• Impacted wisdom teeth – When wisdom teeth are unable to erupt through the gums normally, they may grow at an angle or lack sufficient space to emerge properly. This can cause swollen or tender gums, jaw pain, bad breath, and pain when opening your mouth.
• Gum inflammation – Also called pericoronitis, this is a gum disease that occurs when the wisdom teeth do not have enough room to erupt through the gums. As a result, they may only partially come through the gum, which may lead to inflammation and infection of the soft gum tissue around the wisdom tooth.
• Infection – Wisdom teeth are difficult to clean, which makes them more prone to infection and cyst formation.
• Crowding – Sometimes wisdom teeth take up too much space in the mouth, which can cause the crowding of other teeth and lead to pain, damage, or discomfort.
• Persistent pain – The eruption of your wisdom teeth can cause pain. Sometimes this pain is intermittent, but if you suffer from persistent pain, you should visit your dentist for an x-ray and examination.

What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure

Wisdom teeth removal is a surgical procedure to remove one or more wisdom teeth. The process starts with an exam to see how much space you have for your wisdom teeth to grow and whether or not you have an impacted wisdom tooth, and how they are positioned.

In cases where you have symptoms or your dentist predicts problems with your wisdom teeth, you can schedule an appointment to have them removed. Either a dentist or oral surgeon will perform the wisdom tooth removal procedure.

They can either be removed in the dental chair or under a local anesthetic or your dentist may recommend that you are sedated while having the extractions done in the chair. Alternatively, the procedure can be done under general anesthesia in the hospital or a specialist’s rooms.

Most wisdom tooth removal surgeries last about 40 to 90 minutes.

On the Day

Depending on the procedure, your dentist or oral surgeon will administer local or general anesthesia. You won’t feel any pain throughout the procedure.

During the wisdom tooth extraction procedure, your dentist or oral surgeon will follow these steps:

• Step 1 – An incision will be made in the gum tissue that is covering the wisdom tooth.
• Step 2 – Your tooth may have to be divided into pieces for extraction
• Step 3 – Your dentist will remove the tooth
• Step 4 – The extraction site will be cleaned to ensure no remnants of your tooth remain
• Step 5 – In some cases, you’ll need stitches. Otherwise, a piece of gauze or cotton is placed over the extraction site to control bleeding and help form blood clots

Depending on the type of anesthesia you received, you will be placed in a recovery room after your procedure. Your dentist will explain your post-op care.

You will need to ask a friend or family member to drive you to and from your appointment, as you may be drowsy from the anesthesia. Your dentist will also prescribe medication for any pain you may experience after the procedure.

Post-Surgery Recovery

For the first 24 hours after your wisdom tooth extraction:

• Avoid rinsing your mouth, as this could dislodge the blood clot that formed in the extraction site. This is called a dry socket, and it is the most common complication of wisdom tooth removal.
• Don’t consume any alcohol or use alcohol-based mouthwash.
• Only eat soft foods and avoid hot foods or beverages, as you may not feel the degree of heat if your gums and mouth are still numb.
• Don’t brush your teeth close to the extraction site.
• Take your pain medication as prescribed even if you don’t feel pain immediately.

It may take up to one to two weeks to recover from your wisdom tooth extraction. However, you should be able to return to work or school two to three days after your procedure.

Why Choose Top Beverly Hills Dentist?

Wisdom tooth extraction is one of the most common dental surgical procedures in the U.S.; however, many patients still fear wisdom teeth removal. Dr. Joseph Goodman and his team have extensive experience providing specialized care to patients with impacted wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth in need of removal.

For more information about the procedure, or to book a consultation with Dr. Goodman, call (424) 344-4597 or look through our website.