Wisdom teeth—also known as third molars—are the last set of chewing teeth to develop, usually making their appearance between ages 17 and 25. While some lucky individuals have no issues when their wisdom teeth come in, most people experience complications like crowding, pain, or impaction. In fact, about 85% of people will need them removed at some point.
At Dental Depot in Broken Arrow, we specialize in comfortable, expert wisdom tooth extractions as part of our comprehensive dental care services. We know that the thought of oral surgery can be intimidating, no matter your age, which is why our experienced and compassionate team is here to guide you every step of the way. Your comfort and oral health are always our top priorities.
Not sure if your wisdom teeth need to come out? Schedule a consultation today, and let’s find the best solution for your smile!
At Dental Depot, we’re dedicated to educating and empowering our patients so they can make the best oral health decisions for themselves and their families. From treatment options to flexible payment solutions, we believe in keeping you informed every step of the way.
Looking for more details about a procedure like wisdom teeth extraction? Our friendly team is always happy to answer your questions—just give us a call or schedule an appointment!
We’re committed to making affordable, high-quality dental care accessible to all Oklahomans, including essential procedures like wisdom teeth removal. Because everyone deserves a healthy, happy smile!
Whether your dentist or a specialist is removing your wisdom tooth the procedure is the same:
First, a local anesthetic is given to make the procedure more comfortable. In some cases, your doctor may elect to administer nitrous oxide gas in addition to the anesthetic or use a general anesthetic to put you under entirely.
Once the area is numb, the extraction begins. A dental instrument called an elevator is used to wiggle the tooth in its socket.
After the tooth is loosened it is removed using forceps or in some more complicated cases, a surgical handpiece is also used to assist with the removal of the tooth.
There is no single right answer for everyone; however, if your dentist has advised you that your wisdom teeth look potentially problematic it’s generally best to remove them sooner rather than later. This advice is based on the fact that the younger you are, the faster you heal. The likeliness of lingering numbness, jaw fracture or other complications also increases with age. Lastly, the longer you leave a troublesome wisdom tooth in your mouth, the longer it has to cause further problems in the future.
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Extraction procedures are generally quick and simple. You can expect the following during your scheduled wisdom tooth extraction:
1. Numbing. To start the procedure, you will be numbed and sedated. An anesthetic will be used to numb the areas of extraction. You may be sedated with laughing gas (nitrous oxide) or general anesthesia to make the treatment as comfortable and effective as possible.
2. Removal. Depending on the state of the wisdom tooth, the oral surgeon or dentist may make an incision in the gum line allowing the tooth to be exposed. Next, using specialized tools, the tooth is gently removed from the socket.
3. Cleaning. The site is then thoroughly cleaned to prevent infection.
4. Closure. Finally, the open wound is sutured closed to promote healing with either dissolvable sutures or stitches that must be removed later. A gauze is placed over the extraction site to help form a blood clot and control bleeding.
Swelling, discomfort, and bruising are very normal side effects after extraction. You’ll likely be sent home with medication to help you manage your pain as you recover. There can be other side effects following an extraction, including dry socket or infection. Your dentist will discuss ways these issues can be avoided. If, at any point, you feel the healing process is not progressing, or your pain level is not reducing, be sure to reach out to your dental team to be seen right away.
