Wisdom Teeth

The third molars, more commonly known as wisdom teeth, begin to come in at around the ages of 17 to 21.

 

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These teeth can typically cause a problem if there isn’t enough room in the mouth for them, or if they come in at the wrong angle or position.

It’s possible for wisdom teeth to become impacted, which means they are trapped in the jaw or under the gums. An impacted wisdom tooth can result in a cyst that could potentially damage the roots of other teeth or the surrounding bone.

Everyone’s situation is different, so Dr. Cave will monitor your wisdom teeth in order to identify any potential problems. In some cases, he will recommend the removal of a single wisdom tooth or all four wisdom teeth.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction

If a wisdom tooth is causing pain, doesn’t have room to grow in properly, or is causing another issue, it can be extracted. Anesthesia will be used to ensure that you are comfortable during the procedure. This can range from local anesthesia to heavy sedation, depending on the complexity of the extraction.

Recovery

  • Your recovery from the procedure will typically take from five days to a week as your gums heal.
  • You should not rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours after the extraction.
  • Stick to a soft diet for the first day and gradually move to foods that are easy to chew.
  • After the first day, you can gently rinse the socket with warm salt water after meals and before bed.
  • If you have stitches that are not self-dissolving, you will be informed if you need to return to our office to have them removed.
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