They are also known as the third set of molars and can erupt at any age from 17 to 25 years old, but they are the last set of teeth to appear in a mouth. The removal of these teeth has been a source of much debate for decades. As long as the teeth aren’t causing any discomfort, they can usually stay in place. Remove them if they’re in an awkward position or cause you a lot of pain or discomfort.
Some of the wisdom teeth may be impacted when they first come through the gums. Most of the time, it’s necessary to remove an impacted tooth. The majority of the time, however, they must be surgically removed by a trained surgeon. If you’re considering having your wisdom teeth removed, you’ll first need to meet with an oral surgeon for a consultation.
You’ll have some x-rays taken during the consultation to show the surgeon how bad your wisdom teeth are. He will go over the results with you, take a look at your mouth, and then explain your options. Your dentist can either give you a local anesthetic or IV sedation, depending on whether he’s going to remove or cut out your teeth. Because you’ll be so sedated during your wisdom teeth extraction that you won’t even notice what’s happening, IV sedation is the preferred method. Your awareness of the procedure will be intact if only local anesthesia is used. Also, you’ll hear the popping and cracking noises, which can be quite uncomfortable.
Depending on the wisdom teeth’s shape, size, and formation, the removal process can be simple or difficult. It can be extremely painful and time-consuming to remove root tips that have wrapped around a bone. Swelling is rare after the extractions are completed. As soon as you get home, your dentist will give you a prescription for pain medication. IV sedation necessitates the presence of a driver, so you’ll need someone to drive you home.
Your dentist will go over aftercare instructions with you to make sure your gums and mouth heal properly after the removal of your wisdom teeth. In most cases, he will provide you with information to review in order to ensure that the healing process goes smoothly for you. The first 24 hours are critical for making sure you’re okay. For the first 48 hours, you will not be able to eat certain foods. You’ll notice a big difference in your mouth and health after having your wisdom teeth removed.
