Wisdom teeth often become impacted, crowding other teeth in the mouth and leading to infections. As a preventive measure, your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend removal. People should follow a few key steps to prepare for this standard procedure. Ensuring the patient has arranged for someone to drive them home after the sedation has worn off is essential.
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Preparation
Wisdom teeth are third molars that cause problems by not coming in correctly or pushing on other teeth. These molars can be removed to prevent pain and discomfort from impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth.
To remove a wisdom tooth, a dentist or oral surgeon will create a small cut in the gum to access the tooth. Then, they will remove the impacted or partially erupted tooth and stitch up the wound. They may also need to remove some bone tissue covering the tooth. It is advisable to ensure you are well-rested before undergoing surgery. Adequate sleep can help your body recover faster from the procedure. Additionally, it is essential to plan for child and pet care or arrange transportation if you will be under sedation or general anesthesia. Doing this lets you concentrate on preparing for the surgery instead of worrying about how you will get home afterward.
Sedation
In addition to a local anesthetic, most patients will need something to help them stay calm and comfortable during their wisdom teeth removal procedure. Sedation can be administered orally (by mouth), intravenously (IV), or inhaled through nitrous oxide (laughing gas). IV sedation is fast-acting and can be used for deep sedation. This is typically used for those who have a high level of anxiety or who are unable to receive oral sedation because of their health status. Nitrous oxide is delivered through a face mask over your nose and mouth and is inhaled. This sedative is very relaxing and is the most commonly used form of dental sedation for procedures including wisdom tooth removal. It can be quickly adjusted, and patients feel normal within minutes after the treatment is completed.
Recovery
Wisdom tooth removal sounds scary, but it is a widespread daily procedure. Most people opt to be sedated during their extraction and will need to have someone drive them home afterward since they will be groggy.
A sedation professional will administer a cocktail of intravenous sedative and analgesic medications to help you drift into a state of relaxation before your surgery. You will be able to discuss your preferences and questions during your consultation. Using a scalpel, the surgeon will open the gum tissue to expose the bone surrounding your backmost molars and then use a dental drill to uncover the crown of each tooth. The tooth is then separated from the jaw bone with dental pliers and wiggled out of its socket. Dissolvable stitches may be placed at some or all extraction sites. Bleeding is normal and will usually subside as the site heals. If excessive bleeding persists, bite on clean gauze for 30-40 minutes, as needed, and call the office. Opting for a professional family dentist for wisdom teeth removal is paramount to ensure a safe and well-managed procedure. A skilled family dentist brings expertise and familiarity with your dental history, fostering a comfortable and personalized experience prioritizing your immediate well-being and long-term oral health.
Post-Operative Care
Once you’ve been sedated, you’ll be brought to a recovery room, where your condition will be monitored until a specialist declares that you are safe and ready to go home. You’ll likely spend less than an hour here.
Before you leave, you’ll be given a prescription for pain medication and antibiotics. When undergoing treatment, it is important to understand the process and your recovery.
Feeling discomfort after tooth extraction is standard, but your pain and swelling should subside more each day following surgery. To achieve the best results, you must follow the instructions given by your doctor. Make sure to adhere to them carefully. Eat soft foods (pasta, soup, eggs, Jell-O, yogurt, applesauce, etc.) and apply ice to reduce swelling. Call your dentist or oral surgeon for advice if you have any unusual swelling. Sutures are sometimes used to aid wound healing after your wisdom teeth removal, but they’re usually removed during a post-operative visit. They look like yellowish-white knotted strings and appear in the area where the tooth was removed. When you’re ready to get your wisdom tooth extracted, you can visit this dentist who does tooth extraction and quality Invisalign in Alhambra.
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