Wisdom Teeth Removal
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Wisdom Teeth Removal in Calgary
Safe and Reliable Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes, these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but they are often misaligned and or impacted and require removal.
Don’t wait until you’re in pain – speak to us about your options today. Delaying wisdom teeth removal can result in partial eruption and a longer healing period. We can discuss sedation options if you feel anxious or nervous about wisdom teeth extraction. We aim to recommend the best course of action depending on your situation and make the extraction process as smooth and comfortable as possible with few complications.
The Importance of Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom teeth are the furthest set in the back of the mouth and usually cause no problems if the person’s jaw can accommodate them. However, most people require a wisdom teeth extraction. Getting wisdom teeth removed early avoids the following:
- Pain issues
- Teeth alignment issues
- Potential infection
- Damage to the gums
While some patients need all four teeth extracted, others may only need one or two. At Brentwood Village Dental Clinic, we can determine which wisdom teeth need to be removed and identify which ones will be functional.
Our Wisdom Teeth Removal Services in Calgary
Why do wisdom teeth have to be removed?
If impacted wisdom teeth are left in place, they can cause excruciating pain; they can push against and damage or destroy the teeth in front of them. In rare cases, it can lead to infection or can cause a cyst that can damage other teeth roots or bone support. Teeth that are partially erupted can be at a higher risk of infection because the partially emerged teeth create a passageway for bacteria that cause gum disease and oral infection. These teeth are also at a higher risk of decay because they are inaccessible and hard to keep clean.
Crowd nearby teeth
If wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to come in properly, they may crowd or damage nearby teeth.
Sinus Issues
Problems with wisdom teeth can lead to sinus pain, pressure, and congestion.
Inflamed Gums
Tissue around the area can swell and may be hard to clean.
Cavities
Swollen gums can create pockets between teeth that help bacteria grow and cavities form.
Planning for Your Wisdom Teeth Removal
If you plan ahead, you are able to take your time finding a suitable dentist. Because most wisdom tooth removal is very complicated (especially when they are impacted or there is exceptional root anatomy), not all dentists can or will remove wisdom teeth.
Often, dentists are booked far in advance and or work limited hours. For instance, in our office, we have several dentists who are able to remove wisdom teeth. However, if your wisdom teeth became a problem on a weekend or evening, these dentists would not be here because they work limited hours. Therefore, you would be forced to wait until an appointment could be booked. The pain from wisdom teeth can be excruciating if you wait for them to start hurting and then cannot get in with an appropriate dentist to remove them.
My wisdom teeth aren’t hurting yet; why should I remove them now?
Can’t I just wait until they hurt?
While done by dentists, wisdom teeth removal is not like routine dental work. If your dentist has told you that your wisdom teeth should come out for one of the reasons listed above. Then chances are very good that they will eventually become a problem in the future. Therefore, we strongly urge you to plan ahead for this inevitability. This means being proactive even if they are not currently bothering you.
Sedation for Wisdom Teeth Removal
If you plan ahead, you can take advantage of sedation.
The process of removing wisdom teeth can be unpleasant. Even though it can be done in a dental office, the process of removing these teeth is considered surgery.
The Dentist must make incisions and remove both soft tissue and bone, sometimes, the teeth even have to be sectioned into smaller pieces. During this process, there are many different noises and sensations, as well as pushing and manual manipulation of the tooth. The patient will need to have their mouth wide open for long periods of time, which can be very uncomfortable for some. Therefore, most dentists recommend that patients be sedated during wisdom tooth surgery.
Preparing for sedation involves a pre-operative consultation to assess the patient’s health and vital signs. If there are health concerns, a medical clearance letter from the patient’s physician may be needed, which can take weeks. On the sedation day, patients shouldn’t eat or drink 8 hours before, must have a caregiver, and should arrange for time off from work or school. They can’t drive or care for young children for 24 hours post-appointment.
Wisdom Teeth Removal – Recovery
After a wisdom tooth extraction, follow your surgeon’s specific postoperative guidelines to recover quickly and effectively. Generally, after getting your wisdom tooth removed, you’ll want to do the following:
- Keep a gauze in place until bleeding slows
- Rest for 3-5 days
- Use ice packs to reduce swelling
- Clean the surgical areas with alcohol-free mouthwash without swishing
- Brush the rest of your teeth
- Take prescribed medications.
Avoid drinking with a straw, exercising, lifting heavy objects, consuming hard or crunchy foods, and drinking carbonated or alcoholic beverages for at least five days to prevent complications.
If you’re feeling wisdom tooth pain, try rinsing with warm salt water, using a warm compress, or taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen. But if the pain doesn’t go away, it’s best to see your dentist. We may need to remove your wisdom teeth to help you feel better.
After the anesthesia wears off, you may feel some soreness, but we’ll provide you with a pain management plan to keep you comfortable as you heal. If you’re concerned about pain, don’t hesitate to ask us about the sedation options we offer to help make the process as smooth as possible.
Pain is usually mild and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). We also recommend using a cold compress on and off for 20 minutes to help with swelling, which is a common source of discomfort after surgery.
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