What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are normally what we call the third molars, which grow out when you are around 16 or 17. I guess in the old days, that's when you became wiser and had more wisdom. But the medical term is the third molars. Occasionally, some patients may have multiple third molars, meaning they have their normal four, and they may have their fourth and fifth molars in certain areas.
Why do wisdom teeth become impacted?
Normally, wisdom teeth become impacted because there's not enough jawbone or enough space for the wisdom teeth to come out, or there is too much gum tissue covering the tooth. The third reason for impacted wisdom teeth is that they grow in the wrong direction, like sideways. So they're growing in the opposite way that they can come out.
What are the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth?
Impacted wisdom teeth can show up as tenderness in the jaw, gum pain, swelling, and sometimes bad breath. There could also be some head and neck pains related to them. Those are a few symptoms, and untreated wisdom teeth can be a reservoir, or like a place that harbors all the bacteria. If you cannot reach that area, that can become a source of infection to other teeth.
It can affect your gum tissue and cause gum disease and bone loss around that area. Or it can trap a lot of food and then cause bacteria to introduce cavities to your teeth.
How is wisdom teeth impaction diagnosed?
The diagnosis of wisdom teeth impaction is by looking at dental X-rays. Impacted wisdom teeth can look like they are below the other wisdom teeth, and they can be lower than the teeth in front of them. They could be trapped in the bone or the gum. Wisdom teeth that are way higher or way lower than the teeth next to them are called impacted wisdom teeth.
When do impacted wisdom teeth need treatment?
If they are very, very deeply impacted and do not cause any symptoms, we can just leave them with no treatment. If they kind of slightly poke through the gum or cause some symptoms, that's when we will recommend taking them out.
Are there alternatives to removing wisdom teeth?
The other treatment, when the wisdom teeth are not impacted much or are just barely infected, is that sometimes the gum tissue will have a little piece laying over it. At that time, we normally just try to shave the piece of gum away so it doesn't affect your general oral health and you do not have to take the wisdom teeth out.
What is the removal process for wisdom teeth?
The removal process for wisdom teeth is that we normally numb you up. We make you comfortable, like putting a calming blanket on you or using something with a calming effect to make you feel comfortable. We numb the local area, and then you will not feel anything except a little bit of pressure and pushing, and then the tooth will be out.
Sometimes you may hear some weird noises, but there should be no pain during the procedure. Most of the time, depending on the case, sometimes we may need to put in a little suture for the gum to heal better, and sometimes we don't. Then we will give you some postop instructions and some medication appropriate for your treatment, and we normally will see you in a week to make sure you're healing properly.
Does dental insurance cover wisdom teeth removal?
Dental insurance sometimes covers wisdom teeth removals, and sometimes it doesn't. That depends on your insurance, but it does usually give you an upfront discount in most cases, and the price can range, but normally it's a few hundred.
What can you expect during and after removal?
During removal of the impacted teeth, you may feel some pressure and some movement, and after removal of the wisdom teeth, you may feel some mild discomfort, a little bit of swelling, and a little bit of blood oozing from the extraction site. But since we are using laser disinfection, your healing is going to be very mild.
At Dominion Smiles, you come first. Whether you need dental care or simply have questions, call us at (210) 866-8730 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.