As we grow older, our smile changes. Upon reaching adulthood, up to four additional teeth could erupt. Known as third molars, or wisdom teeth, these teeth could impact your smile’s health and appearance in a number of negative ways. In order to restore a smile’s health, we may perform a safe and comfortable dental extraction.
The Health Risks of Third Molars
At one time, humans needed these additional molars. However, over a period of thousands of years and major changes to the way our specie lives and thrives, they have become unnecessary. Which means upon arrival, they could cause serious trouble for our oral health. For example, they may become impacted, partially erupting and causing severe discomfort. Others may experience misalignment, damaged teeth, or even a serious dental infection. In order to preserve your smile’s appearance and function, we may suggest removing them completely.
Ensuring Your Comfort
Before we begin, we will address any questions or concerns you may have. We also work with a trained anesthesiologist, who will administer IV sedation and monitor you throughout the procedure. The sedation helps you enter a calm and relaxed state, with little to no memory of the procedure afterward. We then open the area where the teeth will erupt and carefully remove them. Once we extract the teeth, we suture the area closed and a friend or family member will bring you home. Once home, we will have detailed aftercare instructions for eating and helping facilitate the healing process in the hours and days following the procedure. We will schedule visits so we can monitor your progress as well.
Other Reasons for Dental Extraction
An extraction may help your smile in a number of ways. Did you know that for some, correcting misalignment means making room for the teeth to be repositioned? We may need to remove a tooth to improve alignment. Others may develop serious damage or infection, the kind that require extraction to prevent the spread of infection. We’ve removed teeth that have become loose due to periodontitis as well. While as dentists our first goal is always to preserve your natural teeth, sometimes removing them is the best course of action. If we remove a tooth that leaves an exposed gap in your smile, remember that we have prosthetic options, such as bridges, partials, and dental implants, all of which offer lifelike tooth replacement. If you have may questions, then please contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Extraction?
Our team wants to help you enjoy optimal oral health, which includes safely and comfortably removing wisdom teeth. To schedule a consultation and talk about oral surgery, then call E-Care Dentistry in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, Gardner, and all surrounding communities.