Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that many people get when they are in their late teens or twenties. If they are healthy and well aligned, it is often not necessary to do anything. However, they can be misaligned and require removal. Poor alignment of wisdom teeth can crowd and damage the teeth next to them. They can also make those adjacent teeth more vulnerable because food and debris can become trapped in the area, which raises the risk of infection and decay. For these reasons and more, the
Tribeca oral surgeonss at Dental Specialty Associates in Manhattan, often recommend that young adults have these wisdom teeth removed.
An additional problem with wisdom teeth is that they can become completely trapped within the gums and the jaw and only break through partially. When this happens they are impacted. Teeth that are impacted may have bacteria enter and cause an infection. Infections are painful and can cause swelling. These factors expose the patient to decay and gum disease.
Tribeca Oral Surgery
If you think you have a problem with your wisdom teeth, visit your
Tribeca oral surgeon at Dental Specialty Associates. They are a team of highly experienced dentists and oral surgeons who are able to make the correct recommendations based on a comprehensive exam. Your doctor will typically take an x-ray, evaluate your dental issue, and then with you as a partner explain your treatment options.
If an extraction is necessary, our oral surgeons will tell you what to expect during the procedure. If your tooth is fully erupted it most likely can be easily extracted. However, if it is impacted it will require an incision and then removal of the some underlying bone. Often this means that the tooth will be removed in smaller sections instead of in one piece. Your doctor may inject a local anesthetic to numb the pain and may use a sedative to decrease anxiety.
After the extraction there may be some bleeding and facial swelling, but applying pressure to the area with a piece of gauze and using an ice pack will diminish these problems. Depending on the extraction process, our oral surgeons might also prescribe pain medications. Everyone is different, but you can expect a great deal of healing within the first two weeks and complete healing within a month or two.
If you are experiencing pain or swelling toward the rear of your mouth it might be your wisdom teeth and they could require removal. Make an appointment to see your
Tribeca oral surgeon, at Dental Specialty Associates, to discuss your symptoms. They are there to help you!
By Dental Specialty Associates
January 27, 2013
