What are Wisdom Tooth Extractions?

11 Oct 2018 Dental Services

Knowing what wisdom tooth extractions are and how they work can help you better prepare for the dental procedure. At JVR Dental in Walnut Grove, Langley, they understand the problems that wisdom teeth can cause and how painful they can be. That is why they offer a wide range of dental services, including wisdom tooth extractions.

What is a Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

A wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure that works to remove the four permanent adult teeth, also known as wisdom teeth, that are located at the back (top and bottom) corners of the mouth. This type of dental procedure can be performed by a dentist or an oral surgeon and may be recommended even if the wisdom teeth are not causing any problems.

When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Extracted?

While wisdom teeth can be removed as a preventative measure to stop problems from arising in the future, wisdom teeth are most commonly removed when there is an actual issue. Some of the most common problems that result in wisdom teeth being extracted include:

• The jaw is not large enough for the wisdom teeth, so they become impacted and unable to break through the gums.
• The wisdom teeth are only able to break partway through the gums, causing a flap of gum tissue to grow over the teeth. This flap can become infected due to food and germs getting trapped underneath, causing them to become red, swollen, and painful.
• The impacted wisdom teeth are causing more serious problems, such as infection, damage to other teeth or bone, or a cyst.
• The wisdom teeth have grown in at an awkward angle, with the top of the tooth facing forward, backward, or to either side.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction Surgery

Before removing your wisdom teeth, your dentist or oral surgeon will either give you a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth is being removed or a general anesthetic that prevents pain in the whole body and causes you to sleep during the procedure. If several or all wisdom teeth are being removed at one time, chances are that your dentist will recommend the use of general anesthetic. In order to remove the wisdom teeth, your dentist will open up the gum tissue over the tooth and remove any bone in the way in order to separate the tissue connecting the tooth to the bone. In some cases, a dentist may decide to cut the tooth into smaller pieces to make removal easier. Once the tooth has been removed, the dentist will stitch up the opening and place folded cotton gauze pads over the wound to stop the bleeding.

If you have any questions about what wisdom tooth extractions are, or if you are interested in dental services in Langley (general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, and pediatric dentistry), please contact JVR Dental at 604-371-3188 or by filling out a contact form on their website.