Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth are molars often referred to as the “third” molars. This additional set of teeth is the last set to emerge. While our mouths have room for 28 teeth, these molars result in a total of 32. Causing pain and discomfort, the Wisdom Teeth may also cause damage to healthier teeth through crowding.

Often protruding in individuals between the ages of 17 and 25, most people will have to have them removed at some point. Removal and the process can depend on several factors and some never have to have them removed at all.

If you are nervous about the process and downtime after removal, we can put your mind at ease.  Dr. Kass is a highly skilled and well-trained medical professional who focuses on patient care and comfort.

Why Do They Need to Come Out?

As stated above, most people have room for 28 teeth. Wisdom teeth adds four to that number. If you are one of the many who are unable to accommodate the addition to your gums, your teeth may become impacted. This means that the wisdom teeth are unable to break through the gums and line up with the others.

This can be painful and cause other issues to your health. Removal of the wisdom teeth will free up room in your mouth.

Wisdom teeth can cause severely painful infections that lead to other health problems. With impacted Wisdom Teeth, food and bacteria may become trapped. Having the teeth removed reduces the risk of and existence of infection.

If your Wisdom Teeth do not become impacted but do protrude it is likely that they will come in crooked as to fit in their space. Your teeth shift and move with changes. Adding four additional teeth to your mouth means that other well-placed healthy teeth may shift to accommodate.

It is important to your smile that your wisdom teeth be removed before this crowding and shifting occurs.

The pressure that these four teeth can put on your others will cause other problems as well. You are more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease as brushing and flossing will be more difficult.

The Procedure

It’s important to your comfort to be prepared for the procedure that will provide much-needed relief. We start with a consultation to assess your individual needs.

On the day of extraction your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area. It may be necessary to use general anesthetic so that you sleep through the procedure. This may be necessary when multiple Wisdom Teeth are removed at once, or in the event that your teeth are impacted.

Your dentist will remove any tissue or bone that is covering the tooth. At this point they will either cut the tooth into smaller pieces or extract the entire tooth at one time. The factors determining the procedure will depend on heavily on whether the teeth are impacted. If the teeth have already emerged it can be as simple as a standard extraction.