If you have impacted wisdom teeth, it is important to get them removed early. This prevents future problems such as cysts, tumors or infections around the impacted third molars.
We will administer your chosen form of anesthesia to ensure comfort and minimize pain during the procedure. After the tooth has been removed, we will suture the incision and place gauze pads to control bleeding.
Causes
There are several reasons a person might need to have their wisdom teeth removed. They can partially come through the gums, causing pain or irritate the tissue covering them (periodontal disease). They can get stuck in the jaw bone or develop a cyst. Other problems include damage to adjacent teeth or other structures; decay in a impacted wisdom tooth; infection of the tissue overlying the impaction (pericoronitis); or the development of a fluid-filled sac around the impacted wisdom tooth (cyst).
To remove the tooth, your oral surgeon will give you local anesthesia. They may also use general anesthesia or sedation for more complex procedures. They will cut into the gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone. They may then break the tooth into sections if it is easier to remove that way. They will clean the site of the extracted tooth and close the wound with stitches, which typically dissolve in a few days. They may place a gauze pad over the wisdom tooth extraction Raleigh NC site to control bleeding and help a blood clot form.
Symptoms
During wisdom tooth removal, we use anesthesia to keep you comfortable. Your dentist or oral surgeon may give you local anesthesia with a shot near the area where they will remove your tooth, or we may use IV sedation to put you in a semi-conscious state for the entire procedure.
After your surgery, you will need to rest for a day or two. You may have some pain and swelling, but these symptoms should improve quickly.
Be sure to replace the gauze that covers the wisdom tooth extraction Raleigh NC site with fresh, clean dressings. Avoid eating hard, chewy or spicy foods that can irritate the surgical wound. Gently brush your teeth, but be careful not to touch the surgical sites. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
Treatment
There are many possible complications from impacted wisdom teeth, including pain, swelling, pus, bad taste and long-lasting numbness. These problems are usually treated by removing the impacted tooth or teeth.
Your dentist or oral surgeon will usually numb the area around the tooth with a local anaesthetic injection. If you are very anxious, your dental professional may give you sedation or general anaesthesia (you go to sleep).
Your dentist will cut the gum covering your impacted tooth. They will then remove the impacted tooth in pieces or break it into smaller pieces. The empty tooth socket will be sutured. To reduce the risk of infection, you should rinse your mouth with an antibacterial solution (Peridex(tm)) 2 times a day for 1 week after surgery. You should also avoid smoking or drinking through a straw. If you have stitches, they will be removed at a follow-up appointment. Your dentist will provide you with a care kit to help you heal.
Recovery
Your oral surgeon will provide you with a set of postoperative instructions, which you should read carefully to promote a speedy recovery. You will also receive a prescription for pain relievers, if needed.
You will most likely receive local anesthesia, laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia), or IV sedation before your procedure. In some cases, you may need general anesthesia for wisdom tooth extraction Raleigh NC.
After your surgery, you will need to bite down on a piece of gauze to control bleeding and help a blood clot form. Bleeding usually stops within an hour, but if it doesn't, call your oral surgeon for instructions.
Eat a diet of soft foods and avoid chewing on the surgical site, if possible. Avoid using a straw and don't spit, as this could dislodge the clot and cause dry socket. Rinse with warm salt water or a mouthwash to keep the area clean. Brush your teeth gently, avoiding the surgical sites.
