Your Columbia, MO dentist can help you with wisdom tooth removal

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars to emerge in the arches. While some people have no pain or issues with their wisdom teeth emerging, many will run into various problems that can negatively impact oral health and cause discomfort. At the office of Chase Patton D.D.S. in Columbia, MO, we offer straight-forward wisdom teeth removal to ensure that your smile is healthy.

Why are wisdom teeth extractions necessary?

For many individuals, the mouth is simply not large enough to accommodate the normal growth of wisdom teeth. Because of this, they may experience partially erupted or impacted wisdom teeth. Here are some of the most common concerns:

  • Wisdom teeth growing toward the second molar
  • Wisdom teeth growing toward the back of the mouth
  • Wisdom teeth growing at a right angle within the jawbone
  • Wisdom teeth that become trapped in the jawbone

Symptoms of wisdom teeth that need to be extracted

If you notice any of the following symptoms, you may benefit from having your wisdom teeth extracted:

  • Severe toothaches
  • Food particles become trapped behind the wisdom teeth
  • Gum disease due to excess plaque in the back of the mouth
  • Cavities on nearby teeth due to crowding
  • Cysts or inflammation surrounding the wisdom teeth
  • Problems with misalignment due to the movement of wisdom teeth

Because wisdom teeth can cause so many problems, we often recommend preventative removal of them to avoid potentially serious dental issues or the need for emergency wisdom tooth extractions. If your wisdom teeth are impacted (have not erupted above the gums), we will refer you to an oral surgeon in the area who specializes in removing them. However, not all wisdom teeth that cause oral health problems or discomfort are impacted. Even if your teeth have been able to emerge above the gumline, they may be causing problems that we can address through a simple extraction procedure in our office.

Getting your wisdom teeth out

The process for wisdom teeth extraction is typically straightforward. First, the area will be thoroughly numbed with local anesthetic. If the teeth are impacted, the gum tissue will need to be opened in order to access the wisdom teeth and we will refer you to an oral surgeon to perform this procedure. If they are fully or partially erupted, we typically perform the procedure in our office and the teeth may simply be broken into pieces and removed like any other tooth extraction.

Following the procedure, it’s best to eat a diet of soft foods and liquids such as broth, yogurt, and mashed potatoes. It’s important to take any prescribed medications and avoid using a straw as it can cause the clots to dislodge from the sockets.

To learn more about wisdom teeth extractions, call the office of Chase Patton D.D.S. in Columbia, MO at (573) 875-7040 to book an appointment.

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