Wisdom Teeth Removal
At Shodhan Dentistry Desert Hot Springs, we always want to save teeth. Tooth preservation is our primary focus. Unfortunately, there are times when pulling out your teeth is the best option. So if an extraction is the best course, rest assured our team is ready. With advancements in technology and pain management, we will surprise you with treatment.
What Are The Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last set of adult molars that grow in the back jaw. There’s 4 in total, two on the top and two on the bottom. It’s common to notice wisdom teeth growing out around the late teenage years.
When Do Wisdom Teeth Need To Be Pulled Out?
For most patients, wisdom teeth need removing due to excruciating pain. Many of us will lack the extra space in our mouths to accommodate these extra teeth. As a result, the wisdom teeth will cause impaction. So anything next to your wisdom teeth such as other molars, gums, and nerves will get damaged.
A secondary reason wisdom teeth warrant removal is prevention. Wisdom teeth can be hard to reach and thus hard to clean. This difficulty can lead to increase chances of tooth decay and gum disease. Thus prevention of future dental health complications is another strong reason for removal.
Is Removing Wisdom Teeth Painful?
Many patients become surprised at how pain-free an extraction is at our office. With advancements in pain management, coupled with our skilled dentists, expect a comfortable visit.
What’s The Procedure?
Getting the wisdom tooth extracted is a multi-step process. After the initial exam and imaging, your dentist will begin the treatment. It first begins with applying a local anesthetic to the treatment area. If the wisdom tooth is growing above the gum line, this is a simple extraction. Dental tools will be used to pull the tooth out. If the wisdom teeth are below the gum line, then an incision is made to expose the teeth before they’re removed. For more complicated cases, Dr. Shodhan can refer out to an Oral Surgeon.
How Long Will It Take To Recover?
Recovery times will vary since each patient can heal at different rates. In general, the first 48 hours will be worse. Patients feel soreness and stiffness, which is normal after surgery. After this, many patients notice gradual improvement of their discomfort. Within 1-2 weeks, one can expect a full recovery.
A secondary reason wisdom teeth warrant removal is prevention. Wisdom teeth can be hard to reach and thus hard to clean. This difficulty can lead to increase chances of tooth decay and gum disease. Thus prevention of future dental health complications is another strong reason for removal.
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Is Removing Wisdom Teeth Painful?
Many patients become surprised at how pain-free an extraction is at our office. With advancements in pain management, coupled with our skilled dentists, expect a comfortable visit.
What’s The Procedure?
Getting the wisdom tooth extracted is a multi-step process. After the initial exam and imaging, your dentist will begin the treatment. It first begins with applying a local anesthetic to the treatment area. If the wisdom tooth is growing above the gum line, this is a simple extraction. Dental tools will be used to pull the tooth out. If the wisdom teeth are below the gum line, then an incision is made to expose the teeth before they’re removed. For more complicated cases, Dr. Shodhan can refer out to an Oral Surgeon.
How Long Will It Take To Recover?
Recovery times will vary since each patient can heal at different rates. In general, the first 48 hours will be worse. Patients feel soreness and stiffness, which is normal after surgery. After this, many patients notice gradual improvement of their discomfort. Within 1-2 weeks, one can expect a full recovery.
Emergency Tooth Extractions
At Shodhan dentistry, we also specialize in emergency tooth extractions. We understand that accidents and emergencies happen without notice. These dental emergencies will need timely dental care.
The Importance Of Saving Your Teeth
For long term good oral health, it’s vital to save your teeth. Having your own teeth helps your jawbone. Our jawbone needs constant stimulation from our teeth. This stimulation helps keeps our bone density strength. Having missing teeth will lead to less bone stimulation and potential problems down the road.
When is it necessary to extract a tooth?
Common reasons a dentist will recommend extracting a tooth versus saving it include:
- Trauma – example will be an accident that resulted in a severe tooth fracture
- Tooth Decay – tooth damaged beyond repair with the potential of an infection spreading to other nearby teeth.
- Wisdom Tooth Impaction – instances were leaving the wisdom teeth will cause more harm to neighbor teeth.
- Orthodontic care – an example where your dentist will need to prep your teeth for future ortho care.
Is anything needed after the extraction?
After your tooth is pulled out, there will be a gaping space. Along with one less tooth to stimulate your jawbone. If your wisdom tooth was the one removed, then your pain symptoms will subside. For non-wisdom teeth extraction, your dentist can recommend replacement teeth. Common examples would be dental implants and bridges. Other options depending on the patient’s case, could be implant dentures.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact us today. We offer same-day appointments for your convenience. Let us help you get out of pain today.
Very friendly and attentive staff, and most importantly, they take you in at your scheduled time. The doctors are friendly and work well with children. The office is very clean and seems organized as well. I would definitely recommend them!
Yvette G
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of a tooth extraction ranges from $350 to $700, depending on the type of procedure and the complexity of the case. For example, a simple extraction of a fully erupted tooth will cost less than a surgical extraction of an impacted or broken tooth. If you require additional procedures, such as bone grafting immediately after extraction, the total price will be higher.
Many dental insurance plans cover tooth extraction, as in the majority of cases it is considered a medical necessity. Generally, you can expect your insurance company to cover 50% to 80% of the total cost, but the coverage may also depend on yearly maximums and deductibles.
Tooth extraction recovery typically takes 10 to 14 days. However, soreness and swelling typically go away within 5 to 10 days depending on the complexity of the case and your body’s regeneration capacity. To have a swift and smooth recovery after a tooth extraction, we recommend closely following your dentist’s post-procedure care recommendations, maintaining good oral hygiene, switching to soft foods, and avoiding sports, smoking, and alcohol.
A simple tooth extraction is performed with forceps, meaning that your tooth will be pulled out from its socket. It is possible when the tooth is intact and fully erupted (not hidden by the gum). If your tooth is fractured, broken, or impacted (fully or partially covered by the gum tissue), it can not be successfully pulled using just forceps and requires a surgical extraction. In such cases, your dentist will have to use a scalpel to make incisions in the gums to access the tooth first.
In the vast majority of cases, tooth extraction is a quick and safe procedure. Risks of tooth extraction include:
- Nerve injury (in rare cases, it can be caused by removing impacted lower teeth and is temporary in the majority of cases)
- Sinus perforation (slight risk when extracting upper molars)
- Damage to adjacent structures, such as neighboring teeth, jawbone, or existing dental work
The most common complications of tooth extraction include:
- Infection of the procedure site
- Dry socket (a painful condition that occurs when the blood clot that forms in the socket immediately after the extraction is disturbed or dislodged)
Both these types of tooth extraction complications are typically avoided by closely following your dentist’s post-procedure care recommendations, which generally include maintaining good oral hygiene, being gentle when cleaning at the procedure site, switching to soft foods, avoiding strenuous activities, and abstaining from smoking and alcohol.
In the majority of cases, local anesthesia is used for tooth extraction or wisdom teeth removal. It is administered via an injection into the gum and is typically sufficient to completely block pain during the extraction. However, in complicated cases or if multiple teeth are extracted at the same time, your dentist might suggest sedation instead of or in addition to local anesthesia. Additionally, you can opt for sedation if you experience severe dental anxiety or find it challenging to remain in one position for the duration of the procedure.
