Wisdom Teeth Extraction in Porter
Preventive and restorative dentistry are meant to help you hang on to your natural teeth for as long as possible—ideally your whole life, in fact. But sometimes there are situations where the best option is tooth extraction, such as with wisdom teeth. Whether your wisdom teeth are impacted beneath gum tissue or they have erupted, these large molars can harm your oral health and even your general health. That’s why wisdom tooth extractions in Porter, TX are often recommended.
Why Are Wisdom Teeth a Problem?
At first, wisdom teeth may not be a problem. But for the long-term health of your smile, it is usually better to have them extracted in the late teen years or early 20s.
Wisdom teeth need to come out for a variety of reasons. First, they are typically too large for most people’s jaws. Prehistoric man needed these large teeth to chew the leafy vegetation, berries, seeds and tough meats that they ate to survive. Therefore, Mother Nature gave them roomier jaws to accommodate these teeth.
Now, however, our jaws are much smaller, and we eat foods that aren’t so difficult to chew. Therefore, wisdom teeth have become obsolete, making them more of a nuisance than help.
Some people find that their wisdom teeth hurt. This is likely because they press on adjacent teeth. Also, if you or your child has completed orthodontic treatment, then this pressure can lead to alignment issues.
Other reasons for wisdom teeth extraction include:
- Tooth infection and periodontal disease
- Trapped food particles that can lead to decay or infection
- Damage to the bone
How Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Usually, wisdom teeth extraction is a routine procedure that takes a dentist in Porter about an hour to complete. A local anesthetic is administered to numb the tooth, surrounding gum tissue and bone. In addition, Dr. Price and Dr. Abu-Tabra offer sedation dentistry—nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation—to help you relax during the procedure.
If possible, forceps are used to extract the whole tooth. However, if the tooth is especially large or impacted, then the dentist may need to section the tooth for removal. In this case, a small incision is made in your gums and the wisdom tooth is surgically cut and extracted. If necessary, sutures are placed to help your gums heal and you’re given time to relax and recover.
What Is Recovery Like?
We’ll give you instructions on how to care for the extraction sites. Be sure to keep the site clean and eat soft foods for the first few days. If you’re given a prescription pain medication, take it on time in order to avoid discomfort. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen is fine if pain is moderate, and ice packs will help reduce swelling.
If you have more questions about wisdom teeth extraction in Porter, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, then please contact our dental office.
