teeth as it neither causes pain or discomfort. However, you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed if you’re experiencing dental issues such as:
✓ Infected and swollen gums
✓ Cyst formation
✓ Ulcers
✓ Food trapping with associated bas taste and inflammation
✓ Resorption that causes cavities
✓ Difficulty cleaning and associated decay
✓ Crowding that can inhibit orthodontic treatment
Having your wisdom teeth extracted is not a decision to be taken lightly. We recommend you schedule an appointment with us at BrightCraft Dental and Laser so we can carry out a comprehensive examination to assess your entire mouth visually as well as check the wisdom teeth’s alignment and condition. If we spot any abnormalities, we may recommend extraction of one or more teeth.
What is the process of extracting wisdom teeth?
The procedure for wisdom teeth extraction is similar to that of any other teeth extraction in the mouth. We administer local anesthesia to make the surrounding areas numb. You may or may not feel a little pressure when the tooth is being extracted from the jawbone.
In some complex cases where the tooth is beneath the gums or only partially grown out above the gums, we may make a tiny incision on the gum to get access to the tooth top. Depending on the situation, we may also have to cut the tooth into smaller pieces to pull it out.
The duration of the procedure varies between individuals. For simple cases, it may take just a minute while it can last up to half an hour for some individuals.
What is the recovery process?
After your wisdom teeth surgery, you may experience soreness and swelling for a few days. This is normal and expected. During the recovery period, the following are best practices to adhere to:
✓ Apply an ice pack at home for the next 24 hours to avoid swelling
✓ Slowly open and close your mouth to facilitate circulation of blood in the jaws
✓ Avoid brushing the teeth after the wisdom tooth extraction. Follow this till we tip you to resume it.
✓ Keep your mouth hydrated by sipping in a gulp of water every 10 to 15 minutes
✓ Stick to the medication prescribed by your dentist
Is wisdom teeth extraction really painful?
✓ At BrightCraft Dental and Laser, we take every precaution to offer pain-free teeth extraction services. Ideally, you should feel some pain during the procedure but we use anesthesia to numb the pain. If you’re still anxious about the procedure, we may use both anesthesia and sedation.
✓ After the extraction, you may feel pain and soreness. At this point, we usually recommend pain relievers and may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
What are the advantages of wisdom teeth extraction?
✓ Alleviates pain caused by wisdom tooth
✓ Prevents damage to nearby teeth
✓ Decrease the risk of oral disease and inflammation
Book an appointment today!
Don’t wait if you’re suffering from painful wisdom teeth. At BrightCraft Dental and Laser, we go out of our way to create a relaxing environment that’s conducive to your mental and physical comfort. Contact us today and relieve yourself.
