Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Has your dentist recently told you it may be time soon to remove your wisdom teeth? Over time your teeth shift, and your wisdom teeth may be growing in and pushing against your teeth. In most cases, a dentist will refer a patient in need of wisdom tooth extraction maple grove minnesota to an oral surgeon.

Why do wisdom teeth need to come out?

Wisdom teeth are an extra set of molars that grow in late, in the back of your mouth. In general, wisdom teeth come in between the ages of 17 and 25. There are several reasons why a dentist may recommend that your wisdom should be removed:

  • The teeth are impacted. If the teeth are impacted this means they are trapped in the jawbone and gums and can become infected or cause a lot of pain.
  • The teeth come in at an angle that may create issues for your bite and your other teeth. If they press against your other teeth this may cause your teeth to shift.
  • The wisdom teeth are too big and there is not enough room in your mouth and jawbone for them to come in.
  • If your wisdom teeth come in and you are not able to reach them when you brush and floss, cavities or gum disease can develop over time.

The wisdom tooth extraction process

  • Pre-surgery appointment: prior to your surgery, you will set up an appointment to meet with your oral surgeon and discuss your procedure. Your surgeon will complete an exam, review your scans and talk through the surgery with you. At this appointment it is important that you talk about any of your current health issues and talk about any prescription drugs you are taking. You should make sure to ask any questions you have. Your surgeon will address what type of
    anesthesia that will give you during your surgery. Depending on your surgeon they may give you local, IV sedation, or general anesthetic.
  • Surgery: In general, the wisdom tooth extraction surgery should take 45 minutes or less. The procedure will start with the assistants administering anesthesia. The surgeon will numb your mouth and the area of the procedure with a shot of Novocaine. After the numbing agent has set in, your surgeon may also give you drugs intravenously through an IV in your arm or they may have you breathe nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, through a mask. Either way you will feel relaxed and you may even sleep through the entire procedure. Which anesthetic your surgeon chooses will be based on how extensive the procedure will need to be. Your surgeon may have to cut your gums to access the teeth. After the teeth are removed your surgeon will stitch the wounds shut so they can heal properly.
  • Post-surgery: After you wake up from the anesthesia and are feeling more alert you will need help getting home from the surgery. After the local anesthetic wears off you may experience some pain for a few days. If your surgeon put stitches in they may take a few days to dissolve.

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