Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need Extraction?
As we approach adulthood, up to four new teeth could erupt in the rear of your mouth. For many, the arrival of these teeth means major negative impacts on your smile, including painful symptoms and dental misalignment! To protect your smile, your Cleveland, TX, dentist may suggest removing them carefully with a tooth extraction.
The Dangers of Your Third Molars
These new molars sit in the very back of your mouth, and don’t arrive until we reach our late teens or early 20s. For a few, they pose no significant risk, but for most of us this means forcing up to four new teeth into an area with no room for them. The results could mean a painful partial eruption known as an impaction, as well as infection, damaged teeth, and even dental misalignment. Uneven teeth alone could increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, and the strain of the changes in your bite could lead to TMJ disorder and bruxism (chronic teeth grinding). To avoid these issues and preserve your smile, you need to talk to our team about extraction.
The Extraction Process and Recovery
First, our team will take a series of images with digital x-rays and an intraoral camera, so we can plan the treatment with precision and accuracy. Next, we administer a numbing agent to the area around the tooth. If you have anxiety, we may also suggest dental sedation so you enter a calm and relaxed state. We then open the area of the gums above the teeth to access them and remove them. After we take them out with forceps, we then suture the site closed. A friend or family member can bring you home, as sedation takes time to wear off. We will provide prescriptions for any necessary medications, and detailed instructions for the first day or two to avoid complications. In a follow-up visit, our team will remove the sutures.
Other Reasons for Tooth Removal
We could also suggest the procedure to make room to reposition the rest of your teeth if you have serious misalignment. Extraction could also be performed for a seriously damaged or infected teeth, which could help stop the spread of infection completely. We also take out teeth for those receiving a full set of dentures. If you have any questions about wisdom teeth, or about oral surgery, including tooth extraction, then please contact our team today to learn more.
Your Cleveland, TX Dentist’s Office Offers Oral Surgery
Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX is ready to help preserve the health and function of your smile. To find out more about the tooth removal process, then contact our office at (281) 592-1234 to schedule your appointment today.