Wisdom teeth, technically known as third molars, are the last set of molars located at the back of the mouth. If you do not have enough room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth to erupt, it can cause a variety of issues. The removal of wisdom teeth is an outpatient procedure most commonly performed by an oral surgeon.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth can cause various issues due to limited space in the jaw, their late eruption, and ultimately impaction (when the teeth do not fully emerge from the bone and/or gums). Some common problems associated with wisdom teeth include crowding, misalignment, decreased bone support of the adjacent teeth, difficulties with hygiene, and the potential for infection or decay.
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Due to these potential complications, removal may be recommended. The removal may be done for preventive reasons or to address specific issues such as pain, infection, or damage to neighboring teeth. Studies have shown that early evaluation and appropriate treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient.
During your consultation, Dr. Sonstegard will evaluate whether your wisdom teeth are at risk for any present or future problems. Wisdom tooth extraction is a common dental procedure, performed during an outpatient visit.
What to Expect
The first step is having a consultation, which will include conducting an oral assessment, taking images, discussing your medical history, and answering any questions or concerns you may have. A treatment plan will be made specific to your needs, including determining which type of anesthesia is right for you.
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Before the procedure you will be given pre-operative and post-operative instructions to review so that you know how to prepare and what to expect. If you misplace these, don't worry, you can always call us to discuss them or you can easily access them from our website as well.
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Generally, the procedure takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour. However, the length of your procedure will depend on your customized treatment plan, the number of wisdom teeth extracted, and the degree of impaction of each tooth. After the procedure, you will spend time recovering in our care until the anesthesia wears off. Depending on the type of anesthesia you've received, you may feel groggy, lightheaded, sleepy, or confused when you wake up. You will need to have someone to accompany you to the appointment and drive you home if you have received sedation for your procedure.
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While every patient is unique, we recommend taking about three days off from school/work/normal activities to prioritize healing and recovery. Swelling and discomfort from the procedure typically peaks between days one and three, so expecting a whole week to recover before resuming your normal routine is common.
There are three main choices for anesthesia:
Local Anesthesia
Nitrous Oxide
IV Sedation
Local Anesthesia provides numbness directly to where it is administered, so feelings of pain are eliminated. It does not affect consciousness, so the patient remains awake.
Otherwise known as "laughing gas," nitrous oxide is a mild gas that is inhaled with oxygen to alleviate feelings of anxiety. It does not cause loss of consciousness and is paired with local anesthesia for your comfort.
This type of anesthesia is administered directly into the patient's vein. Amnesia (forgetfulness) is a common side effect of the medication and most patients who receive IV sedation do not remember their procedure.