Getting your head around wisdom teeth removal can make the journey a little smoother. Here, we've broken down the basics about those pesky teeth and the tell-tale signs that they might need the boot.
Wisdom teeth, a.k.a. third molars, usually pop up between ages 17 and 25. Back in our caveman days, they were useful for chomping on greenery, but now our jaws are more apartment-sized, making it a bit cramped for these latecomers. As a result, getting them yanked is as common as apple pie to keep your chompers healthy.
Spotting the signs that it's time to say adios to your wisdom teeth can spare you a world of hurt. Look out for:
Signs | What's Happening? |
---|---|
Pain or discomfort | Could mean your wisdom teeth are out of elbow room |
Swelling or infection | Improper pop-up causes this mess |
Tooth decay or gum issues | Cleaning nightmare leads to dental doom |
Impacted teeth | Stuck teeth spell more trouble |
Curious if it's time to bid farewell to your wisdom teeth? Go ahead and visit signs you need wisdom teeth removed.
Regular trips to the dentist and a good chinwag with them can help figure out the right timing for the goodbye party (when should wisdom teeth be removed). An early farewell can save you heaps of hassle and the nagging ache.
If any red flags wave in your mouth, think about getting a dental pro on the case to dodge potential disaster. For more insights, check out how do you know when your wisdom teeth need to come out.
Getting your wisdom teeth out isn't exactly a walk in the park, but thanks to modern medicine, you won't feel a thing. There are some anesthesia choices to keep you comfy during the whole shebang:
Anesthesia Type | Awareness Level | Pain? | Memory? | Recovery |
---|---|---|---|---|
Local Anesthesia | Awake | Nope | Yep | Quick |
IV Sedation | Kinda-Awake | Tiny bit | Nah | Moderate |
General Anesthesia | Snoozing | Nope | Nope | Longest |
Curious about what goes on before teeth eviction? Peek over at this guide.
Getting those mischievous teeth out comes with a few steps. Here’s how those tricky teeth are tackled:
Step | What Happens Here? |
---|---|
Incision | The gum’s opened to show the tooth and any troublemaking bone. |
Bone Removal | Saying bye to bits of bone blocking the way. |
Tooth Sectioning | The tooth plays puzzle pieces if it refuses to budge whole. |
Extraction | Clearing out all the pieces of the tooth from its cozy gum corner. |
Suturing | Tidy up time and closing the gap with stitches. |
Need more on the nitty-gritty of the surgical dance or how to handle post-op woes? Take a glance at this page.
To those pondering the ins and outs of anesthesia or the timing for tooth liberation - there’s no need to fret. Swing by our comprehensive guide on the best time to show wisdom teeth the exit sign.
When you get those pesky wisdom teeth yanked out, you'll spend around a week making friends with ice packs and mashed potatoes. Swelling and some pain are part of the package, like your body's way of throwing a tiny, uninvited party. Following doctor's orders is your VIP pass to a quicker bounce-back.
Here's a sneak peek of the healing adventure:
Days Post-Surgery | What to Expect |
---|---|
1-3 | Congrats, you're a chipmunk! Swelling and soreness peak; possible Dracula-esque bleeding |
3-5 | Swelling eases up; some lovely bruises might show; start gentle mouth rinses as if you’re swishing wine |
5-7 | Most swelling and pain should be packing their bags; stitches might dissolve like magic |
Taking care of yourself after surgery is like pampering your mouth to a spa day. Here's how to keep the healing groove going:
Looking for more tips to speed up your recovery? Check out our article on post-operative care tips. Got concerns about wisdom teeth removal risks and complications? Give your oral surgeon a shout, they're there to help!
Getting your wisdom teeth out is like a rite of passage, but it ain't without its hiccups. Some of the stuff that could pop up includes:
Complication | What Happens |
---|---|
Infection | Swelling, fever, and pus show up. |
Dry Socket | Ouch! A jarring pain from exposed bone and nerves. |
Nerve Damage | Tingly lips, tongue, or chin from nerve annoyance. |
Sinus Issues | Sinus aches or infections pulling pranks. |
Jaw Stiffness | Chewing and talking get tough with a stiff jaw. |
Got itchy to learn more about these? Check out symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth.
