Are you looking for a local dental clinic for wisdom tooth removal near El Dorado Hills?
Third molars, or the teeth you more likely know as your “wisdom teeth,” are late-arriving teeth that typically come in during a person's late teens or early adulthood. Unfortunately, they can significantly elevate your risk of encountering a variety of oral health issues. The good news is that wisdom tooth extraction is extremely common, and thanks to advances in dental technology and anesthesia, it is generally a straightforward and relatively comfortable procedure.
Here's a closer look at wisdom teeth, the risk they pose, and what you need to know about the wisdom tooth extraction process.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth typically start coming in at the top and bottom in the back of the mouth between the ages of 17 and 25, which is why we provide wisdom teeth removal for teens in El Dorado Hills. Although they were essential for earlier humans, wisdom teeth no longer serve any purpose today. What’s worse, they directly cause misalignment, overcrowding, and severe pain and infection when they become impacted.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Sometimes Require Extraction?
Why should you remove your wisdom teeth? Here are three common reasons why wisdom teeth require extraction:
- Impaction: That word again. Wisdom teeth often lack sufficient space to emerge properly, causing impaction, which can lead to awful pain, infection, and damage to adjacent teeth.
- Dental misalignment: The late arrival of wisdom teeth means other teeth are already established in place. Often, wisdom teeth disrupt the alignment of existing teeth, causing them to shift or become overcrowded.
- Inflammation and infection: Due to their inconvenient location at the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth are challenging to care for effectively, making them susceptible to infection and decay.
The Wisdom Tooth Extraction Process
What should you expect from wisdom tooth extraction? Here’s an overview of the entire process:
- Anesthesia: Before the procedure, your dentist will apply a local (or, in more complex cases, general) anesthetic to ensure your complete comfort throughout.
- Tooth removal: The process of removing wisdom teeth can vary depending on the position and impaction of the teeth. Some require minimal effort with basic tools, while others have to be removed in pieces.
- Closure: After extraction, your dentist will close the site with sutures and place gauze to minimize bleeding.
During recovery, you may have some mild to moderate pain, swelling, or minor bleeding. However, wisdom tooth extraction typically has a relatively short recovery period, with complete healing usually occurring within two weeks. Your dentist will provide post-procedure instructions to facilitate a smooth healing process, including limited activity initially and a soft food diet for the first day or two.
Smooth, Stress-Free Wisdom Tooth Extraction in El Dorado Hills, CA
If you’re in El Dorado Hills and looking for a top-quality dental team with extensive experience expertly guiding teens and young adults through the wisdom tooth extraction process, contact dentist Dr. Mohamad Albik, our wisdom tooth dentist near El Dorado Hills, to schedule a consultation.