Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom Teeth Removal and Care
Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to come into the mouth. Most people have four wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth—two on the top, two on the bottom. Most mouths only have enough room for 28 teeth, making the mouth overcrowded for any additional teeth. This can lead to wisdom teeth that become impacted, wedged between the back teeth and the jaw. When your wisdom teeth become impacted, this can present an oral health problem. When they have erupted partially, the opening around the teeth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection, resulting in swelling, stiffness, pain, and illness. In addition, wisdom teeth can be hard to clean, so they may be more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease than other teeth. With x-rays and inspections, we can determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed. At Dry Creek Oral Surgery, we strive to provide quick, painless removal of wisdom teeth. We can ensure you feel at ease during the procedure and help to maintain your oral health for years to come. If you or your child is approaching the age of 18, it’s crucial to bring them in for an examination for their wisdom teeth. Call us today to schedule your appointment for a wisdom teeth analysis in the Denver Tech Center or Parker, CO areas.
The Extraction Process
In most extractions, we believe it is easier on the patient to perform the surgery under anesthesia, so the patient is sedated throughout the operation. We keep a close watch on you while you’re under, making sure to extract your teeth safely while you stay sedated. After we remove the teeth and roots, we place gauze in the areas of the removed teeth to control bleeding. After the surgery, we allow you to rest under our supervision until you’re able to be taken home. Before you go, our team will provide you with a post-op kit, which includes care instructions as a reminder of how to care for your mouth as it heals.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions in Denver Tech Center, CO and Parker, CO
Wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, are the final teeth to erupt within your mouth, with most patients seeing their appearance in their late teens or early twenties. When these teeth erupt properly, there is no reason to remove them. However, often, they do not erupt properly and can cause many other dental issues. In these cases, the team at Dry Creek Oral Surgery can perform wisdom teeth extractions for patients in the Denver Tech Center and Parker, CO areas. Our team can begin evaluating your wisdom teeth before they even start to erupt, keeping an eye on their formation and progress using x-rays. If we believe the teeth are putting you at risk for oral complications, we’ll suggest removing them and can perform the surgery in our office. Please contact us today if you’d like to learn more about this process.
Why Do I Need to Remove My Wisdom Teeth?
Though some patients may not require the removal of their wisdom teeth, most often, it’s needed to protect your overall oral health. Wisdom teeth can begin to grow in sideways, only partially erupt, or even get stuck beneath the gum and bone. Known as impacted teeth, those that get stuck may resort to shifting position as the try to find a pathway for eruption. When wisdom teeth don’t erupt through the gumline properly, they can create severe problems for the patient, including:
- Risk of infection in tissues surrounding the tooth
- Disruption to the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth
- Formation of tumors or cysts around impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in jawbone or tooth destruction.
We’ll Start with an Oral Examination
In order to evaluate the state of your wisdom teeth, we’ll first do a thorough examination and take x-rays of your mouth, when needed. This will help us determine if your wisdom teeth pose a current or future threat to your oral health. Early detection of issues results in better outcomes for our patients, so we recommend the first evaluation be completed in a patient’s mid-teenage years.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Before the procedure, we’ll discuss the various forms of anesthesia we may use during your procedure as well as any risks involved. Our primary goal is to ensure your comfort. We also want our patients to be as informed as possible, so there are no surprises. The qualified surgeons at Dry Creek Oral Surgery will surgically remove your wisdom teeth. We’ll then allow you to rest under our supervision. Once we determine that you’re safe to go home, we’ll send you on your way with post-op instructions as well as any necessary prescriptions. You’ll need to return to your follow-up appointment so we can check on your healing progress.
Wisdom Teeth: Impacted
Wisdom Teeth: Patient Safety
Wisdom Teeth: Impacted or Crowding
Wisdom Teeth: Pain or No Pain
Having Third Molar Surgery
Call Us Today to Schedule Your Appointment
We take pride in making the entire process as streamlined as possible. The longer you wait to extract impacted wisdom teeth, the more discomfort they can cause, and the more difficult the procedure becomes. Contact our office today for a wisdom teeth consultation.