Sure, these litle bumps can seem unnerving, but they're far from the norm. Your dentist has some nifty moves to dodge these stumbling blocks (Dr. Wisdom Teeth). Here's the short version on keeping those risks low:
Grab more tips from our page on what to expect before wisdom teeth removal surgery.
If you check these boxes, you’re setting yourself up for a smoother ride and fewer speed bumps after getting those wisdom teeth out. For a deeper scoop on gearing up for the procedure, head over to our guides on signs you need wisdom teeth removed and how to prepare for wisdom teeth removal surgery.
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to erupt in the mouth, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. They often cause problems because there is insufficient space for them to fully emerge or they may grow in an improper position. This can lead to various issues like pain, infection, tooth decay, gum disease, and damage to adjacent teeth. Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure to address these concerns.
If you are experiencing pain, swelling, infection, damage to neighboring teeth, or overcrowding, it is advisable to consult with a dental professional who can examine your mouth and take X-rays to determine the position and condition of your wisdom teeth. Based on their assessment, they can recommend the need for wisdom teeth removal. If you do not have a dentist, please call us and set up a FREE consultation and x-ray to determine a plan that is right for you.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, third molars are referred to as wisdom teeth because their common age of eruption is between 17 and 25. Aristotle explained it this way 2500 years ago!
"The last teeth to come in man are molars called ‘wisdom-teeth’, which come at the age of twenty years, in the case of both sexes. Cases have been known in women upwards of eighty years old where at the very close of life the wisdom-teeth have come up, causing great pain in their coming; and cases have been known of the like phenomenon in men too. This happens, when it does happen, in the case of people where the wisdom-teeth have not come up in early years."
— Aristotle, The History of Animals.
Third molars helped our human ancestors to grind plant tissue during a time when leafy greens were a more important part of our diet. It is thought that the skulls of our ancestors had larger jaws with more room to accommodate more teeth which helped them to chew foliage more efficiently. This was important because humans lack the ability to efficiently digest cellulose, an important part of plant cell walls. Since the advent of agriculture, almost 10,000 years ago, our diets have become softer and include a larger amount of sugar and high energy foods. These diets have resulted in smaller jaws and not enough room for the wisdom teeth. So when they begin to erupt, they are often painful or crooked and do not fit properly in the mouth. Their removal becomes mandatory for a healthy mouth.
The process for wisdom teeth removal involves a surgical procedure performed by a dentist or oral surgeon. It typically includes making an incision in the gum tissue, removing any bone that blocks access to the tooth, cutting the tooth into smaller pieces and then removing the pieces and suturing the incision. This procedure ensures the complete removal of the impacted or problematic wisdom tooth.
No, although 4 is the most common number (one in each corner of the mouth); some people have 1, 2 or 3 wisdom teeth and some people don’t have any at all! In rare cases people develop additional teeth in the area of the wisdom teeth call ‘para-molars’ and may have 5 or more!
Wisdom teeth removal usually requires some form of anesthesia or sedation to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. Your dentist will discuss the options with you, which may include local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth or general anesthesia to render you unconscious during the surgery. We provide an IV sedation for each patient we see. This guarantees you maximum comfort, no memory of the procedure and a faster recovery.
The recovery period after wisdom teeth removal varies from person to person, but it generally takes about a week to fully recover. During this time, you may experience some swelling and discomfort. Following the post-operative instructions provided by your dentist or oral surgeon, such as taking prescribed pain medications and applying ice packs, can aid in a smoother recovery process.
Like any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications associated with wisdom teeth removal. These include infection, dry socket, nerve damage, sinus problems, and temporary or permanent jaw stiffness. However, these complications are relatively rare, and your dental professional will take necessary precautions to minimize the risks.
Initially, you’ll need to stick to a soft or liquid diet for the first few days after the surgery to facilitate healing. As you progress in your recovery, you can gradually reintroduce solid foods into your diet. It’s important to avoid straws and hard, crunchy, or spicy foods that could irritate the extraction sites. Your dentist or oral surgeon will provide specific dietary guidelines to follow.
Prior to wisdom teeth removal, your dental professional will provide you with detailed instructions tailored to your specific situation. These instructions include: fasting 5-6 hours before the surgery, avoid smoking or using a straw post-surgery, take regularly prescribed medications, apply ice packs, maintain proper oral hygiene, and call us if you encounter any problems on our 24/7 after care nurse line. Adhering to these instructions is crucial for a successful recovery.
