As we approach our late teens or early 20s, up to four new molars could erupt in the rear of the mouth. Known as wisdom teeth, or third molars, these may cause major problems for the health, function, and beauty of your smile. In today’s blog, your Santa Rosa, CA, oral and maxillofacial surgeons talk about protecting smiles with wisdom tooth extraction, and how we can conduct this procedure with comfort and precision using advanced technology.
The Risks of Wisdom Teeth
What risks do wisdom teeth pose for your smile? Since there is usually no room for them, when they arrive this could cause a painful partial eruption known as an impaction. They could shift teeth to cause misalignment, which changes your smile’s appearance and increases the risk of issues like tooth decay and gum disease. They alter the balance of your bite, which makes the onset of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding) more likely. They are also linked to infection and damaged teeth. While they can be removed after they erupt, this could mean there are still issues with damaged teeth and misalignment that need to be addressed. But by extracting wisdom teeth before they erupt, we can protect your smile from these complications completely.
Planning Treatment
To begin, our team will take detailed digital x-rays and CBCT images of your smile. We can pinpoint the position of your third molars, and assess the risks they pose for your smile. With these images, we can plan treatment to avoid contact with blood vessels, nerve tissues, and sinus cavities.
Bracketing Teeth
Sometimes, we could end up with impacted teeth due to factors like premature loss of baby teeth or injury to the smile. In these cases, we may not have to remove the teeth. Instead, we could bracket them into place. We attach a bracket to the tooth in question and another to a nearby tooth. We connect them with a chain and then adjust tension in the chain to slowly move the tooth into proper alignment. We will likely work alongside your orthodontist throughout the process.
Tooth Extraction
Now, what about the tooth extraction? If you have wisdom teeth poised to erupt, we will extract them to protect the appearance, function, and health of your smile. After imaging your smile and planning treatment, we will open the gums above the teeth so we can access these third molars and remove them with a pair of forceps. The process only takes one visit, and in fact, sometimes can be done in as little as a half hour. We then suture the area closed and provide detailed aftercare instructions. You usually return to your normal routine after a day or two of rest.
Anesthesia
We know the idea of oral surgery can make people nervous, but we take steps to ensure our patients are comfortable! For example, we can administer a local anesthetic to numb the area in question. We have experience with oral surgery, and our team often volunteers with the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Trauma Team. We also follow the same strict guidelines and protocols expected of a hospital operating room in our surgical suites.
Sedation
Our team could also help anxious patients and those with special needs by offering dental sedation. With options like nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation, we can help you enter a deep state of calm and relaxation, with little to no memory of the procedure. You then enjoy a comfortable visit and a positive experience, even if you are having one or up to four wisdom teeth removed. We could provide prescriptions for medications to aid in the healing process and keep you comfortable. We want a clot to form and not dislodge, so be gentle when you brush and floss, eat only soft tissues, and avoid prodding the site with your tongue.
If you have any questions about how our team will plan and complete a wisdom tooth extraction, or if you want to schedule a visit for you or your teen, then contact our office right away. We want to help return your smile to normal oral health and function, and ensure you avoid issues that could alter the appearance of your smile too.
Talk to Us About Extracting Wisdom Teeth
We want to help protect your smile from painful tooth impactions by extracting your wisdom teeth, a process we plan in detail and make sure is comfortable for our patients. When you want to have your third molars removed, feel free to contact Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA by calling (707) 545-4625.
