Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Teaneck, NJ
 Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt at the back of the jawline when you reach adulthood. These third molars are the toughest of all teeth. They play a significant role in grinding food.
However, not all people develop wisdom teeth. Your mouth might not have adequate space to accommodate all wisdom teeth. As a result, they may erupt partially or fail to emerge. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause several dental problems. They might erode your jawbone, misalign neighboring teeth, or inflame the gums. They can also cause sinus issues, nerve damage, or form cysts.
When oral health problems result from wisdom teeth, the only practical solution is to extract them. Visit RJ Dental for safe wisdom tooth extraction and dental care.
What Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Wisdom tooth extraction is the removal of impacted molars. Your wisdom teeth might fail to emerge properly, prompting dental extraction. Our oral surgeon can recommend two types of wisdom tooth removal.
These extraction methods include a simple or a surgical extraction. The appropriate treatment depends on the severity of the impaction.
Benefits of Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause all sorts of dental issues, in addition to wisdom tooth pain. They might damage neighboring teeth, deteriorate the jawbone, or increase the risk of gum disease. Wisdom tooth extraction can help prevent these problems.
This procedure can prevent tooth decay or infection. It can also alleviate discomfort in the face or mouth caused by trapped wisdom teeth. In some cases, our dentist may recommend tooth extraction to prevent tooth misalignment, sinus issues, and overcrowding.
When Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction Necessary?
Wisdom tooth extraction is usually unnecessary if your wisdom teeth are healthy and aligned correctly. We only recommend tooth extraction if your wisdom teeth are the source of dental issues. If left intact, problematic wisdom teeth will likely cause dental caries, recurring oral tumors, or periodontitis.
You may be a good candidate for wisdom tooth removal if it affects the neighboring teeth or overcrowds the mouth, leading to tooth misalignment.
The Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure
Wisdom tooth extraction is an outpatient procedure, though it is still considered oral surgery. The appropriate extraction option depends on the severity of the impaction. Our dentists may recommend a simple extraction if the affected wisdom tooth is above the gum line. A surgical extraction is the appropriate treatment for trapped wisdom teeth.
Before the procedure, we will inform you what to expect before and after and the available sedation options. For a simple extraction, we often use local anesthesia to numb the area and make you comfortable. Our dentist will then use dental forceps and elevators to remove the impacted wisdom tooth.
A surgical extraction is more involved but does not require an overnight stay.
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We will administer IV sedation or general anesthesia to put you to sleep throughout the procedure.
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Our dentist will then incise a small cut on the gum to expose the trapped teeth before surgically removing it. We will place gauze on the area to stop the bleeding.
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After that, pain medications and antibiotics will be administered to help with recovery after tooth extraction. |
Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
We typically classify impacted wisdom teeth based on the angle of the erupting tooth.
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Vertical impaction is when the affected tooth remains trapped under the gum but in the correct alignment.
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Horizontal impaction occurs when the wisdom tooth develops at a 90-degree angle on its side.
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Mesial impaction is when the affected tooth erupts above the gum but grows angled to the front molars.
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Lastly, distal impaction occurs when the tooth erupts backward. |
Wisdom Tooth Extraction Aftercare
The recovery duration will depend on the extraction method and your commitment to following aftercare guidelines. Healing after a simple tooth extraction might take a few days. Recovering from a surgical extraction might require about two weeks.
We will give you antibiotics to help prevent infections and pain medications to alleviate discomfort. Take your medications as instructed by our dentist. Avoid strenuous work and intense exercise for a few weeks to stimulate clotting. Refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol for a few days until you heal.
Your diet should consist of soft foods to aid recovery. As for drinks, avoid hot beverages. Remember to rinse your mouth with warm salt water or antiseptic mouthwash to prevent bacterial growth.
Common FAQs About Wisdom Tooth Extraction
You might have questions about wisdom tooth extraction as you await your scheduled procedure at our dental clinic. Here, we answer the most common FAQs about wisdom tooth extraction.
Does wisdom tooth extraction hurt?
Wisdom tooth extraction is a painless procedure since we administer various anesthetics to make you calm and comfortable. We might provide general anesthesia to make you sleep throughout the operation. After successful extraction, we will give you pain medications to alleviate discomfort.
How long does it take to recover from wisdom tooth extraction?
The recovery duration will depend on the extraction method and your commitment to following aftercare guidelines. Healing after a simple tooth extraction might take a few days. Recovering from a surgical extraction might require about two weeks.
Are there any risks or complications associated with wisdom tooth extraction?
In rare cases, some patients experience complications after wisdom tooth extraction. This might be due to nerve injury, dry socket, or delayed healing. Others include excess bleeding and infection.
Can all wisdom teeth be extracted at once?
We can remove all wisdom teeth at once, saving traveling time and dental visits. However, we only extract wisdom teeth that are likely to cause oral health issues.
Is there an age limit for wisdom tooth extraction?
Wisdom tooth extraction has no age limit. However, older patients are more likely to develop complications. For this reason, patients should consider wisdom tooth removal as soon as their teeth start causing problems.
Restore Your Oral Health with Wisdom Tooth Extraction in NJ
Contact RJ Dental for safe and effective wisdom tooth extraction. Our team is ready to answer your questions about wisdom tooth extraction. Call us in Teaneck, NJ at (551) 369-2001 or Roselle, NJ at (908) 488-5005 to schedule. |
