Wisdom Tooth Extractions

Wisdom teeth are important and do their part when they're properly positioned and healthy. Unfortunately, problems can develop and extraction becomes necessary. For instance, the patient's jaw may not be large enough for the additional teeth, they may become impacted. Or, they may only partially erupt or grow sideways and become trapped under the gum and jawbone.

When they only partially erupt through the gums, the jaw may swell, become painful and leave an opening for bacteria, subsequently causing an infection. At times, misaligned wisdom teeth may damage adjacent teeth or a cyst can form threatening the bone structure and/or tooth roots.

With any of these circumstances, extraction is often needed.

Tooth extraction has come a long, long way from tying a length of string to a doorknob. Today, you can expect a swift procedure with anesthesia to decrease any discomfort. Dr. Mike will prescribe the steps to follow after an extraction to insure proper healing. In addition, he may prescribe pain medication, depending on the situation.After an extraction procedure, it's best not to smoke, drink through a straw or vigorously rinse your mouth. These actions may dislodge the clot and lengthen the healing process.

At times, oral surgery is required to extract a wisdom tooth. In these cases, Dr. Mike will arrange a referral to a qualified and highly experienced oral surgeon.

After a few days of healing, it's best to only rinse your mouth gently, if needed. A cold compress or ice bag can help with any pain and/or swelling. You can brush and floss, but it's often best to avoid the area and teeth near the tooth socket.

Below are images of before and after wisdom tooth extraction procedure.

BEFORE

AFTER