Wisdom teeth are the last of your teeth to come in, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. For many years there has been some controversy as to whether removing these teeth is necessary. If your wisdom teeth don’t cause you any harm or pain, they may be fine to leave in place. However, if they are positioned incorrectly or cause you pain or discomfort, they will probably need to be removed to prevent further problems. So, how do wisdom teeth extractions work?
When your wisdom teeth first come in, they can sometimes be impacted. Impacted teeth are teeth that for some reason don’t break through the gums, and these will normally need to be extracted. Sometimes they can be pulled by a general dentist, although in most cases they need to be removed by a qualified professional. When you or your family need your wisdom teeth examined, you can call Dr. Travis Hunsaker at Hunsaker Dental, located in Salem, Oregon, for a consultation.
During the consultation, Salem wisdom teeth Dentist Dr. Travis Hunsaker will take a few x-rays that will let him know the state of your wisdom teeth. He will review the results with you, examine your mouth, and tell you which options he recommends. If he determines that you need teeth extracted, you’ll have the option of choosing either local anesthesia or a more advanced IV sedation to make the process more comfortable. Local anesthesia (numbing) will help with any associated pain, although you’ll still be aware throughout the entire process, which may not be the most comfortable experience for you. IV sedation can be much more comfortable and is often preferred, as with this option you can relax fully without having to even be aware during the procedure.
Learn more about extractions and wisdom teeth
The wisdom teeth extraction process can vary between patients. The shape, size, and formation of your wisdom teeth can all affect the difficulty of the process and the time needed to complete it. For example, if the root tips of your teeth are wrapped around the jaw, the removal process may be very time-consuming. But no matter what the challenges, Dr. Hunsaker is prepared to give you the best outcome.
Once your extraction has been completed, there is normally little to no swelling involved. If needed, Dr. Hunsaker will prescribe you pain medicine, which you should take according to his instructions. If you have chosen to have IV sedation during the process, you’ll need a trusted person to drive you home after the procedure as you will not be able to drive yourself the rest of the day.
Before you leave our office, Dr. Hunsaker, along with the caring and knowledgeable staff here at Hunsaker Dental, will send you home with information you can use to ensure proper healing of your gums and mouth. This will help make sure you experience no problems during the healing process. During the first 24 hours after the procedure, a trusted person should stay with you to make sure that you are ok. Also, you will not be able to eat certain foods for the first 48 hours.
Once your wisdom teeth have been removed, you will start to notice a huge improvement in your mouth…and your health!