Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Oro Valley, AZ

Trust only the highly qualified experts of wisdom teeth removal in Oro Valley, AZ – Oro Valley Dental Group. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

People usually encounter problems with their wisdom teeth between the ages of 15 and 25. It is ideal to have the procedure done during this period because the teeth are less developed. Recovery also tends to happen faster when the patient is younger.

In most cases, we have to remove wisdom teeth to treat signs of infection such as bleeding, swelling of the gums, pain in the jaw, and bad breath. However, complications might not come with symptoms, in which case the patient could opt for the procedure as a preventative measure.

The Importance of Removing Wisdom Teeth

If there is enough room, wisdom teeth may erupt at the proper position along the dental arch. However, this process can lead to complications if the patient’s jaw is too small for the new growth. In this case, surgery is necessary to prevent misalignment or impaction.

Misalignment

Because of the lack of space, the back teeth will crowd to accommodate the new growth. Overcrowding causes wisdom teeth to come in at awkward angles.

A flap of gum tissue might grow over the partially erupted wisdom tooth, which is difficult to clean and becomes a trap for food debris and bacteria. Consequently, an infection could develop, causing wisdom teeth pain.

Impaction

Impaction happens when wisdom teeth do not break through the gums. More often than not, impacted teeth come with pain and swelling. If left uncorrected, it could lead to issues like:

• Infection
• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Cysts
• Jaw bone issues

What Happens During Surgery

First, Dr. Ryan Lacy or Dr. Sean Ham will assess the position of the patient’s wisdom teeth. If an infection is already present, we will have to delay the procedure and treat it with antibiotics first. Next, we will give the patient a local or general anesthetic based on the severity of the procedure. The latter is usually applied if there is more than one wisdom tooth to remove.

During surgery, the doctor will expose the wisdom teeth by cutting through the gum tissue surrounding them. Subsequently, we detach the teeth from the bone. In some cases, we will need to take them out in portions.

After fully extracting the teeth, we need to apply sutures to close the wound and promote healing. These may have to be taken out after a few days, or they may dissolve independently.

Recovering From the Surgery

Recovering from wisdom teeth extractions could take up to two weeks. The doctor might prescribe painkillers to make the process more comfortable for the patient. At home, there are several things the patient can do to speed up the recovery period, such as:

• Periodically biting down on fresh cotton gauze pads to stop the bleeding
• Applying hot and cold compresses
• Reducing physical activity
• Consuming only soft food
• Cleaning the area by gently rinsing with warm saltwater
• Avoiding smoking

Learn more about our tooth extraction service.

Are you experiencing symptoms? Book an appointment with the leading specialists in wisdom teeth removal in Oro Valley, AZ today!