Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth are the molars in the very back of your mouth. While wisdom teeth don't always need to be removed, they cause oral issues in many people. We provide state-of-the-art oral surgery and wisdom teeth removal to get you smiling again quickly.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Services in Katy, TX
Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars. They usually come in between the ages of 15 and 25 and cause many patients pain or discomfort. If your wisdom teeth have erupted, we can visually examine them. Otherwise, we can use x-rays to determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed.
Depending on a number of factors, including the size of teeth, the shape of your mouth, and the position of your wisdom teeth, we determine whether or not your wisdom teeth should be removed. Getting your wisdom teeth removed early can reduce the risk of crowded teeth, TMJ problems, infection, tooth decay, and damage to adjacent teeth. Additionally, it is difficult to keep your wisdom teeth sufficiently clean. This can lead to cavities, gum disease, and infections. Rather than treating the teeth with a filling or gum infection therapy, it’s considered the standard of care to have the removed.
-
Do I need my wisdom teeth removed?
There are several common signs that indicate the need to have your wisdom teeth removed, though each patient is unique. Some of these signs include:
- Impaction, which is when the tooth is stuck under the gums or completely hidden. If wisdom teeth aren’t able to emerge normally, they may be trapped within your jaw which can cause an infection or a cyst that. This may damage other teeth or roots.
- Changed bite alignment can be caused by wisdom teeth if they come in at odd angles or horizontally.
- Crowding or damage to existing teeth can be the result wisdom teeth not having room to grow in properly.
- Partial emergence, which is when wisdom teeth only partially emerge through the gums. This can be a magnet for bacteria that can cause gum disease and oral infection.
Dentists often suggest removing wisdom teeth at an early age, because the roots and bone aren’t fully formed, making recovery recovery is faster.
-
What if my wisdom teeth are causing pain?
Wisdom teeth usually come in sometime between age 17 and 25. They can become inflamed or bleed as they grow up through your jawbone and begin to break through your gum line. This can cause headaches and tooth pain. Ways relieve wisdom tooth pain include:
- A saltwater rinse
- Using peppermint essential oils or clover oil to soothe pain
- Taking an over the counter pain reliever, such as aspirin
- An ice pack or heating pad to your cheeks applied to your cheeks.
-
What are impacted wisdom teeth?
An impacted wisdom tooth is when a wisdom tooth doesn’t have enough room to come in normally. There are several different types of impacted wisdom teeth:
- Soft tissue impaction is when the crown of the tooth has penetrated through the bone, but is still partially covered by the gum.
- Partially bony impaction is when the tooth has partially erupted, but part of it remains submerged in the jawbone.
- Complete bony impaction is when the tooth is completely encased by jawbone.
-
What's safe to eat after a wisdom teeth removal?
After surgery, it’s important to eat soft and cool foods which reduce the risk of further harm. Recommended foods include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Soups
- Ice cream
- Smoothies
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
As you recover, consider your pain level when deciding when to reintroduce more solid foods into your diet.
More Questions?
If you have more questions about wisdom teeth removal and the procedures used by Lifetime Dental & Implant Center, please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss further.