Wisdom Tooth Extractions – DuPont, WA
Making Room for a Healthier, Happier Smile
Is your teen dealing with some discomfort in the back corners of their smile? Wisdom teeth are considered the third molars and most often erupt during the mid-late teenage years or early 20s. While not all wisdom teeth pose problems, many young adults often find that they need wisdom tooth extractions in DuPont, WA to create additional space in their mouth and eliminate the potential for future dental problems. If you are looking for the right team to perform this type of procedure, let the team at DuPont Family Dentistry be there for you and your teen. To learn more about how to find out if your child needs an extraction, contact our dental office today!
Why Choose DuPont Family Dentistry for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Straightforward, Stress-Free Extractions
- Gentle, Caring Dentists and Staff
- State-of-the-Art Dental Office
Who Needs Wisdom
Teeth Extracted?
Individuals between the ages of 16 and 22 are often the ones who are most susceptible to receiving wisdom tooth extractions. Why? Because this is when these third molars attempt to make their appearance. Whether they partially erupt or remain impacted, most dentists determine that it is in the best interest of the patient if they are removed. Other reasons we might recommend an extraction is if:
- Infection is present or could be a possibility
- A cyst or tumor is present
- The healthy teeth near the wisdom teeth are damaged
Types of Wisdom Teeth Issues Leading to Extraction
The three most common reasons for wisdom teeth to be extracted are that they are crowded, impacted, or causing sinus complications.
Crowded
If your teen’s wisdom teeth are shifting their healthy teeth in a way that causes overcrowding, it will be necessary to remove them to avoid future orthodontic treatment. Also, if there is already an issue of crowded teeth and their wisdom teeth cannot erupt successfully, this would also be cause for removal.
Impacted
When these third molars do not erupt past the gums and instead remain below the surface, this can create problems for the rest of the mouth as well as cause serious discomfort. Depending on their position and angle, impacted wisdom teeth can push against healthy teeth and cause an infection or a bite alignment issue.
Sinus Complications
For wisdom teeth located in the upper arch, these can become infected and as a result, create complications for your sinus cavity. Your maxillary sinuses sit right above your upper back teeth, making them an ideal target for wisdom teeth to cause problems (i.e., headaches, sinus pain, inflammation).
Post-Operative Care
Because this is a surgical procedure that can be completed one of two ways: simple or complex, your teen will need ample recovery time afterward to ensure a successful and healthy smile. It is during the first few days that a dry socket will be your greatest concern. This is when a blood clot forms but is dislodged due to too much pressure, or it dissolves before the area is fully healed. A dry socket can result in serious discomfort, so to prevent this from happening, try the following tips:
- Do not sip or suck through a straw
- Make sure you are getting plenty of rest
- Avoid chewing as much as possible, especially if you had all your wisdom teeth removed. If only one or two on the same side, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth
- Use a cold compress or ice pack to alleviate discomfort and swelling
- Continue brushing your teeth and flossing, but be careful not to get near the extraction sites
- Take any pain medication or antibiotics as prescribed
- Eat only soft foods in the initial days after surgery
Wisdom Tooth Extraction FAQs
It is natural to have many questions when it comes to wisdom tooth extractions in DuPont. The process might seem severe, and the recovery may sound lengthy, but the reality is that our team at DuPont Family Dentistry goes to extensive measures to ensure safety and comfort when performing these procedures. We also provide effective aftercare tips to make recovery simple, safe, and swift. Below is a list of questions from our patients as well as answers from our trusted team. If you have any additional concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Why are wisdom teeth called that?
Third molars are called “wisdom teeth” because they do not erupt until a person is more mature in age. Typically, the average person receives wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 25. While this may not seem like an age range that qualifies as “wise” according to today’s standards, the simple explanation is that throughout the ages, the saying “with age comes wisdom” remains true. Since all other teeth are in place before these emerge, it is understandable why they might be considered “wise” based on their appearance “later in life.”
Is wisdom tooth removal painful?
We will numb your mouth with local anesthesia before beginning the removal process. This will help you to feel no pain throughout the procedure. Sedation is also often used to make you feel more at ease. As a result, it is unlikely that you will feel any discomfort while having your wisdom teeth removed. However, once the anesthesia wears off, you will likely feel some discomfort in the days following. This is why detailed aftercare instructions are provided. Within a week, though, you should begin to feel normal.
What is the best age to get wisdom teeth removed?
Although they appear between the ages of 17 and 25, there is no official age that declares these teeth must be removed. However, most dentists recommend early adulthood for extraction because of the easier recovery and removal process. The older you are, the roots of your wisdom teeth will grow more embedded into the jaw. As a result, the procedure can become more complicated and require a longer recovery time to heal properly.
How long does wisdom tooth surgery take?
Because of the sedation provided by your dentist in DuPont, you will likely feel as if your surgery goes quickly. The average amount of time for each extraction, however, is between 15-20 minutes. Altogether, the process can take up to 90 minutes to complete, but it varies depending on the location of the tooth, its position, and if it is impacted. You will need to have someone escort you home, so the dentist will make sure the person is aware of how long it is expected to take for surgery.