Wisdom Tooth Removal for Pain Relief
Wisdom teeth are also known as the third molars. They appear in the very back of the mouth, usually in a person’s late teens or early twenties, but most people have wisdom tooth extraction surgery before this complication occurs. At Premier Smile Center in Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Charmaine Johnson conducts routine wisdom tooth extraction procedures to prevent oral health problems from developing and eliminate the pain caused by impacted wisdom teeth
Problems Caused by Wisdom Teeth
Most mouths do not have the room to accommodate wisdom teeth. We’ve come a long way from our ancestors and those extra teeth are now unnecessary for biting and chewing a modern diet. Though evolution has changed human mouths to have little need for four extra molars, it hasn’t made those molars disappear. Hence, the need for wisdom tooth extraction.
When wisdom teeth erupt incorrectly or at an angle – known as impacted wisdom teeth – this can potentially damage the rest of the mouth and cause:
- Severe pain and discomfort
- Bite misalignment
- Crowding
- Tooth or jaw damage
- Infection
- Tooth decay
When you aren’t sure if the oral health problem you’re experiencing is an impacted wisdom tooth – not all impactions erupt but stay underneath the gumline – symptoms like jaw pain, swelling, sensitivity, and stiffness are all clear indicators. Nevertheless, always see your dentist right away to find out if you’re dealing with impacted wisdom teeth or have another oral health issue that’s causing the discomfort.
The Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure
Wisdom tooth extraction is done under anesthesia. Where the procedure is done will depend on the complexity of the case as well as the patient’s anxiety about the procedure. Sometimes the extraction can occur at the dentist’s office, but often it is done at an outpatient clinic or the hospital.
In general, extraction goes as follows:
- An incision is made in the gums to the expose both the tooth and root.
- The tooth is removed, sometimes in pieces, as well as the root.
- The socket is cleaned of debris.
- The wound is stitched and closed completely.
- Gauze is used to control bleeding and help with blood clot formation.
The patient must be accompanied home from their procedure. Your dentist will provide detailed instructions about wound care, pain management, eating, and when regular activity can resume. Remember that wisdom tooth reaction is a surgery and healing must be complete before life can get back to normal.
Cost Factors for Wisdom Tooth Extraction
There is only one way to get rid of wisdom teeth and that is to have them extracted. The cost factors for this procedure will vary. If the extraction is planned and routine, it is likely to have a lower cost than an emergency extraction that must be done at a moment’s notice. Other cost factors include:
- Number of teeth being removed
- Whether teeth are impacted or partially impacted
- Damage to other teeth that needs to be fixed
- Dentist’s experience
- Location of the dental practice
Don’t let your worries about cost prevent you from contacting your Fort Lauderdale dentist. There are plenty of financing options available to cover what’s happening in your mouth. Sudden mouth or tooth pain, discomfort, or irritation always warrants an emergency call to your dentist. These could be signs that your wisdom teeth are making moves and need to be extracted before they cause even greater pain and damage.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Fort Lauderdale
If you have concerns about wisdom teeth in your mouth or your teen’s mouth, or you suspect that the oral health problems you’re experiencing are a direct result of wisdom teeth, contact Premier Smile Center in Fort Lauderdale. Dr. Johnson can see you for an emergency dental appointment, if necessary, diagnosis the situation, and deliver treatment to make the pain stop and protect your teeth and gums from damage.