The procedure itself is usually painless due to anesthesia or sedation. However, it is common to experience some discomfort and swelling after the surgery. Your dentist may prescribe pain medications to manage any post-operative pain. Additionally, using home remedies such as applying ice packs and rinsing with warm saltwater can help alleviate discomfort during the recovery period.
In certain cases where the wisdom teeth are fully erupted, positioned correctly, and not causing any problems, they may not need to be removed. Regular monitoring and good oral hygiene practices are essential to ensure they do not cause complications in the future. However, if extraction is recommended, it is typically the most effective solution to prevent potential issues associated with impacted or problematic wisdom teeth.
Your dentist will classify a tooth by the degree to which it has been able to grow out of your jaw bone. If a tooth remains trapped in the bone, usually by a lack of space or close proximity to other teeth, the tooth is considered to be ‘impacted’. If your wisdom teeth are impacted and need to be removed, you will experience some degree of swelling around the lower wisdom teeth. Sometimes patient’s refer to this as the “chipmunk effect” because after surgery you look like you are packing nuts in your cheeks like a chipmunk!
This is always a hard question to answer, simply because we can’t see into the future. However, if an X-ray indicates that there is inadequate room for the wisdom teeth to develop then a few criteria may indicate the ideal time to remove the wisdom teeth. Your doctor will help you decide when the time is right - They are best removed before the roots have fully developed. Ideally, when root development is between 25% and 50%. Undeveloped roots increase the chances that your surgery will be successful and you will not suffer any long term negative effects.- If possible, allowing the tooth to erupt as much as possible before it gets ‘stuck’ is also favorable. The closer the tooth gets to erupting, the simpler the surgery to remove it will be.- Age is a consideration and patients in their late teens are ideal candidates for removal. However, in some instances patients as young as 10 years old or as old as 90 may require wisdom tooth removal.- Oftentimes patients will remove the wisdom teeth to prepare for braces at the request of their Orthodontist.- …And, if your wisdom teeth are hurting…this is a great time to remove them!
If you wait until your adult years to remove your wisdom teeth several things become more complicated about your surgery.- First, at some point in your late-late teens or early twenties, your lower wisdom teeth will grow root tips and finish developing. Once this happens, the risk of the root tips interfering with the nerve in your mandible raises the risk of temporary or permanent numbness in your lower lip and chin.- The older you become, generally the more dense your bone becomes. Increased bone density will increase the difficulty of removing the wisdom teeth and could cause additional swelling and healing time.- Younger patients heal faster and with less complications overall than older patients. Younger patients generally experience less dry socket, pain and swelling than older patients.
A dry socket (local alveolar osteitis) occurs when the blood clot is lost from the hole left in the jaw after a wisdom tooth is extracted. It generally results in a dull, uncomfortable ache. It is easily treated in the office where you had your wisdom teeth removed.
We see very few dry sockets in our practice! We are excited to provide you with a state of the art procedure called Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) to reduce your chances of dry socket from 1 in 10 to 1 in 100! We offer this procedure at no charge to you! After placing your IV, we will draw a small amount of blood. That blood will be put into a centrifuge and spun very fast until it separates into distinct layers. One of the layers, the Platelet Rich layer contains numerous white blood cells, neutrophils and other key components of healing. This portion of your blood will be put back into the socket to stimulate bone growth and healing, reduce pain and inflammation and dramatically reduce your chance of dry socket. Dr. Hendrickson believes PRF is so beneficial that he provides this service to all of his patients at no cost. Thanks to PRF treatment we see a very small number of dry socket.
We have 2 locations. Our Provo & Murray offices are located...
Provo Location:
2230 N University Pkwy #8A
Provo, Utah
84604
(801) 370-0050
Murray Location:
5888 S 900 E #101
Murray, UT
84121
(801) 370-0050
We are open Monday - Friday 8:00 am -5:00 pm MST.
Surgeries are scheduled on Thursdays (Provo) and Fridays (Murray).
Provo Location:
2230 N University Pkwy #8A
Provo, Utah
84604
(801) 370-0050
Murray Location:
5888 S 900 E #101
Murray, UT
84121
(801) 370-0050