Wisdom Teeth Extraction Truro, NS
The wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars to come in. They will usually appear around someone’s late teens or early twenties. While there are some people whose wisdom teeth are perfectly healthy and won’t cause issues for their smile, most people will have to have their wisdom teeth extracted.
When Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
One good rule of thumb is that it’s easier to remove wisdom teeth at a younger age when the roots of the wisdom teeth haven’t completely formed, the bone surrounding the teeth is softer and there is less chance of damaging nerves. This means that you should continue to see your Truro dentist every six months for routine cleanings and exams to check the progress of your wisdom teeth. We recommend that everyone have their wisdom teeth extracted by the age of 25.
Reasons To Have Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted
Some people may never even notice any pain or discomfort when their wisdom teeth come in, so they may wonder why these teeth need to be extracted in the first place. However, wisdom teeth can become impacted or get stuck. If you or your teen’s mouth is too small to make room for these molars, they could even grow in at an angle. This can ultimately cause damage to neighboring teeth. If you wait to have wisdom teeth removed, complications can occur including fractured teeth, severe bleeding, and numbness.
Our Truro, NS dentist might recommend a wisdom tooth extraction if:
•The wisdom tooth is causing pain, discomfort, or other problems
•X-rays show future complications
•The wisdom teeth are causing damage to other teeth
•The teeth are causing damage to the jaw (this often occurs when cysts form around the wisdom tooth)
•They cause sinus-related problems
•They cause gum irritation and inflammation
•They are causing infections or cavities
•And if the wisdom teeth could impact the alignment of your teeth (this can be particularly disheartening for a teen who has already had braces to correct his or her smile)
Wisdom Teeth Removal Process
Before your wisdom teeth are removed, we will administer a local anesthesia to numb the area. In some cases, sedation dentistry will also be used to help relax the patient during their procedure. To remove the wisdom teeth, we will open up the gums and remove the bone that covers the wisdom tooth. Then we will cut the tooth into pieces to make it easier to remove. If the wisdom teeth have fully erupted, then only a simple extraction is required (in which the teeth are pulled using forceps).
Once the teeth are removed we will stitch up the gums. In many cases, these stitches will dissolve over time. After the stitches have been placed, we will place a gauze pad over the areas to stop bleeding.
Post-Op Instructions & Recovery Time
The recovery period for wisdom tooth extraction is fairly
fast, lasting only a couple of days. We will prescribe painkillers to take as
needed for discomfort or pain. You will also need to follow a soft-food diet.
You can slowly reintroduce more solid foods to your diet as your mouth begins
to heal. We will provide you with a list of do’s and don’ts after your wisdom
tooth surgery.