In our late teens and early 20s, our smile could undergo the arrival of up to four new teeth. These molars are known as wisdom teeth, and they can cause serious problems for your smile. To prevent these problems, we can extract them before they erupt. In today’s blog, your Olathe, KS, dentists discuss the process of extracting wisdom teeth.
The Initial Exam
Everything starts with an exam! We use advanced digital imaging systems, including digital x-rays that use a fraction of the radiation, to gather detailed images of your smile. We even look beneath the gums, to pinpoint the position of your wisdom teeth before they erupt. These images allow us to assess when the teeth need to be removed, and to identify their position to make the removal process much simpler. We want to extract the wisdom teeth because this helps prevent misalignment, infection, painful partial eruption known as impaction, and other serious complications.
The Surgery
We want to make sure you feel comfortable, so our team will provide a local anesthetic or possibly IV sedation. You enter a state of deep calm and relaxation, with little to no memory of the procedure. We then gently open the gums above the teeth to reach and remove the teeth. We take them out with forceps. In some cases, the entire procedure could be complete in as little as 30 minutes. We then suture the site home. Since the sedation takes time to wear off completely, you will need to have a friend or family member bring you home.
Recovery
At home, you will need to rest for a day to begin recovery. For the first day, avoid solid foods and instead eat soft items like soup or ice cream. Try not to use straws and avoid tobacco products. Don’t poke the site with your tongue either. We will see you in a follow-up visit to remove sutures and make sure everything is healing normally. With wisdom teeth, we don’t need to replace them. But if we extract a tooth due to injury or infection, we could discuss bridges, implants, and partial dentures to replace them.
If you have any questions about how we address wisdom teeth, or about the extraction and recovery process, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have Questions About Removing Your Third Molars?
Our team is ready to preserve your smile’s balance and alignment. Schedule an appointment today and learn more about protecting your smile with oral surgery. 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.