If you’re like the majority of people, having your third molars (wisdom teeth) removed is inevitable. Maybe, your wisdom teeth are causing mouth discomfort, difficulty eating, and even pain when you sleep. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, typically don’t appear until your late teenage years or at the beginning of your 20s. We have always associated wisdom teeth with being wise; however, that doesn’t mean they are meant to remain in your mouth for the rest of your life.
Why Say Goodbye to Your Wisdom Teeth?
Your jaw may be small, and once your permanent (adult teeth) have erupted, excluding your wisdom teeth, they may have occupied all the space in your mouth, leaving no room behind for your wisdom teeth to erupt. This means your wisdom teeth have nowhere to go… When your wisdom teeth erupt, they will become impacted (trapped in your mouth), which can place pressure on your adjacent molars, making them shift and leading to pain and misaligned teeth. The truth is, usually, wisdom teeth do more harm than good, which is why wisdom teeth removal in Edmonton is common.
When is it Time to Say Goodbye to Your Wisdom Teeth?
Our dentist near you will recommend removing your wisdom teeth as a safe and effective way to avoid oral health issues that usually entail tooth decay, gum disease, cysts, and damaged teeth. Be sure to speak with our dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Jaw pain
- Swelling in the molar region
- A foul taste in your mouth
- Bad breath
- Gums that are swollen, red, tender or bloody
I Don’t Have Any Symptoms… Do I Still Need to See My Dentist?
Yes! Despite whether or not you experience the symptoms mentioned above, you must visit our dentist for regular dental check-ups and dental cleanings. Our dentist in Edmonton will review your medical history, examine your mouth, and take X-rays to determine if wisdom teeth removal is necessary and if keeping your wisdom teeth will lead to discomfort and concern down the road. Based on their findings, wisdom teeth removal near you may or may not be recommended. Note our dentist will only recommend tooth extraction if necessary, so in other words, if our dentist recommends that you extract your teeth, then you will want to follow through with the procedure.
Do Wisdom Teeth Always Have to Be Removed?
We did touch on this above, but for further clarification, when your wisdom teeth are closely monitored, and special cleaning techniques are used to keep your wisdom teeth in check, this procedure may not be needed. With that said, the only way to learn what actions should be taken is by giving our dentist a call for a thorough examination.
How is Wisdom Teeth Removal Performed?
Before performing this procedure, our dentist will assess your situation and conduct X-rays. Next, a local anesthetic is administered to numb your mouth and prevent discomfort, and sedation may also be provided to you at this time. If your tooth has not yet broken through your gums, our dentist may make a tiny incision to gain access to the tooth. Our dentist may also cut the tooth into smaller pieces for easier removal. To widen the socket and remove the tooth, you’ll begin to feel some pressure as our dentist rocks it back and forth. It would help if you did not experience any pain during wisdom teeth removal near you, as the area will be numbed. Typically, simple wisdom tooth procedures will take a few minutes to complete, but if the situation is more complex, it can take longer than 20 minutes.