Pain or discomfort can occur when the wisdom teeth are coming in but often subsides once the teeth have fully erupted. When the wisdom teeth do not fully erupt or come in at an angle rather than straight through the gum line, they sometimes need to be extracted to prevent additional oral health issues. In Mission Viejo, CA, wisdom teeth removal and tooth extractions are performed at Trabuco Hills Dentistry. Dr. Ami Kagalwala and Dr. Jay Friedman can determine if your wisdom teeth should be extracted.
Reasons for Wisdom Teeth Removal
There are several situations when it is best to extract wisdom teeth. Removing those teeth when needed can improve oral health and prevent infections or other problems. Some reasons for extracting wisdom teeth include:
- Impacted teeth that will not fully erupt
- The teeth have come in at an angle
- Eruption of the wisdom teeth is causing overcrowding
- The bite became misaligned when the wisdom teeth erupted
- A severely infected or decayed wisdom tooth
- A loose or broken wisdom tooth
Removing wisdom teeth that are causing problems, such as overcrowding or bite misalignment, can improve oral health. The experienced dentists at our office in Mission Viejo, CA, perform tooth extractions and wisdom teeth removal. The dentists can examine your wisdom teeth to see if extraction is needed.
Extraction Procedure
Extracting wisdom teeth involves a minor surgical procedure. Patients can either have the extraction site numbed with a local anesthetic or a general anesthetic can be administered so the patient can be sedated during the procedure. Then the tooth is loosened so it can be lifted out of the gums. In the instance that a wisdom tooth is so extremely impacted that it is not possible to easily lift it out, the tooth will be broken up into smaller pieces. Each piece can be more easily removed. Once the tooth is removed, the gums are sutured closed.
The gums will need several days to heal from the extraction procedure. During that time only soft foods, such as yogurt or thin soup, should be eaten. It is also important to avoid drinking beverages through a straw because the sucking motion could potentially loosen the sutures or slow the clotting process. Ice packs can be used to help ease any discomfort. The dentists might also prescribe medication for pain relief.
Your wisdom teeth should be extracted if they have not erupted properly or are causing problems, such as severe overcrowding. For tooth extractions and wisdom teeth removal in Mission Viejo, CA, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kagalwala and Dr. Friedman by calling Trabuco Hills Dentistry at (949) 859-1400.