Wisdom teeth, or third molar, typically erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. While some may not face any issues, others experience complications requiring an oral surgeon's care. The oral surgeon will remove all wisdom teeth to prevent complications from worsening and affecting your overall oral health. The wisdom teeth removal process is straightforward. Let us explore what to expect during the preoperative, operation, and postoperative steps.
The oral surgeon typically requires three appointments for wisdom tooth removal. While the patient's primary dentist will have likely recommended them for the removal, the oral surgeon still requires a consultation. During the consultation, the oral surgeon will evaluate the precise position of the wisdom teeth using X-rays or 3D scans. They will also review the patient's overall medical history, dental history, and current medications-- all necessary as the procedure is classified as invasive.
The next appointment will be operation day. Considering this is an invasive procedure, the oral surgeon will employ local or general anesthesia to minimize pain and discomfort. They will likely give the patient a choice between the two sedatives. The patient will need to decide if they want to be awake during the procedure or not. If they choose to be asleep, they must ensure they have a ride home following the procedure.
Once numb, the oral surgeon creates an incision in the gum tissue overlying each wisdom tooth. In cases of impaction, they may need to create an access window in the bone to facilitate a complete extraction. After removing the target teeth, the oral surgeon will clean the surgical site. They will close the incisions with dissolvable or non-dissolvable sutures to promote healing and prevent excess bleeding.
To finish, they will "pack" the surgical sites with gauze or medicated dressings. This last step is necessary to help suppress bleeding and promote quick clot formation. The oral surgeon will re-iterate proper postoperative care if the patient is awake. If not, they will re-iterate the instructions to their designated driver.
Patients will experience some swelling, discomfort, and mild bruising during recovery. However, the symptoms usually subside within a few days to a week. Therefore, patients may want to take time off from work or school during this period. The oral surgeon will prescribe pain medication and possibly an antibiotic if they believe there is a risk of infection.
Patients will be prohibited from smoking, using tobacco products, and consuming alcohol, which can increase bleeding, slow healing, and cause infection. They must also follow a soft food or liquid diet to avoid disturbing the surgical site.
Also, maintaining proper oral hygiene during recovery is essential for healing. While patients still need to brush their teeth, they must avoid using hard bristles, spitting, and even using straws, as this can all lead to the dislodging of the blood clot.
A routine follow-up appointment will be scheduled within two weeks of the procedure. This allows the oral surgeon to monitor the patient's healing process and assess the surgical site. If necessary, they will also remove the non-dissolvable sutures and address any patient concerns.
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Wisdom teeth removal is a common dental surgery that most people will need in their lifetime. If yours have recently erupted, contact our oral surgeon today before they have a chance to completely disrupt your current dental state.
Request an appointment or call Morris Oral Surgery & Implant Center at 973-400-5254 for an appointment in our Morris Plains office.
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