Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are the third molars, found in the very back of the mouth in both the upper and lower jaws. Most people never see their wisdom teeth because they are removed before they erupt. Other people experience severe pain, discomfort, and oral health problems because these molars try to erupt but don’t have enough room to do so. At Ingleside Family Dental in Ladson, SC, we offer both routine and emergency wisdom tooth extractions.
Wisdom Tooth Complications
There was a time when humans needed those third molars to help them eat. Evolution, however, has changed our mouths and made them smaller, making these very back molars obsolete. Unfortunately, wisdom teeth have stuck around and there simply isn’t enough space in the mouth for them to stay permanently. As a result, their appearance, usually in the late teens or early adulthood, can cause many problems:
- Severe pain
- Damaged teeth
- Crowding
- Misalignment
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Infection
- Tooth decay
If your dentist or orthodontist recommends wisdom tooth extraction, take their advice and have the procedure done. You never want to wait for wisdom teeth to wreak havoc on your oral health.
Differences Between Impacted And Partially Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth develop under the gumline, just like all teeth, but they rarely erupt perfectly and vertically in their proper position. When wisdom teeth begin to cause problems, it’s because they are impacted and wisdom tooth extraction is unavoidable.
An impacted wisdom tooth can mean one of two things: The tooth may have erupted partially through the gum but is caught beneath the gum line or in the jaw, or the tooth may not have erupted at all but developed incorrectly and is positioned diagonally or horizontally under the gums, pushing into the second molar.
Ultimately, a wisdom tooth that’s on the move or stuck while trying to move is going to cause plenty of problems as well as pain.
The Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure
In an ideal world, everyone’s wisdom tooth extractions are done as a routine procedure scheduled in advance. Unfortunately, wisdom teeth have a mind of their own and can sometimes develop into a dental emergency before you have a chance to take care of them. Whatever the circumstances, wisdom tooth extraction is done the same – under anesthesia, usually at your dentist’s office or perhaps at the local hospital or outpatient clinic. The complexity of your case, the urgency of it, and your dentist’s preference will all play a role.
The procedure typically goes like this:
- An incision is made to expose both tooth and bone.
- The wisdom tooth and roots are extracted in pieces until they are fully removed.
- All debris is carefully cleaned out of the socket.
- The area is stitched shut.
- Gauze is used to staunch bleeding.
Patients must be escorted home from the procedure and several days to weeks of downtime will be necessary. It is so important to follow your dentist’s instructions for recovery, including cleaning the surgical area, managing pain, and eating, to ensure that everything heals properly.
Cost Factors Of Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Your dentist can provide a base price for wisdom tooth extraction because it is a routine procedure. Other factors may affect the bottom line, however, including:
- Whether the extraction is routine or an emergency
- The complexity of the case
- Any treatments needed to correct problems caused by wisdom teeth
- The type and amount of anesthesia used
- The number of teeth removed
Get Wisdom Tooth Extraction Near Me In Ladson, SC
Ingleside Family Dental is a family dentistry practice in Ladson, SC, and we offer routine wisdom tooth extractions to patients to help them maintain their oral health. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or if you are having a dental emergency.
