Resolve Dental Pain and Restore Oral Health with Expert Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, typically emerge during the late teenage years or early adulthood (between ages 17 and 25). At this age, most people have fully erupted teeth, so the jaw space doesn’t usually have enough space to accommodate extra teeth. Because of insufficient space, wisdom teeth may remain impacted in the jawbone or grow at an angle, creating pressure on the surrounding teeth.
While not all third molars must be removed, Biggio Dental Care recommends the extraction of troublesome wisdom teeth. Extractions might be intimidating, but not in our office. Dr. Chad Biggio uses modern anesthetics, gentle techniques, and possibly sedation dentistry to optimize your comfort during extractions.
Why do wisdom teeth need to be extracted?
Dr. Biggio will likely recommend removing your wisdom tooth if it is:
- Impacted: When the tooth can’t break through the gums because of insufficient space, it remains trapped (impacted) beneath the gum line. If left untreated, impacted teeth can cause permanent damage to the surrounding nerves and jawbone.Â
- Partially erupted: Sometimes, the tooth barely breaks through the gums and can’t form a good seal with the surrounding gingival tissues. Often, partial eruption increases the risk of infections and other complications.
- Angled tooth: Wisdom teeth can grow at an angle, pushing against other teeth and the surrounding structures.Â
What are the symptoms of troublesome wisdom teeth?
Some people are lucky enough to live with wisdom teeth without experiencing any problems. However, this is rarely the case. Most of the time, wisdom teeth cause the symptoms below, and extraction is usually the best course of treatment.
Have your wisdom teeth removed if you experience the following signs.
- Pain and discomfort
- Infection risk
- Damage to the surrounding teeth
- Swelling in the jaw and face
- Overcrowding
We recommend early removal of wisdom teeth before they become firmly rooted in the jawbone. Besides easier removal, addressing your wisdom teeth saves you from unnecessary discomfort and tooth damage.Â
What is the process of extracting teeth?
Has your wisdom tooth erupted through the gums? A simple extraction will be enough to manage your dental issue. After numbing your gums, the dentist rocks the tooth in a back-and-forth motion to loosen it from the periodontal ligaments. Once the tooth is loose, we’ll remove it and place a gauze pad to minimize bleeding.Â
Impacted wisdom teeth are removed surgically. The process starts with numbing your gums with local anesthesia. If you are anxious about the procedure, we’ll administer sedation dentistry for added comfort. The dentist will make a small incision in the gums and underlying bone to access the trapped tooth. Usually, the dentist breaks the tooth into small pieces for easier removal. The final step is to clean and suture the wound to begin healing.Â
Whether simple or surgical extraction, we’ll give post-op instructions for an event-free recovery.Â
Should I consider wisdom teeth extraction?
The decision to have your wisdom teeth removed is personal, but we are here to help you make the best decision. Call (225) 314-6995 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Biggio for an evaluation.Â