Wisdom Teeth Removal
At Monarch Family Dental of Westminster, our team can help even the most nervous of patients get a wisdom teeth extraction comfortably and affordably. When a wisdom tooth reaches a point where it needs to be extracted, it’s important to act fast in order to prevent any further pain or damage from being sustained. Typically, wisdom teeth will emerge during a person’s late teenage years or in their early 20s. At this point, most of the other 28 teeth will already be in place. As such, there isn’t always a lot of room in a person’s mouth for the wisdom teeth to grow through properly.
Why take wisdom teeth out?
Because of the lack of space, wisdom teeth can sometimes emerge at an angle or get stuck and only partially emerge. Wisdom teeth that grow through like this are known as impacted. Not all impacted wisdom teeth need to be extracted. If you have an impacted wisdom tooth that is not causing you any pain, there is often no reason in getting these teeth removed.
However, if a wisdom tooth starts to cause you issues, then it’s important to see Dr. Jorge Rojas quickly. Sometimes, wisdom teeth that are impacted or haven’t fully emerged can cause problems. The start of these issues could be from bacteria or food getting trapped around the tooth and gum tissue. This can potentially cause:
- Cellulitis (a type of bacterial infection)
- Gum Disease/Periodontal Disease
- Tooth Decay
- An Abscess
- Cysts or other Benign Growths (Rarely Occurs)
While most of these issues can be successfully treated with antibiotics or antiseptic mouthwash, without the removal of the wisdom teeth that are causing the issues, it is likely the symptoms may reoccur.
What Does the Surgery Entail?
A typical wisdom teeth removal will be done in the comfort of our office.
Usually wisdom teeth extractions are done with the use of conscious sedation. We deliver a local anesthetic, usually via a quick injection. This will work to numb the area around your wisdom teeth. You may feel a slight sensation of pressure prior to the tooth being removed.
In some cases, it may be necessary to make a small incision in the gum in order to remove the teeth. If a tooth is impacted into another tooth or covered in bone, Dr. Rojas may use instruments to remove an adequate amount of bone or section the tooth in order to remove. It is always the goal to take a conservative approach and maintain as much bone and supporting tissue as possible to aid in reduction of post-op pain and allow speedy recovery. The total time it takes to remove a wisdom tooth can be anything between 5-20 minutes, but it can sometimes be longer than this.
THE RECOVERY PROCESS
Once the extraction has taken place, it’s usual to experience some minor discomfort or swelling at the site of the removal. It will typically last for up to three days, but depending on the individual, it might take a little longer to fully recover; sometimes, this can be anything up to a period of two weeks.
After the procedure, you might experience any or all of the following:
- A stiff or sore jaw
- Swollen cheeks or mouth
- Headache
- A strange or unpleasant taste
- Slight bruising in your cheek
- Numbness of the face
- A tingling sensation in your lips, face, or tongue
Any of the above after-effects are completely normal, and most of these will wear off within a matter of days. If you had a particularly difficult procedure, then you might experience a number of these effects.
If a local anesthetic was used, then you will be able to drive immediately after your procedure. However, if a sedative was used, then you will need to avoid driving for anything between 24-48 hours following the wisdom teeth extraction.
KNOWING WHEN TO SEE DR. ROJAS ABOUT A WISDOM TOOTH
If you are experiencing pain, it’s important to see Dr. Rojas as soon as possible. If there is a developing abscess or infection of any kind, this will require antibiotics to treat the infection first. He will make an appointment for you and check to see the source of the pain. It may also be necessary to take a dental x-ray to give Dr. Rojas a clearer picture of the position of your wisdom teeth.
If you think you are experiencing pain caused by a wisdom tooth, then it’s always best to proceed on the side of caution and see Dr. Rojas quickly. Contact us today if you have any questions about wisdom tooth extraction or to make an appointment with our team.
PATIENT REVIEWS
HOURS
| Monday | 8:00am – 5:00pm* |
| Tuesday | 9:00am – 6:00pm |
| Wednesday | 8:00am – 5:00pm |
| Thursday | 8:00am – 5:00pm |
| Friday | 8:00am – 4:00pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
*Every other week, by appointment. Call for more information.
