Many people between the ages of 17 and 25 have their wisdom teeth removed for one reason or another. One of the most common reasons for wisdom tooth removal is that a tooth becomes impacted. Impaction can cause many problems for your mouth, including pain, crowding, and infection. If a wisdom tooth becomes impacted (meaning it can’t break the surface due to space)and begins to cause problems, it’s time for the tooth to be removed. Since 90% of people deal with an impacted wisdom tooth, it only follows that wisdom tooth extraction has become a common procedure.
How Does a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Work?
First you need to find an Annapolis dentist that performs wisdom tooth extractions. It’s not a procedure that everyone does. Because of our setup at Annapolis Dental Care, we have the ability to do these removals in house. You’ll meet with your dentist to discuss the removal process and which of your wisdom teeth actually need to be removed – most of the time all 4 aren’t required to come out. The procedure itself is pretty straightforward.
- Anesthetic – Your dentist will give you a local anesthetic to numb your mouth and you’ll probably also go under general anesthesia as well to make the process more comfortable. You won’t remember a thing once it’s over and you wake up.
- Removal – Once you’re numb and out, your dentist will cut the gum tissue directly over your wisdom tooth to easily access it. Your Annapolis dentist will then remove the tooth and any bone that’s covering it. It may have to be cut into smaller pieces to properly remove the whole thing.
- Stitches – You may or may not need stitches. It all depends on how smoothly your procedure goes. Most dentists use dissolvable stitches so that you don’t have to return for a visit to have your stitches removed a few days later.
What is Recovery from a Wisdom Tooth Removal Like?
Obviously recovery is different for everyone, but you’ll usually only be down and out for a couple of days. You’ll be hazy when you first wake up from the anesthesia and will be required to have someone drive you home. It’s important to follow all of the instructions that your Annapolis dentist gives you, but some of the most common instructions include:
- Relaxing to avoid excess bleeding
- Eating soft foods
- Using gauze to stop the bleeding and ice to reduce swelling
- Rinsing with salt water
- Leaving the area alone as much as possible
- Taking it easy
If any problems do arise after your wisdom tooth removal, you should contact your Annapolis family dentist immediately, as there could be signs of an infection. Experiencing pain from a wisdom tooth? Make an appointment for a wisdom tooth removal consultation with Annapolis Dental Care by calling (410) 267-0766 or visit AnnapolisDentalCare.com today!