Our third molars, also referred to as wisdom teeth, don’t arrive until we reach our late teens and early 20s. For a few, they pose no major risk for the smile. However, for most of us wisdom teeth could mean painful impaction, misalignment, and more. In today’s blog, your Santa Rosa , CA, oral surgeons explain how we gently extract these teeth.
The Third Molars
These consist of up to four new teeth that don’t arrive until we reach our teens and early adulthood years. One or two could erupt, or potentially all four could. Over the millennia, our mouths have changed to comfortably accommodate 28 teeth, but this number pushes it to 32. Forcing new teeth into a space that honestly cannot accommodate them could lead to serious problems for your health, and for the beauty of your smile too.
Dangers of Impaction
For example, your teeth could only have room to partially erupt, leading to a painful impaction. Their arrival could also damage nearby teeth, causing dental infection, or even lead to dental misalignment. Along with changes to your smile’s appearance, misalignment could also lead to issues like tooth decay and gum disease. To prevent these issues altogether, we may remove them before they even erupt.
Removal with General Extraction
We start by carefully examining your smile with CBCT technology. We obtain clear, digital, images of your smile, including what is beneath the gums and oral structures. We then assess the risk posed by your wisdom teeth. If we find they need to be removed, we plan the treatment with precision to avoid sensitive nerve tissue. The procedure begins with the administration of a numbing agent, as well as dental sedation to ensure you enter a calm and relaxed state, with little to no memory of the procedure itself. Next, we open the area above the teeth so we can access and remove them. We then suture the area closed. A friend or family will bring you home, along with detailed instructions and prescriptions for any necessary medications.
In a follow-up visit, we will remove the sutures. We also suggest general extraction to address damaged or infected teeth, or to make room for orthodontic treatment. If you lose a tooth to other oral health issues, we could discuss replacement options using implant technology. If you have any questions, then give our team a call today.
Do You Have Questions About Extracting Teeth?
Our team is ready to help you avoid major complications for the health and beauty of your smile. To learn more about the benefits of removing your third molars, then schedule a consultation by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.
