Why Do My Wisdom Teeth Need To Be Removed?

There are several reasons why wisdom teeth might need to be removed. Extracting wisdom teeth that are causing problems can improve spacing issues, alleviate pain and discomfort, and contribute to better oral health. At Heritage Dental Associates in Fayetteville, GA, wisdom teeth extractions are performed by Dr. Jeffery Kendrick, who can determine if yours need to be removed.

Reasons for Removing Wisdom Teeth

Some patients experience problems when their wisdom teeth begin erupting. One issue that can occur is overcrowding. If the jaw is too small to accommodate additional teeth, the other teeth can become crowded when the wisdom teeth erupt. In some cases, crowding can lead to impacted wisdom teeth. Our skilled dentist can determine if it is necessary to remove your wisdom teeth at our Fayetteville, GA, dental practice.

Reasons for removing wisdom teeth include:

• Overcrowding
• Impacted wisdom teeth
• Wisdom teeth that came in at an angle
• Misalignment of the bite upon eruption of the wisdom teeth
• Severe decay or infection in a wisdom tooth
• A broken or loose wisdom tooth

Extraction Procedure

Wisdom tooth extraction is a minor surgical procedure performed in the office by the dentist. Depending on the number of wisdom teeth being removed, either local or general anesthesia will be administered to numb the extraction site, minimize discomfort and help patients relax.

To begin, small incisions are made in the gum tissue surrounding the tooth being extracted. Special tools are used to loosen the tooth and lift it up out of the gums. Wisdom teeth that are cannot be easily lifted out of the gums due to being deeply impacted might first need to be broken into smaller pieces. The separate pieces of the tooth can then be readily removed. Afterward, the gums are stitched closed.

It takes a few days for the gums to completely heal from the procedure. It is important to get plenty of rest during this time to aid in the healing process. Only soft foods should be eaten during recovery. Additionally, patients should be careful to brush their teeth as gently as possible while the gums are still healing.

Many patients experience some minor bleeding at the extraction site for a day or two. Gently biting on gauze pads will help control the bleeding. If swelling occurs, it can be reduced by applying an ice pack to the outside of the cheek. If needed, medication can be prescribed for pain and discomfort. The extraction site should be fully healed after a few days.

Your wisdom teeth might need to be removed for various reasons, such as being impacted or causing overcrowding. For the extraction of wisdom teeth in Fayetteville, GA, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kendrick by calling Heritage Dental Associates at (770) 460-9795.