Wisdom Teeth Removal
Temecula, CA
Wisdom Teeth Removal provided by Dr. Vinh Le
and Dr. Quang Le
in Temecula, CA at Picasso Dental Care
 Wisdom teeth removal refers to the surgical extraction of wisdom teeth. Some dental patients experience problems during and after the growth of wisdom teeth, such as crowding, pain, swollen gums, infection, and tooth decay.
If your wisdom teeth are beginning to emerge or you are unsure about their status, visit us at Picasso Dental Care in Temecula, CA for a professional consultation.
Our dentists will examine the positioning of these teeth and how they are likely to impact the health and alignment of the other teeth, making a treatment recommendation if necessary.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Also referred to as third molars, wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge from the jaw. They emerge at the back of the mouth in each quadrant. In most cases, these teeth begin to grow in between the age of 17 to 25. Some people can have their wisdom teeth in the mouth without any issues, but others may need to have them removed them due to the complications they cause.
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
When the third molars do not have enough space in the jaw to emerge properly, they may remain buried in the gums. In such cases, these teeth can get trapped below the gum line or grow at an angle. As such, it may become difficult to chew and maintain proper oral hygiene, leading to a plethora of dental problems. One of the simplest solutions to this problem is a surgical extraction.
When Do Wisdom Teeth Come In?
Mostly, wisdom teeth will begin to emerge during late adolescence or early adulthood. The exact timing of emergence depends on the individual. Those who have sufficient space in their jaw are likely to develop wisdom teeth without any issues. However, people with a smaller jaw are likely to develop impacted wisdom teeth.
Do You Have to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Having wisdom teeth removed is not mandatory. In cases where one can develop healthy, straight wisdom teeth and can maintain proper oral hygiene, extraction of wisdom teeth is not necessary.
However, a dentist may advise removal as a preventive measure in situations where the patient is vulnerable to different dental problems in the future. An example is when someone is unable to clean their teeth properly, thus bringing the likelihood of dental decay, gum disease, and other issues that create a burden on dental care.
What Happens If You Don't Remove Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
There are many different dental problems that one can experience if they choose not to remove impacted wisdom teeth. First, the individual risks the development of gum infection around the teeth. This infection is known as pericoronitis. This is when food particles get trapped between the gum and the impacted tooth, causing infection.
Impacted teeth can facilitate tooth decay, cysts, damage to adjacent teeth, and misalignment of teeth. For these reasons, it is ideal to remove all impacted wisdom teeth if they are likely to bring issues. Dr. Vinh Le and Dr. Quang Le should be able to establish whether your third molars can cause issues in the future, depending on the positioning of the teeth in the mouth.
Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Contribute to Ear Pain?
Due to their proximity to the ears, wisdom teeth can bring about ear pain. In these cases, the discomfort and pain that originates from the wisdom tooth can radiate to the ears, causing earaches and jaw pain. It can be an excruciatingly uncomfortable situation, therefore, seeking dental help beforehand is advisable.
Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches?
In some situations, impacted wisdom teeth have been linked to headaches. When an infection occurs, the pressure and inflammation at the site of the wisdom tooth can affect surrounding nerves and tissues, which leads to a headache.
In a majority of cases, the discomfort will be felt around the temples and jaw and may persist for long periods. Recurrent headaches and jaw pain could potentially imply that you need to consult a dentist for possible wisdom teeth removal.
How Long Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Take?
Many different factors can impact the duration of the wisdom teeth extraction process. These factors include the number of teeth to be extracted, their respective positions, and the level of complexity of the surgery.
In cases where the extraction is fairly straightforward, the extraction is unlikely to take more than 45 minutes. However, some impacted teeth will need additional time to extract safely. We can provide a more accurate timeline after a thorough examination of the state of the tooth (or teeth).
Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Hurt?
During the extraction, dentists often use a local anesthetic or sedate the patient. This is to ensure the procedure is as painless as possible, enabling the patient to remain comfortable throughout the process.
Some patients may experience a pulling sensation during the extraction, but the procedure itself should be fairly comfortable. Again, patients may have some pain during the healing process, but it can be alleviated with prescription medication from a dentist.
How Long Does It Take to Heal After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
The duration of healing after the extraction of a wisdom tooth varies from one individual to another. On average it takes about two weeks for the initial healing process of the extraction site. It is normal to have some soreness and swelling or discomfort during this stage as there is likely to be mild bruising and trauma in the area after the surgery.
Make sure you adhere to all post-op instructions, which include maintaining oral hygiene, sticking to a soft diet, and averting rigorous exercises to promote faster healing. After that, the remainder of the healing process is fairly painless, and you can return to normal routine and begin to eat a normal diet.
Schedule With Your Temecula Dentist Today!
If you are having pain in your face or jaw or suspect that wisdom teeth may bring issues in the future, it is advisable to seek professional help at Picasso Dental Care. We can conduct an in-depth evaluation to establish the risk of having dental problems due to impacted wisdom teeth, and our dentists will recommend a suitable course of action.
When it comes to wisdom teeth, early intervention, and regular checkups and monitoring are the best and most cost-effective ways of managing the situation. Call (951) 383-2021 to schedule an appointment. |
