Dental Extraction of Symptomatic Wisdom Teeth
When you reach your late teens or early twenties, your wisdom teeth or third molars make their debut in the back corners of your mouth. Wisdom teeth aren’t necessary and, in many cases, they cause problems like crowding or misalignment of other teeth. They may also become impacted or trapped inside your jaw. Unable to fully erupt, impacted wisdom teeth cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms and may adversely affect your oral health. In most cases, the ideal solution is to have them surgically extracted by your oral surgeon or dentist.
Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
- Gum inflammation marked by red, tender, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Jaw swelling
- Bad breath or unpleasant taste
- Head or jaw pain
- Difficulty fully opening your mouth
- Swollen lymph nodes in your neck
Surgical Extraction Options
When your wisdom teeth cause symptoms, your dentist or oral surgeon can usually remove them in an outpatient procedure. If you have an infection, your dentist may require you to take antibiotics before the surgery. To extract a wisdom tooth, your dentist makes an incision in your gums and removes any bone that is blocking the impacted tooth. The tooth itself is then removed. Afterward, the incision is closed with stitches.
What to Expect After Dental Extraction
After your surgery, you’ll be sent home with a set of after-care instructions to help manage pain and swelling. Contact your doctor or dentist immediately if unusual symptoms develop. Serious complications are rare but may include the following:
- Infection of teeth or gums caused by trapped food or bacteria
- Dry socket or exposed bone
- Damage to sinus cavity near upper wisdom tooth site
- Weakened jawbone
- Loss of sensation or nerve pain in lower lips, tongue, or chin
Risks of Not Removing Impacted Wisdom Teeth
In general, it’s easier to remove wisdom teeth before the age of 30 due to increased bone flexibility. If you neglect to have impacted wisdom teeth removed, you may suffer complications like cysts, chronic infection, mouth pain, tooth misalignment, or difficulty cleaning your teeth properly. Tooth extraction cost and anesthesia methods vary based on the complexity of the case; talk to your dentist or oral surgeon about your options.
To learn about our family dentistry practice in Michigan, call Gentle Dental of Michigan today or book an appointment.
Gentle Dental of Michigan family dentistry and gentle, compassionate dental care in Michigan. With 4 affiliated practices throughout Michigan, our offices are conveniently located with extended hours to meet your needs. At Gentle Dental of Michigan, we provide most dental services, from basic preventative care and general dentistry to specialized procedures and complete dental reconstruction. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we strive to provide the exceptional, affordable dental care and personal touch that lead to lasting relationships. A smiling patient is our greatest reward and we look forward to keeping those smiles healthy, beautiful, and bright. Discover an affordable dentist who truly cares at Gentle Dental of Michigan.
