Everything You Need to Know About Wisdom Tooth Removal in Keller, TX

Lets face it: Weve all felt a sharp pain at the back of our jaw when our wisdom teeth start erupting. Wisdom tooth pain can be unbearable.

But did you know?

Around 85% of adults want to get rid of their wisdom teeth. This is primarily due to the excruciating pain that they suffer from their everyday activities. So, if you plan to get your wisdom teeth removed, youre not alone.

In this guide, we will walk you through every critical detail about wisdom tooth removal, with topics like:

• Wisdom Tooth Removal: What is It About?

• When is Wisdom Tooth Removal Necessary?

• Symptoms Indicating Wisdom Tooth Problems

• Procedure of Wisdom Tooth Removal in Keller, TX

Lets learn more about wisdom tooth removal in the following sections.

Wisdom Tooth Removal: What is It About?

It is a minor oral surgery that is designed to extract one or more of the third molars or wisdom teeth that are located at the back of your mouth.

The molars start emerging between the ages of 17 and 25. You can have four wisdom teeth, but its common for people to have fewer teeth or none.

When is Wisdom Tooth Removal Necessary?

Wisdom teeth come in naturally and align properly, so its not always necessary to remove them. However, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 90% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth.

Hence, our dental specialists will recommend extraction under the following circumstances:

Impact

In this case, your wisdom tooth fails to erupt through the gums fully. This can occur due to a lack of space, obstruction caused by a nearby tooth, or abnormal angling of the tooth.

There are several types of impaction that we will discuss in detail, such as:

• Soft tissue impaction: Here, your tooth will emerge partially, but it will still be covered by gum tissue.

• Partial bony impaction: In this case, the tooth partially emerges but remains lodged in the jawbone.

• Complete bony impaction: Your tooth is entirely trapped under the gum and bone.

Impacted teeth need to be removed at the earliest as they can lead to pain and swelling, pericoronitis, gum inflammation or damage to nearby teeth, and difficulty in opening the mouth.

Crowding

Since wisdom teeth are the last to erupt, often there isnt enough space, and the new tooth is pushing others and disturbing the alignment. This lack of space can lead to crowding of your teeth, especially if you have had other orthodontic work done.

It is very necessary to remove the crowded wisdom tooth as it pushes against your second molar, causing shifting or misalignment of adjacent teeth. Besides, the pressure from erupting teeth will cause you pain, leading to bite changes. Removing such a tooth will protect you from any further orthodontic complications.

Cavities or Gum Disease

Wisdom teeth are easily affected since they are located at the very back of your mouth, making it difficult for us to clean them effectively.

The affected wisdom tooth needs to be removed, as food and bacteria will easily get trapped around your partially erupted tooth. The cavity can spread and infect the neighboring molars. There is also an increased risk of periodontal diseases, which can spread as well and lead to tooth loss or jawbone damage. Lastly, wisdom teeth can develop root canals, which are even harder to treat.

Cysts or Tumors

An impacted wisdom tooth may develop a fluid-filled sac, known as a cyst, or a cellular growth, known as a tumor. These expand and damage the nearby bone and teeth. These growths can lead to bone loss, jaw weakening, or tooth displacement.

Its removal is necessary to prevent structural damage to your jaw and eliminate the risk of further complications.

Symptoms Indicating Wisdom Tooth Problems

We often dont realize that there is a problem with our wisdom teeth until the symptoms become noticeable. Since they appear late and are located at the end of your mouth, they can cause subtle to severe issues.

Here are a few things to look out for:

a. Persistent Jaw or Gum Pain

If you experience a dull ache or throbbing in the back of your mouth or jaw, it can be a sign of an impacted wisdom tooth. Although the pain is usually irregular and worsens when chewing or brushing, it indicates pressure on the nerves or inflammation of surrounding tissues.

If you ignore the symptoms and leave it untreated, there is a chance that the pain may worsen and spread to other teeth, the ear, and even cause headaches.

B. Inflammation Around the Jaw

Puffiness or swelling on one or both sides of the face near the back of the jaw. It can be due to an infection, an abscess, or inflammation from a partially erupted tooth.

If not addressed promptly, the infection or impaction will lead to serious complications.

C. Redness or Bleeding In The Back of The Mouth

Irritated gum tissue will start bleeding anytime you brush, floss, or eat. This often occurs when food and bacteria become trapped around your partially erupted wisdom tooth, resulting in a type of gum infection called pericoronitis.

D. Difficulty Opening Your Mouth

Tightness or stiffness in your jaw makes it difficult to speak, eat, or yawn. This is also known as trismus. This can indicate a deep-seated infection or inflammation around the jaw muscles and joints.

Procedure of Wisdom Tooth Removal in Keller, TX

Step 1: Pre-Surgery Consultation

In this process, your dentist will conduct an X-ray scan to assess your oral health condition and also evaluate the impaction and angle of your wisdom teeth. If it requires extraction, then they will discuss the options of anesthesia, such as local, sedation, or general.

Step 2: Removal Process

At first, youll be injected with anesthesia, and the area will be numbed. Your surgeon might have to make an incision on your gum and even remove your bone to reach your impacted wisdom tooth. The tooth is then removed either in whole or in pieces. The site is then stitched once the removal is over, and a gauze is placed to stop the bleeding.

Step 3: Aftercare Post-Surgery

The recovery process usually takes 7-10 days. You need to take good care of the area, as this will help prevent risks of infection or complications at the site.

Rest for the first 24-48 hours and apply ice packs to reduce swelling. Avoid any hard food and eat foods like smoothies, soups, scrambled eggs, and more. Keep your head elevated while sleeping to avoid bleeding, and rinse your mouth with warm saltwater after 24 hours.

Takeaway

• Wisdom tooth removal is a standard and generally safe process as long as you treat it in time.

• Do not avoid any symptoms that might indicate a problem surrounding the wisdom tooth.

• You must attend follow-up appointments for a post-operation check-up or stitch removal.

• Ready for a pain-free smile? Connect with our experts at Keller Family Dental today!