Wisdom Teeth Removal & Extractions | Crystal Lake Dental (2024)

Wisdom Teeth Removal

While not all patients will have to have their wisdom teeth removed, those who do will enjoy comfortable wisdom teeth extractions at Practice Name.

We are also happy to refer patients who are feeling moderately anxious about the wisdom tooth extraction procedure. We are fortunate to be in contact with excellent oral surgeons who will take extra steps to ensure that these patients have the best and most enjoyable experience.

Our smiles are always changing. That’s why at Practice Name, our top priority is to keep our patients’ teeth bright, functional and healthy at every stage of their lives.

Does everyone have wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth (also called third molars) usually erupt, or come in when patients are between 17 and 21 years of age. Of course, every patient is different; some may have between 0 and 4 third molars. Although it’s less likely, a few patients will have more than four wisdom teeth. But generally, most people have 4 wisdom teeth. In some cases, they might not even emerge in the oral cavity, but remain trapped inside the jawbone.

Video 04:37 | Having Third Molar Surgery by The American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Do all wisdom teeth have to be extracted?

For many patients, their wisdom teeth will erupt without any major inconveniences. In these instances, wisdom teeth don’t need to be removed. However, quite often, there is simply not enough space in the jaw for these molars to emerge correctly. That’s why they can end up becoming impacted, or stuck in the jaw, unable to erupt. They can also erupt at an angle that makes it difficult for them to clean and maintain the area. In either case, dentists suggest extraction of the molars, as this helps to prevent subsequent and more significant problems like cavities, gum disease, and crooked teeth.

What is the extraction procedure of wisdom teeth?

It usually takes about one to two hours for the extraction of third molars. As well, patients are permitted to leave the clinic shortly after the procedure is completed. But this time can vary according to the complexity of the procedure; for example, impacted molars will require more time than well-positioned ones to remove.

Regardless of the degree of difficulty involved, the general procedure is the same. The dentist first numbs the area with a local anesthetic. In a simple extraction, he will remove the tooth immediately after the injection. In a complex or surgical extraction, the dentist will need to first make a small incision in the gum tissue for the purpose of accessing the tooth. Often, the dentist will cut the tooth into smaller pieces for the purpose of making the procedure more straightforward.

Once finished, the dentist needs to close the surgical site so that the healing process can begin. For the initial two or three days, the patient should expect their cheeks to swell. But as time goes on, the swelling and soreness will fade. Prior to leaving the office, the dentist will write a prescription for medications to help lessen discomfort.

What happens when patients leave their wisdom teeth in?

As mentioned previously, not every patient will need to have their wisdom teeth removed. But if the dentist advises their extraction after evaluating the patient and the patient doesn’t remove them, wisdom teeth can eventually cause significant problems to develop.

Third molars can be a great inconvenience if a patient has already undergone treatment to straighten their teeth. As these molars struggle to come in, the neighboring teeth are placed under excessive pressure, which can result in further misalignment and crowding.

Another common risk associated with wisdom teeth is the development of gum disease. When molars erupt at the wrong angle or in the wrong position, keeping the area clean can become a challenge. As a result, the gum tissue located around the molar can become infected and painful, causing the wisdom teeth pain that’s so typical, but so dreaded.

It’s for all of these reasons that Dr. Name always recommends taking a proactive approach when extracting wisdom teeth. If patients start to notice any of the following symptoms, they should get in touch with our office as soon as possible: