As we approach adulthood, this means that up to four new teeth could erupt. Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, could mean serious trouble for the health, function, and appearance of your smile. To help protect your smile, your Santa Rosa , CA, oral surgeons talk about wisdom tooth removal.
The Dangers of Wisdom Teeth
The arrival of these teeth could mean serious trouble as our smiles have evolved to accommodate 28 teeth comfortably, and this pushes that number to 32 in the same space. Which means the teeth could have little room, leading to a painful partial eruption known as an impaction. Dental misalignment could arrive too, altering your smile’s appearance and increasing the risk of poor oral health. Infection and even damaged teeth could be a complication too. Which is why we want to remove them prior to eruption, protecting smiles from these major impacts!
Steps to Keep You Comfortable
First, we’re going to gather detailed digital x-rays of your smile so we can identify the position of the teeth and whether they threaten your smile. We then plan the procedure to avoid any sinus cavities and nerve tissues. To ensure you’re comfortable throughout the entire treatment process, we will administer a local numbing agent to the areas around the teeth. We also have dental sedation, such as nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or even IV. These help you enter a calm and relaxed state, with little to no memory of the treatment at all. The sedation may take time to wear off, so be sure you have a friend or family member ready to bring you home afterward.
The Extraction Process
Once you’re comfortable, we will open the gums above the teeth to reach and remove them. We then suture the area closed, and may provide medication to help preserve the area. We will send you home with aftercare instructions for the next day or two, after which you can return to normal activities. We will also provide prescriptions for medications to keep you comfortable and aid in the healing process. We will check on your situation and remove sutures in a follow-up visit.
If you have any questions about how we remove wisdom teeth, or if you need an appointment for yourself or the teen in your life, then contact our team today. There is still time to see us and put your 2022 dental insurance benefits to use before they expire.
Do You Have Questions About Oral Surgery?
Our team wants to help you avoid the complications of these new molars. If you would like to learn more about removing your third molars, then contact your Santa Rosa, CA, oral surgeons by calling 707-545-4625.
