Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Cinco Ranch, TX

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that usually arrive years after your other permanent teeth have already grown in. It’s believed that our ancestors may have developed them to subsist on a tough diet of roots, berries, raw meat, nuts, and seeds.

However, today, they’re no longer necessary for our survival, so they are considered a vestigial feature. Most people have four of these additional molars: one for each quadrant of their mouths. But some people are born with fewer, and some lucky individuals never grow them at all.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

You can usually count on our team to do everything we can to protect and preserve your natural teeth, leading many patients to wonder why wisdom tooth extraction is necessary. The truth is that these third molars tend to cause problems when they arrive which can put your dental health at risk.

We might recommend this treatment to address the following common concerns:

• General discomfort. These molars often cause aches in your mouth, jaw, or face.
• They are likely to push neighboring teeth out of alignment in their attempt to make a space in your gumline.
• Dental problems. They often only partially clear your connective tissues, making it harder to brush and floss them, increasing the risk of cavities or gum disease.
• If they become trapped in your jaw, they can form a cyst or infection that may require oral surgery to address.

What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure

Although it may vary based on your unique circumstances, you can usually expect our team to start your procedure by applying a local anesthetic to numb the area. If you have severe anxiety or are undergoing a surgical extraction, we can also provide sedation to help you feel calm and comfortable throughout your visit.

Then, for a simple procedure, we’ll use a device called an ‘elevator’ to help lift your tooth from the socket so we can grasp it with forceps and gently wiggle it free. For more complex cases, we might need to create a small opening in your gums to access your tooth, which may sometimes require breaking it into smaller pieces to avoid damaging your jawbone during removal.

Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Our team will provide detailed instructions for you to follow after your procedure which are intended to help you heal as quickly as possible while avoiding potential complications. For example, if the blood clot that forms over the extraction site is damaged or dislodged, you could develop a painful side effect known as dry socket.

Common directions often include:

• Getting plenty of rest. Avoid strenuous activities that elevate your heart rate or blood pressure, which can damage your blood clot.
• Address discomfort. It’s usually safe to apply a cold compress to the sore side of your face or take over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Keep your mouth clean. We may ask that you rinse your mouth with salt water the day after your procedure to naturally disinfect it, then you can resume brushing and flossing more normally once your gums have healed.
• Stick to softer foods. Steer clear of hard, crunchy, sugary, acidic, hot, or spicy foods that can irritate your already-tender teeth and gums.
• Take prescribed medications. If you were given antibiotics or prescription pain medications, please take them as ordered.

If you have ongoing aches or suspect you have developed dry socket, please contact our office so we can ensure that you’re healing as intended.