Oral Surgery: It s Time to Pull the Wisdom Teeth

It is an awful day when those words are uttered. Whether fifteen or thirty-five, one never wants to hear the words from a dentist or oral surgeon. Wisdom teeth extraction is neither a pleasant nor welcomed thought, but in most cases, it must be done.

What are they and why must they go? Wisdom teeth are simply a third set of molars that grow in later in life. Typically a person can expect to see or feel them by their mid-twenties. However, there are some people that will not get all four. Some may have zero wisdom teeth. Because of our increased education regarding dental care, most people today do not require a new set of molars, which once may have replaced teeth that had fallen out or been extracted. In many cases, in fact, the teeth fail to grow in properly, and as a result, are left impacted - under the gum line - and can cause discomfort, crowding of the existing teeth, along with a host of other complications. When this is the case, they must be removed to prevent serious problems in the future. Even for those that are lucky enough to have their wisdom teeth grow in fully, it might be suggested that the teeth are removed. Because they are not needed, there may not be enough room to accommodate them, and due to the fact that they are located so far at the back of the mouth, it can be burdensome to keep them cleaned properly. When plaque is allowed to build up in that area, there is an increased likelihood of decay or gum disease.

What does the procedure involve? The process will depend on many factors, but the most significant one is how they have developed and aligned themselves. In cases of impaction, the process of removal can become more intrusive. In some cases, bone may have to be removed to release the tooth. A professional who performs oral surgery will be able to provide a tentative outline of what to expect from the procedure. It is important to recall that this is a very common practice in the dental world. These professionals have very likely seen cases far worse than yours. If anxiety runs high, the oral surgeon will probably recommend sedation via a medication such as valium or nitrous oxide.

What should I expect post-op? There are several things that one should be prepared to experience after the visit to oral surgery Colorado Springs.

Bleeding is one of the most common matters to be addressed. Sterile gauze will be provided to help keep the area clean and help stop the bleeding. Remember to apply pressure by closing your jaw over the gauze should bleeding persist.

Dry Socket While one does not always like to consider bleeding in the mouth, the blood clots that form in the areas treated are important. The doctor will give a list of activities that should be avoided so the clot is not dislodged. This would result in a dry socket, which allows the bone and nerves access to air, food, and other possible contaminants. This condition can be quite painful.

Facial swelling This is common for the first couple of days post-op, but with cold compress, it can be quickly controlled and reduced. The pain killers provided may also contain anti-inflammatory agents that will help keep swelling down.

No Food The amount of food that the patient will be allotted for the first few hours after the procedure will be very limited. Until the anesthesia has worn off, just liquids will be allowed and for the first few days after the procedure, the patient will want to avoid anything but soft foods that don't require a lot of chewing. Within a few days after the extraction, the diet will return to normal and any pain should cease.