Wisdom teeth, also known as your third molars, tend to erupt in our late teens or our early 20s. For many, they could cause major problems with the health, beauty, and function of your smile! Which is why your Olathe, KS, dentists may recommend a safe and gentle tooth extraction process.
The Reasons for Removing Your Third Molars
Our smile has evolved to comfortably accommodate 28 teeth, but the arrival of the wisdom teeth forces 32 teeth in the same space. The result is a partial eruption known as an impaction, as well as misalignment, major discomfort, infection, and even damaged teeth. This could significantly alter the function and beauty of your smile! Which is why removing them before they erupt could be so beneficial for the health and appearance of your smile.
The Tooth Extraction Process
To extract the teeth, our team will first take detailed digital x-rays and intraoral camera images, which allow us to plan the process with accuracy and precision, taking note of nerve tissues and sinus cavities before we move forward. We identify the exact positions of the teeth in preparation for extraction. Our team will administer a local numbing agent to ensure comfort, and we can also offer dental sedation to allow you to enter a calm and relaxed state. This is especially helpful for people with high levels of dental anxiety! We then open the gums above these teeth so we can access and remove them gently. Once we do, we will close the site and may suture the area closed. The entire process only takes about an hour in some cases.
What Happens Next?
You will have a friend or family member bring you home, and we will have prescriptions for any necessary medication. Once you’re home, you will need to rest for a day or two, avoiding solid foods and being very gentle when you brush and floss. Avoid straw use, or poking the site with your tongue. We will remove sutures in a follow-up visit and make sure everything is healing properly.
If you have any questions about the risks posed by wisdom teeth, or about how we extract a tooth, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you enjoy a complete, functional, and beautiful smile for a lifetime.
Do You Have Third Molars in Need of Removal?
We would like to help you avoid the complications of your wisdom teeth. Schedule an appointment today and learn more about preventing painful impactions. You can also call E-Care Dentistry in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. Find our office at 15010 S Black Bob Road Olathe, KS 66062. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, and all surrounding communities.