Wisdom Tooth Extraction – Dallas, TX
Preserve Your Oral Health by Removing Troublesome Teeth
Do you know if you have wisdom teeth that need to be removed because they pose a risk to your oral health? Our team at Dental Center of Lakewood has decades of combined experience, and we utilize the latest technology, like our digital X-ray imaging system, to find out whether your third molars could cause problems down the road. If you aren’t sure whether you have wisdom teeth or you’re experiencing pain in the back of your mouth, contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Drs. Spillman or Green!
Why Choose Dental Center of Lakewood for Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
- Surgical & Simple Wisdom Tooth Extractions
- In-Network with Delta Dental
- Dentists with Several Decades of Experience
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth, also commonly referred to as third molars, typically grow in between the ages of 16 and 21. While many people have all four of their wisdom teeth, it’s not uncommon for people to have one, two, or only three of them—some even have none! They’re the last teeth to grow in the mouth, and while for our Paleolithic ancestors these were crucial for chewing and digesting raw meats and hard roots and nuts, today, they don’t serve much of a purpose. In fact, many people have them extracted because they could result in oral health problems down the road.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed, but it’s typically recommended to preserve the health of your existing teeth. Here are some situations in which we may recommend removing your third molars:
- They’re impacted below the gumline
- They’re causing pain and discomfort
- They could cause an infection to form
- There’s not enough room in the mouth for them, so allowing them to grow in could lead to misalignment
What to Expect During a Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Your wisdom tooth extraction in Dallas will depend on the position of your third molars. If they’re located above the gumline, you will likely need a simple extraction. However, if they’re below the gumline, or impacted, you will require a surgical extraction.
During a simple extraction, we’ll use a pair of forceps, which are similar in design to a pair of tongs you might use in your kitchen, to gently grab the visible tooth structure and wiggle it free from the connective tissue and remove it. For surgical extractions, we’ll need to make a small incision in the gums to gain access to the impacted wisdom teeth in order to remove them.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction Aftercare
After your wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist in Dallas will provide you with thorough post-operative instructions to keep the site clean and reduce your risk of developing dry socket. Here are some directions we typically provide our patients with:
- Don’t spit or drink through a straw
- Maintain a soft diet
- Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
- Don’t exercise or engage in strenuous activity for the first few days
- Don’t rinse your mouth for at least 24 hours, then gently rinse with warm salt water regularly
- Don’t brush the extraction site
If you have any questions or concerns following your procedure, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team!