Your Wisdom Teeth Oral Surgery Questions Answered

Oral surgery is sometimes the only option for people who need to have their wisdom teeth removed. Though extraction can sometimes be possible at the general dentist office, if they need to be removed surgically due to being impacted, for example, it is typically necessary to visit an oral surgeon.

So why do people need to have wisdom teeth removed anyway?

This is a good question and one that we are often asked. Given that adult tooth loss can sometimes be an issue, many people want to know if they can actually remove wisdom teeth. The answer is that it depends. Not everyone needs to remove their wisdom teeth. If there is sufficient space in the mouth to accommodate them it is best to simply leave them in place.

Of course, that requires them to have grown in properly, as well. Unfortunately, this rarely happens. Typically, wisdom teeth grow in impacted or there is not enough room to accommodate them. At that point, it becomes necessary to remove them to prevent oral health challenges or problems with the person's appearance.

What happens if there is not enough room for wisdom teeth?

If there is not enough room for them, wisdom teeth will begin to put pressure on the adjacent teeth as they grow in. This is especially problematic for anyone who has invested time and money straightening their teeth using orthodontics because it can push the teeth forward and reverse some of the work that was done.

What is the risk of keeping impacted teeth?

Oral surgery is particularly important for anyone with impacted teeth because they pose a great health risk. This risk is caused by the space that is created in between the teeth and gums. Very often, food will become trapped there. As it does, it is highly likely that either the wisdom tooth or the adjacent back molar is going to suffer from tooth decay or an infection. Also, the gums in that area could become infected as well. The best way to prevent this is to surgically extract the wisdom teeth.

What happens during oral surgery?

When we surgically remove wisdom teeth we sufficiently numb the area and may even put a patient to sleep. It depends on what is being done. Next, we will cut a flap in the gum tissue. After lifting the flap, the tooth underneath will be exposed. At that point, we can either grab the tooth and extract it or we may need to break it into smaller pieces and extract them one at a time. The area is then cleaned, the gum flap replaced and then sutured so it remains secure. Afterward, we will pack the area with gauze, and patients will need to practice at-home care while the gums heal.

Patients should expect swelling and discomfort for a few days afterward, they will begin to feel normal.

Learn more about the procedure

Anyone who is interested in having a wisdom tooth removed should visit our office for a consultation. We can conduct an examination and then answer questions about what to expect from the surgery.