Wisdom Tooth Removal Can Protect Your Oral Health and Alleviate Pain

Wisdom teeth can cause several problems when they erupt. If you or your teen does not have enough room for the third molars to erupt, you may experience significant gum or jaw pain. Often, wisdom teeth can also affect your healthy dental alignment and the effects can require more restorative treatments to correct. In more serious cases, impacted teeth can cause localized or widespread infection. At Ray Dental in Little Rock, AR, Dr. Steven Ray offers gentle, precise wisdom tooth removal. Along with simple extractions, he performs surgical removal of impacted or angled teeth. In either case, he can provide sedation during the procedure to ensure your total comfort.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that typically emerge in your late teens or early twenties. These teeth do not cause problems for everyone, but the vast majority of patients do not have adequate room for them to erupt. Furthermore, even when there is room, they can often come in at angle, which can be immensely uncomfortable. Severely angled teeth can also be dysfunctional as well as upset healthy jaw alignment.

When Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Come Out?

Dr. Ray will never recommend an unnecessary extraction. Nevertheless, there are a number of situations that necessitate wisdom tooth removal. First, you should have an extraction if your incoming wisdom teeth are impacted, crowding your other teeth, or if they are erupting in at an angle. Impacted wisdom teeth remain trapped beneath gum or bone tissue. Because they will not be able to break through all the way, they can cause significant inflammation and radiating pain. Bacteria can also be trapped in the pocket of tissue, leading to further sensitivity and infection. Without timely removal, infection can also spread to your jawbone, putting your oral health at risk. 

What to Expect during Wisdom Tooth Removal

Your treatment will depend on the position of your tooth and the reason for extraction. In some cases, Dr. Ray may only need to perform a simple extraction. This type of removal is usually appropriate if your tooth is coming in normally, but spacing is the primary concern. In such instances, he will carefully loosen the tooth by rocking it back and forth. Then he can lift it from the socket with little impact to the surrounding tissues. However, if you have an impacted or significantly angled tooth, you will likely require a surgical extraction. During this procedure, Dr. Ray will excise the gum or bone tissue that is covering your tooth. Then he can remove it from the socket. Sometimes, he may need to take it out in several pieces, but he will do so gently and in a way that will result in as little tissue damage as possible.

Wisdom teeth do not cause problems for everyone, but the vast majority of patients do not have adequate room for them to erupt. 

We also offer sedation to make your treatment easy and comfortable. These medications will cause deep relaxation, and you will feel little to no discomfort. There are several sedation options from which to choose, and the most appropriate method will depend on your own preferences and the type of extraction you require. 

After wisdom tooth removal, you will have some gum sensitivity and minor bleeding. You will need to bite down on a piece of gauze for about 30 minutes as you remain in the office and we monitor your recovery. You will mostly likely need to take a day or two off of work or school as you rest and heal. Most inflammation and bleeding will subside quickly. In the meantime, medications, ice packs, and a soft diet can ease your recovery.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Ray

Do not wait until your wisdom teeth compromise your oral health. If these molars are causing discomfort or if you have never had them evaluated, contact our office online today. You can also call (501) 312-1127 to schedule your consultation or to speak with a member of our staff.