What to Expect When You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
Sometimes the wisdom teeth come in with enough room and don’t seem to cause too much trouble. Other times, there’s limited space in the mouth or other problems, and the wisdom teeth become impacted as they develop. Either way, Dr. Schaffer might recommend having your wisdom teeth removed to prevent pain, crowding, tooth damage, decay, and oral health complications that can occur later on.
The Step-by-Step Process of Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
Before Extraction
Prior to your extraction, you’ll meet with your oral surgeon for a pre-operative appointment. You’ll discuss your medical history, medications, and answer any questions you might have about the procedure.
Wisdom teeth extractions occur under various levels of sedation depending on the extent of the procedure needed. Often, these procedures occur with a patient fully sedated under general anesthesia. You’ll discuss anesthesia, sedation, and numbing and whether full sedation, partial sedation, or only local anesthetic is necessary during your pre-operative appointment.
Wisdom teeth extractions are outpatient procedures, meaning you’ll return home the day of your appointment. So, if you’ll be sedated or under anesthesia, you’ll need to enlist someone trustworthy to drive you home from your appointment and plan to take a few days off from work or school.
The Day of Your Wisdom Teeth Removal
On the day of your appointment, you’ll be brought to an exam room, and we’ll get you prepped for general anesthesia or your intended level of sedation before the procedure begins.
If you’re awake for the procedure, you might feel some pressure or tugging sensations, but you won’t experience any pain.
Depending on the placement of your teeth and roots, the surgeon might need to cut into the gums for the extraction. In this case, you’ll receive stitches. That will either dissolve on their own or be removed later.
Recovery
Recovering fully from a wisdom tooth extraction can take a couple of weeks if you’ve had a more invasive extraction procedure. To ensure a speedy, smooth recovery, be sure to follow all aftercare instructions provided by our dentist.
Schedule a Wisdom Tooth Evaluation for Yourself or Your Teenager Today
Wisdom teeth should be evaluated with dental x-rays during a person’s teens or early 20s because issues are simpler to address sooner rather than later. However, if you’re older, we can still help you resolve any issues those pesky back molars might cause. We encourage you to schedule a wisdom teeth consultation at Schaffer Dental Excellence. We’ll examine your teeth, take a set of dental x-rays, and discuss your treatment options.
