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1700 Louetta Rd, Spring, TX 77388
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Implant & Cosmetic Center
(832) 663-9024
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are a type of molar that is found in the very back of your mouth. There are four wisdom teeth: upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right. These teeth usually appear in late teens or early twenties but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry.
Why impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed?
When a tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed. If it is not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and even jaw bone diseases.
Wisdom tooth removal usually is effective in preventing:
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Crowding of the teeth due to its eruption force
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Red, swollen, and painful gums caused by a flap of skin around a wisdom tooth that has only partially come in
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Gum infection and tooth decay in the wisdom teeth, which may be harder to clean than other teeth
When should I have my wisdom teeth removed?
Each patient's situation is unique, and we will take x-rays and discuss your particular needs with you. If it is recommended to remove your wisdom teeth, it is best to have them removed sooner than later. As a general rule, wisdom teeth are removed in the late teens or early twenties because there is a greater chance that the teeth's roots have not fully formed and the bone surrounding the teeth is less dense. These two factors can make extraction easier and healing process faster.
What does wisdom tooth removal involve?
Because the impacted tooth is frequently under the gums and still encased in your jaw bone, it is necessary to remove a portion of the covering bone to extract the tooth. To minimize the amount of bone that must be removed, your wisdom tooth may be sectioned so that each section can be removed through a small opening in the bone. To make this process most comfortable, a very safe and more relaxing approach, IV sedation (which is superior to other local anesthesia methods) might be indicated if you are feeling nervous about the procedure. Once the teeth have been extracted, the healing process begins. Healing time varies depending on the degree of difficulty related to the extraction and the age of individual.
Wisdom teeth usually become impacted (fail to erupt) due to lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry.