Wisdom Teeth Removal
Getting Wise About Wisdom Teeth!
You’ve probably heard about the wisdom teeth—maybe a friend or family member whose had them removed, or perhaps you’ve seen a video of someone being recorded after their procedure, saying and doing really funny things! Wisdom teeth are the molars found in the very back of your mouth. These teeth usually appear in late teens or early twenties, but in some cases, they may fail to erupt due to lack of room in the jaw, or the angle of entry. The most common type of impacted wisdom tooth is “mesial”, meaning that the tooth is angled forward—toward the front of the mouth.
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Frederick, MD
When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed. If it is not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and even gum disease.
Because each patient's situation is unique, your dentist will take a panoramic X-ray to determine whether your wisdom teeth will need to be removed. If your dentist recommends wisdom teeth removal in Frederick, MD, it is best to have them removed sooner rather than later.
When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
Typically, the ideal time for wisdom teeth removal is in a patient’s late teens or early twenties. This is because there is a greater chance that the roots have not fully formed and the bone surrounding the teeth is less dense. These two factors can make extraction easier, as well as making the recovery time much shorter.
What Does The Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure Look Like?
When you visit us for Frederick, MD wisdom teeth removal, your dentist will first numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. Additional medication may be used to safely sedate you during the extraction if you are feeling nervous about the procedure. Since the impacted tooth may still be under the gums and imbedded in your jaw bone, your dentist will need to remove a portion of the covering bone to extract the tooth. To minimize the amount of bone that is removed with the tooth, your dentist will often “section” your wisdom tooth so that each piece can be removed through a small opening in the bone.
Once your wisdom teeth have been extracted, the healing process begins. Healing time will vary depending on the complexity of the extraction. Your dentist will let you know what to expect and will provide instructions for a comfortable, efficient healing process.
Contact the Best General & Family Dentist in Frederick, MD!
We at Monocacy Valley Dental hope this information has been helpful. If you’d like to know more about Frederick MD wisdom teeth removal, or if you have any questions related to the procedure, we encourage you to contact us today, and we’ll be happy to help. You may also request an appointment by filling out our easy online form. We look forward to hearing from you!