WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF WISDOM TEETH (THIRD MOLARS)?
The earliest people did not have kitchens, grocery stores, or knives and forks, therefore they had to eat what they could, even though it may be uncooked or tough. This lifestyle made the later eruption of the third molars really helpful, which fit well in their broader jawbone. Over time, people have changed to have a smaller jaw; however, we still develop third molars, which aren’t needed and generally won’t fit. More frequently called the wisdom teeth, these final molars generally have to be taken out to prevent issues, such as impaction, infection, and pain. Our seasoned staff at DentalWorks – Crystal Lake performs surgical tooth extraction for Crystal Lake, IL patients. Utilizing advanced diagnostic tools, our team helps patients decide whether they need wisdom tooth extraction, which our team performs with modern techniques to give you a quicker recovery. Keep reading to find out more about surgical extraction for your wisdom teeth before you get in touch with our practice in Crystal Lake, IL to schedule an appointment for your children or yourself.
HOW OLD WILL I BE WHEN MY WISDOM TEETH APPEAR?
Your third molars are the final teeth to grow, normally when you are all about seven years of age. Although, the third molars do not really erupt until you’re in your late teens. In contrast, the remainder of your adult (permanent) teeth begin to appear when a child is just starting school and are completely erupted by the time they are a teenager. Though it is uncommon, some people do not have all four of their third molars, and very rarely, a couple of lucky individuals never get any of their wisdom teeth.
WHO NEEDS TO HAVE THEIR WISDOM TEETH REMOVED?
Considering that the modern jawbone is smaller and our daily diet is not as tough on our other molars, there’s usually insufficient space for your wisdom teeth when they’re prepared to erupt. Generally, when the third molars aren’t removed by a dentist, then they could become impacted. If a tooth becomes impacted, it’s not able to fully erupt the gumline so that it could cause an infection called pericoronitis. Signs of an impacted tooth are inflamed gums near the wisdom tooth, discomfort in your ear or nearby teeth, difficulty opening your jaw and eating, in addition to chronic halitosis (bad breath). Although most individuals need to have their third molars taken out to avoid impaction, a few people can keep their third molars. The choice to keep or extract your third molars ought to be made along with your dental team.
HOW SOON SHOULD I HAVE MY WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTED?
For an easier recovery, those who need it, should have their third molars extracted while they are teenagers. If you wait until your twenties or even later, the third molars roots are firmly in the jawbone and therefore are more challenging to extract. Even though not everybody will have to have their third molars removed, should you, it is advisable to take action while you are young. The extraction surgery is harder and the recovery generally takes more time in adults. Ideally, you’re seeing your dentist in Crystal Lake, IL for yearly oral health exams with x-rays so that they can track the growth of your wisdom teeth and plan an extraction when it’s a good time. If you aren’t seeing a dentist for regular cleanings and exams, schedule a consultation if your teeth have been moving, you’ve got swelling and pain near your back teeth, or a sense of pressure in your lower face. These are symptoms that your third molars are about to erupt and your dental team will have the ability to decide whether they have to be extracted to avoid an impaction.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING MY WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL?
Your third molars will be taken out using an extraction technique when the teeth haven’t completely erupted out of the gums. During your consultative appointment, your dental team will talk about your sedation choices according to your surgery and anxiety level. Many people will be given IV (intravenous) sedation so they’re unconscious throughout the procedure, although others might be given a mix of local anesthesia and “laughing” gas or even oral-conscious medicine. No matter which sedation method is selected, your dentist will be certain you’re comfortable and relaxed before the surgery starts. To get to the teeth, the dentist will create an incision in your gum tissue over your wisdom tooth. The molar will be extracted with specific tools and the gums will be washed before the dentist will use stitches to close the incision in the gums. This will be repeated until all the wisdom teeth have been taken out.
HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTION?
At your first appointment, your dental team will review exactly what to expect during and following your extraction. It is very important to listen to and comply with your aftercare directions to prevent issues such as a dry socket or infection. Based on the kind of sedation selected, you will likely have to have a friend or family member take you home after your surgical extraction. You should aim to rest for the remainder of the day; however, a couple of days is generally advised. Many patients want to stick to a liquid or soft food diet following their surgical dental extraction. It is advised to not use a straw, smoke or chew tobacco, or spit to prevent disturbing the blood clot that develops in the gums. You must wash out|] your mouth for a few days until you return to softly brushing. Your dentist can write you a prescription for pain relievers or antibiotics that will assist you heal after extraction. In a couple of days, your gums and teeth will feel and look far better, so get in touch with your dentist if you’ve got pain, a fever, swelling, pus, or other issues.
WILL I NEED ANOTHER WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTION?
After your third molars have been extracted, they won’t come back. Nevertheless, in a really small proportion of people, there’s another set of molars that could develop. Also called supernumerary teeth, such additional teeth grow in approximately 1 – 2 percent of individuals. Should you have additional teeth, your dentist will have the ability to identify these with x-rays in your yearly oral health evaluation. Based upon the location of the additional teeth grow, your dentist will suggest a surgical or simple extraction.
