Wisdom teeth removal is easy and painless when you rely on the skilled, friendly surgeons at Innovative Implant and Oral Surgery. You’ll be able to return home the same day, and with proper care, you can expect to recover within a week. Many of our younger patients schedule their wisdom teeth extraction to coincide with winter or summer break – an optimal time for a relaxing, stress-free recovery. Regardless of your age, having your wisdom teeth pulled is a straightforward procedure.

What are “wisdom teeth”?

Your third molars, or wisdom teeth, are the last permanent teeth to erupt through the gums. Long ago, these powerful molars were needed for chewing large amounts of plant matter and raw meat. Today, wisdom teeth are the dental equivalent of an appendix – they are unnecessary and have the potential to wreak havoc inside the mouth. Some people do not develop third molars, which normally erupt by the age of 25. Because our jaws are much smaller than those of our ancestors, these very back molars have limited space in which to grow. More often than not, erupting wisdom teeth will push against healthy teeth or grow in at an awkward angle, causing pain and a host of complications. If not removed promptly, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infection and long-term damage to adjacent teeth.

Early wisdom teeth removal = faster recovery

Fortunately, wisdom teeth removal is a routine, low-pain procedure thanks to advances in oral surgery. Generally speaking, the younger you are, the faster and easier the post-wisdom teeth recovery. We recommend that every 16-year-old should have an evaluation by an Oral Maxillofacial surgeon to determine if removing the wisdom teeth is the best course of action. If you’re experiencing discomfort in the mouth and jaw and X-rays indicate impaction, it is time to schedule an appointment for wisdom teeth extraction.

Wisdom teeth can cause serious pain when they break through the gums, even when they do so properly. Your dentist may recommend having your wisdom teeth removed before they become problematic to reduce the likelihood of painful complications down the line. As wisdom teeth mature over time, the roots grow deeper into the jaw bone. In our vast experience performing wisdom teeth removal, patients recover faster and with less risk of complications when treated in their teens or early twenties.

When is it time for wisdom teeth extraction?

If there is insufficient room in your mouth for wisdom teeth to erupt normally, they can cause a cascade of problems. Impacted teeth that become infected can lead to swelling around the jaw, swollen and bleeding gums, headaches, throbbing pain, bad breath and an unpleasant taste.

When your third molars are impacted, or X-rays reveal they will likely cause trouble down the line, surgical removal is your best solution. It is safest to remove your molar teeth when the roots are only minimally developed, which is why we suggest that all 16-year-olds come in for an evaluation.

Avoid wisdom teeth infection

By removing wisdom teeth at the first sign of trouble, patients can avoid:

  • Wisdom teeth pain
  • Damage to adjacent teeth
  • Damage to the surrounding bone
  • Development of fluid-filled cysts
  • Crowding issues and improper bite alignment
  • Inflamed gums
  • Infection
  • Jaw stiffness
  • Gum disease
  • Sinus pain and congestion

Wisdom teeth removal anesthesia

Patient comfort is a top priority for our oral surgeons, who are licensed and trained in the administration of general anesthesia, which is often recommended for wisdom teeth removal. Under general anesthesia, the patient is rendered unconscious in a medically-induced sleep and feels zero pain.
The type of anesthesia used will hinge upon the complexity of your wisdom teeth extraction as well as your anxiety levels. During the entire procedure, which lasts 45-60 minutes, our surgical team closely monitors heart rate, blood pressure and temperature.

Wisdom teeth removal procedure

All wisdom teeth extractions are performed in our state-of-the-art surgical suites. No two surgeries are exactly the same, but the following is a general outline of the procedure once the patient is anesthetized.

  • Small incisions are made in the gums
  • Flaps are created to expose the wisdom teeth
  • Any bone that covers the teeth is removed
  • Affected teeth are divided into pieces for easier removal
  • The extraction site is thoroughly cleaned
  • Dissolvable sutures may be inserted as needed
  • Gauze padding is placed over the wounds to promote healing

Questions to ask your oral surgeon

Here at Innovative Implant and Oral Surgery, we want our patients to feel 100 percent comfortable about every aspect of their wisdom teeth removal. We encourage questions about what to expect, surgery risks and post-op recovery instructions. During your surgical consultation, we suggest you ask any of the following questions that pertain to you:

• How many wisdom teeth are being extracted?
• Should I stop taking any supplements or nonprescription drugs before my surgery?
• What are my anesthesia and sedation options; which do you recommend?
• Will I feel any pain during the surgical procedure?
• How long does the procedure last?
• What are possible risks and complications?
• Will you put in sutures?
• What side effects can I expect?
• What are the consequences of leaving my wisdom teeth in?
• How complicated is my procedure?
• What medications will I need to take?
• How long is wisdom teeth removal recovery?

Wisdom teeth removal in Feasterville, PA

If you are having problems with your wisdom teeth, or have questions about whether wisdom teeth removal is right for you, contact Innovative Implant and Oral Surgery in Bucks County for a private consultation.

Additional Resources on Wisdom Teeth Removal:

  1. Colgate, Wisdom Tooth Extraction https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/wisdom-teeth/wisdom-tooth-extraction
  2. Self, What to Expect Before, During, and After Wisdom Teeth Removal https://www.self.com/story/wisdom-teeth-removal-facts
  3. MayoClinic, Wisdom Tooth Extraction https://www.self.com/story/wisdom-teeth-removal-facts