Wisdom Teeth Extraction

By the age of 18, the average adult has 32 teeth; 16 teeth on the top and 16 teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine, and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth (molar teeth) are used to grind food up into a consistency suitable for swallowing.

The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These four other teeth are your third molars, also known as "wisdom teeth."

Why Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to successfully erupt.

These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the teeth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain, and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom teeth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Post-Op Instructions

Do Not Disturb the Wound

In doing so you may invite irritation, infection and/or bleeding. Chew on the opposite side for the first 24 hours.

Do Not Smoke for 12 Hours

Smoking will promote bleeding and interfere with healing.

Do Not Spit or Suck Through a Straw

This will promote bleeding and may dislodge the blood clot, which could result in a dry socket.

Control of Bleeding

If the area is not closed with stitches, a pressure pack made of folded sterile gauze pads will be placed over the socket. It is important that this pack stay in place to control bleeding and to encourage clot formation. The gauze is usually kept in place for 30 minutes. If the bleeding has not stopped once the original pack is removed, place a new gauze pad over the extraction site.

Control of Swelling

After surgery, some swelling is to be expected. This can be controlled through the use of cold packs, which slow the circulation. A cold pack is usually placed at the site of swelling during the first 24 hours in a cycle of 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.

After the first 24 hours, it is advisable to rinse with warm saltwater every two hours to promote healing. (one teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of warm water).

Medication for Pain Control

Anti-inflammatory medication such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen are used to control minor discomfort following oral surgery. Stronger analgesics may be prescribed by our Houston dentist if the patient is in extreme discomfort.

Diet and Nutrition

A soft diet may be prescribed for the patient for a few days following surgery.

Notes

Following the removal of your wisdom teeth it is important that you call our office if any unusual bleeding, swelling or pain occurs. The first 6-8 hours after the extraction are typically the worst, but are manageable with ice packs and non-prescription pain medication. You should also plan to see Dr. Shen approximately one week later to ensure everything is healing well.

It is very important to talk to Dr. Shen about extraction procedure, risks, possible complications and outcomes of the removal of these teeth. The actual extraction may be done by Dr. Shen or it may be referred to an oral surgeon, who is a specialist. This decision is based on the dentist's preference and the unique features of each individual case. If you are unsure about whether or not to proceed with the treatment suggested by Dr. Shen , it is a good idea to get a second opinion. If you decide after consulting with Dr. Shen to not have any teeth extracted, they should be monitored at every dental visit.