Are you having trouble with impacted teeth, overcrowding caused by insufficient room for your teeth to grow, tooth decay, or pain? It may be a good time to consider wisdom teeth removal.
While this is a common dental procedure, it can feel intimidating, especially if you don’t know what to expect. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the procedure, give you tips on recovering smoothly, and explain everything you need to know about getting this procedure done with a dentist or surgeon at SmileStudios NYC.What are Wisdom Teeth?
Before going into the details of wisdom teeth removal, let’s go through the basics and understand what wisdom teeth are. Wisdom teeth are the last set of permanent teeth that grow in the back of your mouth called the third molars. Generally, wisdom teeth grow in young adults at 17 to 25 years old, but some have them later. They’re called wisdom teeth for a reason – they come later in life when you’re considered a bit wiser than when your other teeth appeared. While a wisdom tooth grows without causing issues for many people, others experience severe pain. Usually, the teeth line up nicely with the rest of the teeth, but in some cases, there’s not enough space in the mouth for these third molars. When this happens, wisdom teeth can grow at odd angles, pushing against other teeth or staying trapped under the gum tissue. This can lead to pain, tooth decay, gum disease, infection of the soft tissue, and other dental issues. The dentist or surgeon often recommends wisdom tooth removal when they cause problems or are likely to in the future.What to Know about the Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure
Before removing your wisdom teeth, it’s natural to have questions about what happens during the procedure. Let’s break down the surgical procedure to give you an idea of what to expect.When is Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removal Necessary?
Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed. However, if your teeth are causing pain, crowding, tooth decay, plaque buildup, or damage to other teeth, our expert dentist at StudioSmiles NYC may recommend removal. Impacted wisdom teeth, trapped under your gum tissue or growing at an odd angle, can lead to periodontal disease, soft tissue infections, cysts with fluid-filled sacs, gum disease, or even damage to your jawbone. To prevent these dental problems, our dentists may recommend removing your wisdom teeth early before they cause more severe issues.What are the Types of Wisdom Teeth Extractions?
There are two types of wisdom teeth extractions, and they are: Simple Wisdom tooth Extraction: This is used if your wisdom teeth have already broken through the gum tissue and are easily accessible. Our dentist will numb the area and use forceps to pull the tooth out from the tooth socket while being mindful of other teeth. This is a quick and straightforward procedure. Surgical Wisdom tooth Extraction: An oral surgeon at our clinic will perform a surgical extraction on impacted wisdom teeth or teeth that haven’t formed properly. The oral and maxillofacial surgeons will make a small cut in your gum to reach the tooth and may need to remove some surrounding bone. While it sounds intimidating, the wisdom teeth removal procedure is routine, and you’ll be numbed or sedated during it so you won’t feel pain.Options of Sedation Anesthesia
There are a few options for pain management during the surgery. Our dentist or oral surgeon will help you choose based on your needs.Local Anesthesia:
This numbs the specific area around your wisdom teeth. You’ll be awake during the procedure but won’t feel any pain.Sedation Anesthesia:
This will make you drowsy and less aware of the procedure, though you’ll still be awake. This is usually combined with local anesthesia.General Anesthesia:
This is administered for more complex cases of wisdom teeth removal. With general anesthesia, you may be completely asleep during the procedure, and you won’t feel anything or remember the surgery.What Happens Before Surgery?
