Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Granby, CT
We Remove Frustrating Wisdom Teeth
Usually, between the ages of 16 and 25, the last set of adult teeth erupt. These third molars are colloquially called wisdom teeth, and people used to need these teeth to compensate for previous tooth loss. However, thanks to oral hygiene, many people nowadays retain their natural teeth for longer. Without enough room for these teeth, when the wisdom teeth come in, they can actually force other teeth out of alignment, or they can develop at an unhealthy angle, causing infections. When these situations happen, Dr. Endres and Dr. Chawla can perform wisdom tooth extractions in Granby, CT to preserve the patient’s healthy smile.
Why Choose Salmon Brook Dental for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation Available for Anxiety Patients
- Caring, Dedicated Team of Dental Professionals
- Dental Insurance Accepted
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Commonly referred to as third molars by the dental community, most patients know them as wisdom teeth. Located toward the back of the mouth, they may fully erupt, partially erupt, or remain impacted beneath the gumline.
Although once vital to early civilizations and their diets, they no longer serve a purpose but instead, often cause patients much pain. As jaws narrowed over time and food sources improved, these teeth are no longer necessary for maintaining a nutrient-rich diet.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
There are many reasons wisdom teeth might need to be removed, but the most common are:
- Impaction, which means they exist beneath the gumline and can damage nearby healthy tooth structures
- Potential for decay because they are hard to clean (i.e., partially erupted wisdom teeth)
- Misalignment caused by the pressure and pushing of impacted teeth on healthy structures
- Cyst formations
What to Expect From the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
When preparing for a wisdom tooth extraction, our team will determine if you need only one removed or all four. Depending on the state of these teeth, we will either recommend a simple or surgical procedure.
If the teeth have fully or partially erupted, we will use specialized dental instruments such as an elevator and dental pliers to gently rock the teeth back and forth until they fully detach from the sockets. If you have impacted wisdom teeth, however, we will need to perform a more invasive procedure that involves making incisions in the gum tissues to expose the underlying tooth structures. We will then extract the teeth in sections to avoid removing as much of the bone as possible.
Recovering From Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Our dentists and our team at Salmon Brook Dental work diligently to make sure that you or your child is completely comfortable throughout the wisdom teeth extraction procedure, but aftercare can also play a significant role in the recovery process. To ensure that you heal properly, you should do the following:
- Keep clean gauze on the surgical site for several hours after the procedure until all bleeding has stopped.
- Allow a blood clot to form on the site to protect it from bacteria.
- Get plenty of rest and abstain from strenuous activity for a few days.
- Eat soft foods for a few days, but do not use a straw.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water to keep the site clean