If you are in your late teens or early twenties and still have your wisdom teeth in place, now may be the time to schedule an examination. And if your wisdom teeth have already begun causing you pain or discomfort, it is important to have them extracted sooner rather than later. Wisdom teeth removal is an incredibly common and safe procedure that can ultimately prevent more serious dental complications down the road. And the earlier you have it done, the smoother your experience will be.
Our doctors have a wealth of experience performing wisdom teeth removal for patients in Burbank, CA, and the surrounding communities.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Most of us develop 32 permanent adult teeth throughout our life. The last teeth to emerge are known as the wisdom teeth or third molars. Most people get their wisdom teeth between 17 and 21, but this can vary from one person to the next.
For most people, the jaw simply is not large enough to fit these final molars. As such, the wisdom teeth may become impacted, meaning they remain submerged under the gum tissue, with no clear path for eruption. The wisdom teeth may also cause crowding and spacing issues or else result in chronic pain.
The best way to address these concerns is to simply have the wisdom teeth extracted. Doing so earlier in life is usually easier, as it can ensure a smoother procedure and a more straightforward recovery.
Why Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
- Discomfort and sensitivity around the impacted teeth
- Infection in and around the gums
- Damage to adjacent teeth
- Cysts around the jawbone
Ultimately, wisdom teeth removal is an investment in the long-term health and integrity of your smile. If you do not have your wisdom teeth removed, you may encounter more severe health issues down the road.
How Wisdom Teeth Removal Works
Before you have your wisdom teeth removed, we will perform a brief physical examination of your teeth, gums, and jaw. Your doctor may also take medical images, such as X-rays, or simply review the images forwarded from your regular dentist.
Your doctor will outline the removal process and discuss the sedation and anesthesia options available to you. Your consultation is also a great opportunity to ask your doctor any questions you may have about the procedure. At Burbank Periodontics, we are passionate about patient education, and we are always happy to provide you with plenty of information about your care plan.
You will be placed under IV sedation for your procedure, ensuring no discomfort. The specific method we use to extract your wisdom teeth will depend on several factors, including the number of wisdom teeth, the angle of those wisdom teeth, and whether or not they are impacted.
Once your wisdom teeth are safely removed, you will be provided with full aftercare instructions. It is important to follow these instructions carefully to minimize your risk of infection.
You can anticipate some mild discomfort following your wisdom teeth removal, but this discomfort is easily managed with ibuprofen for most patients. For the first 48 hours, you will experience some swelling, which you can mitigate with the use of ice packs. You will also need to start on a liquid and soft food diet but can transition to a more regular diet as you feel able.
Recovery and Aftercare
In most cases, the recovery period lasts only a few days. Take painkillers as prescribed by your Periodontist. Listed below are some post-op surgery tips:
- Change the cotton gauzes periodically to keep the wound clean.
- Be careful to avoid biting your lip, tongue or cheeks post surgery as a result of the applied anesthesia.
- To minimize swelling, you can apply ice packs to the sides of your face where surgery was performed.
- Avoid using a straw during the healing process. The sucking movement can loosen the blood clot and increase the healing time.
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You’re in Good Hands with Burbank Periodontics
Having wisdom teeth removed is a safe procedure and an excellent way to prevent future health problems.
To learn more about the procedure, we invite you to schedule a consultation in Burbank at (818) 842-6162.
