Impacted wisdom teeth can cause cosmetic and oral health concerns, and in many instances, wisdom teeth that are impacted require removal.
While the procedure can cause some anxiety within patients, it is a fairly simply surgical procedure for most dentists and oral surgeons.
It is natural for many patients to be nervous before a wisdom teeth extraction. However, having a full understanding of what is to be expected before, during and after surgery can help calm that anxiety.
The following is everything you need to know about the treatment process for impacted wisdom teeth.
Impacted wisdom teeth do not always cause complications. However, there are instances where impacted wisdom teeth can cause other teeth to shift, lead to pain in either the wisdom teeth or surrounding teeth or cause swelling of the gums, in which case, the impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed.
Since impacted wisdom teeth do not come in fully, they can be difficult, if not impossible, for a dentist to diagnose through oral examination. Instead, impacted wisdom teeth are usually diagnosed through dental X-rays, although a dentist is likely to take the patient’s symptoms, medical history and oral examination into consideration as well.
If impacted wisdom teeth grow in improperly, pushing up against other teeth, increasing the risk of infection or damaging gums, wisdom teeth removal may be needed.
Although removing impacted wisdom teeth removal is a surgical procedure, it is fairly simple for many dentists and oral surgeons to complete in a timely manner.
The surgery procedure first involves the patient being placed under local anaesthetic or in some instances, sedation or general anesthetic. After which, the dentist or oral surgeon makes an incision into the gums and extracts the impacted wisdom teeth. After extraction, the dentist or oral surgeon fills the now empty space and closes the gums.
The entire procedure usually only takes several hours, although the exact time tends to vary from patient to patient. The procedure itself is completely painless, since the patient is under anesthesia.
Although the procedure itself is painless, there is likely to be some pain and discomfort following wisdom teeth extract that needs to be dealt with properly. Be sure to follow all the dentist's instructions in order to ensure proper care is administered.
Be sure to avoid anything that irritates the affected area, such as hard-to-chew foods and vigorous brushing. It also may be helpful to take anti-inflammatory medication to manage the pain and swelling of the affected area. Additionally, many find it helpful to place ice on the skin above the affected areas for several hours each day.
It usually takes approximately two weeks to make a full recovery from wisdom teeth extraction. However, most are able to return to their daily routine within the first week after having their wisdom teeth removed. Be sure to contact the dentist if any severe bleeding occurs during the recovery process.
Request an appointment here: https://familychoicedentistry.com or call Family Choice Dental at (505) 634-5657 for an appointment in our Albuquerque office.
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