Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Are You Having Problems with Your Wisdom Teeth?
Don’t worry. You are not alone. 85% of all wisdom teeth will likely need to be removed, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS)
Are You Anxious or Concerned about the Procedure?
Relax. It’s normal to feel anxious and concerned. That’s why we strongly recommend that you schedule a consult with our Dentists.
Our Dentists will answer all your questions about wisdom teeth and your treatment options.
Schedule a Consultation to Learn More.
A consult with Dr. Miguel A. Martinez Jr. can ease your worries. You’ll learn about your wisdom teeth and find out about your treatment options as well as the available alternatives. You’ll also learn about your options for pain management and how they can help you relax and make the procedure comfortable.
Do My Wisdom Teeth Need to Come Out if They Haven’t Been a Problem Yet?
Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. However, it is helpful to have a thorough consultation with an oral surgeon to help you with this decision.
When Should I Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Optimal results occur when wisdom teeth are removed by age 17 and best results with fewest complications occur up to age 25. Researchers have found that the risk of complications from surgery only increases with age.
Help. I Am in Pain Now. What Should I Do?
Big infections come with sharp, localized pain that affect your mouth, gums, teeth and your entire body. If you are in pain now, you need to be attended to immediately or as soon as possible.
Will the Procedure Hurt?
Not likely. our Dentists use local anesthesia to reduce or eliminate your discomfort and anxiety. These options can make the procedure more tolerable and relaxing, perhaps even enjoyable. In fact, the removal of a wisdom tooth or an impacted tooth is a minor surgical operation. The entire surgery may last for a series of minutes, depending on the difficulty of the procedure, with the whole appointment lasting an hour or so.
What is the Recovery Like?
You should expect some swelling and soreness after having your wisdom teeth removed. You may even notice slight discoloration of the skin. Don’t be alarmed. This is normal. Detailed instructions and medications will be given to you by our Dentists to enhance your comfort during recovery, and minimize swelling. We believe in “nothing worse than sore.”
Will There Be Complications?
No complications are expected. Nevertheless, any operation carries some risk.
If the impacted teeth are in the lower jaw, they may rest near a nerve that serves the lip or tongue. While all precautions will be taken, there is a chance that the nerve will become irritated. This may result in some temporary numbness or altered feeling of the lower lip or tongue, rarely permanent, rarely bothersome.
Upper impacted teeth may be near the sinus, a hollow part of the upper jaw. Occasionally, an opening to the sinus could result, requiring special care and/or closure.
I Have No Pain Now. Why Should I Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
1. Silent Infections
Just because you don’t have pain doesn’t mean that you don’t have a wisdom tooth problem or an infected tooth. It’s a fact: 33% of all patients who have a wisdom tooth showing are already suffering from a “silent infection” by the age of 25.
“Silent infections” affect not only your mouth, teeth and gums but your whole body health. These painless, longstanding infections have been linked to heart disease, stroke, and low birth weight pregnancies later in life.
2. Unseen Damage to Teeth, Gums and Bone
Wisdom teeth can also cause damage to your teeth, gums and bone. In fact, oral surgeons report that 24% of their patients have had wisdom teeth that have damaged other teeth. Moreover, 42% of patients exhibit gum damage from adjacent wisdom teeth.
3. Greater Risk of Gum Disease and Diseases of the Mouth
Not removing your wisdom teeth increases your risk for gum disease and diseases of your entire mouth over threefold.