How to Prepare for Wisdom Teeth Removal
Before the removal of your wisdom teeth, your oral surgeon will recommend sedation options based on your specific needs, preferences, and the difficulty of your extraction surgery. Some standard sedation options used for wisdom teeth removal include:
- Local anesthesia
- Nitrous oxide
- IV sedation
- Oral sedation
- General anesthesia
Based on the sedation option necessary for your procedure, your dentist will give you a set of pre-surgery instructions that you should follow to prevent any complications during your surgery. For example, general anesthesia might require you to fast for a specific amount of time prior to your wisdom teeth removal surgery.
Your dentist will also take imaging, perform an oral exam, and discuss your health history and any medication you are taking at your initial appointment, as some medications can negatively interfere with certain types of sedation. Using all of this information, your dentist will design a treatment plan that addresses your specific preferences and dental needs. In some cases, you might need all four wisdom teeth removed; in others, you might only need one extracted. Your dentist can be a valuable resource to answer any questions you may have prior to your wisdom teeth removal appointment.
What Happens During Wisdom Teeth Extraction
While no two wisdom teeth removal surgeries are identical, they will likely follow similar steps. Your oral surgeon will begin by numbing your mouth with local anesthesia and giving you sedation to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. Once your mouth is numb, they will make a small cut in your gums to expose your wisdom tooth. Depending on the level of impaction, your oral surgeon might need to break the wisdom tooth into pieces to be removed. Before closing the incision with sutures, your oral surgeon will clean the socket to ensure no infection remains. A piece of gauze will be placed over the wound to slow bleeding.
This procedure usually takes under an hour to complete but can take longer for more difficult and complex cases. At Birch Family Dental, our doctors understand that wisdom teeth extraction can be a scary experience, and we are here to ensure your surgery is as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Tips for Recovering After Wisdom Teeth Removal in Green River, WY
You will likely have some mild pain, swelling, and bleeding after your wisdom teeth removal surgery. In general, a diet of soft foods is recommended in the first week after your procedure. It is vital you follow your oral surgeon’s post-operative instructions to set yourself up for success in your healing and prevent complications from happening. Here are some additional recommendations you can take to help relieve discomfort and promote healing:
- Rest as much as possible
- Use an ice pack to reduce swelling
- Keep your extraction sites clean
- Continue bruising and flossing the rest of your teeth daily
- Avoid exercise until your doctor clears you
- Avoid hard and chewy foods
- Avoid sugary or carbonated drinks
- Avoid drinking through a straw
Recovery after wisdom teeth removal typically takes one to two weeks, but most people can resume normal daily activity within the first three to five days. While many people report an increase in swelling and pain around days three and four, these symptoms should begin to subside over the next week. If you see any signs of infection like puss at the extraction site, your pain or bleeding worsens after day four, or you experience a dry socket where your blood clot becomes dislodged and exposes the jawbone underneath, you should contact your dentist immediately for treatment.
For most people in their late teens or early twenties, the time will come when they need their wisdom teeth removed. If that time is now for you or for someone in your family, Dr. Birch and the team at Birch Family Dental are here to help. Call 307-875-3658 today to schedule an appointment with our dentist for wisdom teeth removal in Green River, Wyoming.
The third molars, which are commonly called the wisdom teeth, are typically the last teeth to come in. Because they are the last to erupt, there is often not enough room for the wisdom teeth to grow in as they should. When there is not sufficient space for the wisdom teeth, they may become impacted (unable to fully break through the gum tissues and jawbone) or grow in at an incorrect angle. Wisdom teeth that do not erupt as they should can lead to several dental problems, such as:
- Disturbance of the natural tooth alignment or orthodontic treatment
- Damage to the neighboring teeth
- Tooth decay
- Infection and inflammation in the gums and other tissues
- The formation of cysts
- Damage to the jawbone
Our dentist may recommend wisdom teeth removal to avoid these serious complications and to keep your smile healthy. We will carefully evaluate your smile, including the positioning of your teeth and wisdom teeth, to determine whether your smile would benefit from wisdom teeth removal. Our team will ensure that your wisdom teeth removal treatment in Green River, WY is as painless and comfortable as possible. To learn more about wisdom teeth removal, please contact us today. We are committed to keeping your smile in the best possible health.