Before the wisdom teeth removal procedure, our dentist or oral surgeon will take X-rays to get a clear picture of your wisdom teeth and their position. They’ll also instruct you on what to do, such as fasting if you’re undergoing general anesthesia. It’s best to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as you might feel groggy.Step-by-Step Guide of the Wisdom Teeth Removed Procedure
The wisdom teeth removal process might sound daunting, but when you know what to expect, it becomes easier to go through. Let’s walk you through each step of the procedure of getting your wisdom teeth removed at StudioSmiles NYC so you feel prepared and confident:Step 1: Anesthesia Administration
Once in the dental chair, your dentist or oral surgeon will administer anesthesia to numb the area. If you’re receiving IV sedation, they’ll ensure you’re relaxed and comfortable before starting.Step 2: Incision and Removal
If your wisdom teeth have already come through the gums, the dentist will use forceps to gently rock the tooth back and forth to loosen it from the tooth socket before pulling it out while being careful of other teeth. However, if you have an impacted tooth that hasn’t erupted, the oral surgeon will make a small incision in your gum to get to the tooth. Sometimes, they may need to remove wisdom teeth and a bit of exposed bone around the tooth or break the tooth into smaller pieces for easier removal.Step 3: Closing the Incision
After the wisdom tooth is out, the oral and maxillofacial surgeons will clean the area and may stick the incision closed. Sometimes, the stitches dissolve on their own, so you won’t need to return to have them removed or worry about their impact on nearby teeth. The entire procedure usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how many wisdom teeth are removed and their condition.Step 4: Recovery from Anesthesia
Once the wisdom teeth removal procedure is complete, you’ll rest in a recovery area. Our healthcare team at StudioSmiles NYC will monitor you until you’re ready to go home.What are the Risks and Complications of Wisdom Teeth Extraction?
Like any medical procedure, wisdom teeth removal comes with some risks. While serious complications are rare, it’s good to be aware of them:- Bleeding: Some bleeding is common right after wisdom teeth removal surgery, but if it continues for more than a few hours or affects nearby teeth, you should contact the dentist.
- Swelling and Bruising: After the procedure, you should expect some swelling in your cheeks and jaw. We recommend applying an ice pack to the outside of your cheeks to help reduce this.
- Dry Socket: This occurs when the blood clot at the extraction site becomes dislodged, exposing the bone underneath. A dry socket can be painful and usually happens a few days after wisdom teeth removal surgery. The pain can also radiate to nearby teeth. If you experience severe pain after a few days, it’s a good idea to contact your dentist.
How to Reduce the Risks
Following the dentist’s instructions closely will minimize the chances of long-term complications and promote gum healing. Our team will provide guidance on things like how to reduce pain, what types of soft foods to eat, when to eat hard or solid foods, and how to keep the wisdom teeth extraction site and nearby teeth clean.What to Expect Immediately After Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure
The following are what to expect after your wisdom tooth is removed: Initial Bleeding: Some bleeding from the surgical site or neighboring teeth is scheduled after your wisdom teeth are removed. So, our dentist will give you a gauze to bite down on to help control bleeding. You might need to change the gauze every 30-45 minutes until the bleeding slows. Pain Management: After the anesthesia wears off, you might feel pain or discomfort after the wisdom teeth removal. The dentist will prescribe pain medication or recommend over-the-counter options like ibuprofen. Take the pain reliever as soon as the numbness wears off to manage the pain effectively and to speed up the healing gums process.Dos and Don’ts for Quick Recovery
To help you heal quickly and comfortably, here are some important do’s and don’ts to follow:Do’s
- Give your body time to heal. Plan to take things easy for at least a few days after surgery.
- Maintain oral hygiene by gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water from 24 hours after surgery. This helps to keep the wisdom teeth extraction site clean and can reduce the risk of infection of soft tissue or gum disease. However, don’t swish too hard.
- For the first few days after you remove your wisdom teeth, stick to soft or liquid foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and smoothies. Don’t eat anything chewy, spicy, or crunchy that could irritate the extraction sites.
- Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid using straws for the first few weeks, as sucking can dislodge the blood clots and lead to a dry socket.
Don’ts
- Try to quit smoking, or at least avoid smoking for at least a week after the wisdom teeth removal surgery. Smoking can slow down the healing process and increase the risk of complications.
- Avoid aggressive rinsing or spitting for the first few days, as it can dislodge the blood clot. Also, don’t drink alcohol and use an ice pack when you feel discomfort.
- For a few days after your wisdom teeth removal, avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise to prevent nerve damage or increased bleeding and discomfort.