- What Are Wisdom Teeth and Why Do They Need to Be Removed?
- How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
- What Does It Mean When Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted?
- Types of Impactions
- What Can I Expect After Wisdom Tooth Removal?
- What Are the Benefits of Wisdom Tooth Removal?
- Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
- What if I Don’t Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed As a Teen or Young Adult?
- Wisdom Teeth Reviews
- How Much Does Wisdom Tooth Removal Cost and Is It Covered By Insurance?
- Trusted Wisdom Tooth Removal
- Get In Touch
- Related Procedures
- Recovery Following Oral Surgery
What Are Wisdom Teeth and Why Do They Need to Be Removed?
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the final set of teeth to develop, typically emerging in the late teenage years or early twenties. These teeth are located at the back of your mouth, behind the second molars, and their development is often associated with the transition into maturity. While some people experience no issues with their wisdom teeth, others may require a procedure like wisdom tooth extraction if there isn't enough space for them to fully erupt. At North Mississippi Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, with locations in Tupelo, Corinth, and Southaven, MS, we can evaluate and address any potential concerns with your wisdom teeth to ensure optimal oral health.
How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
North Mississippi Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates performs wisdom tooth extractions while the individual is under local anesthesia, but this surgery can also be combined with sedation dentistry to enhance relaxation. Many cases of wisdom teeth removal need an excision approach, especially when the teeth are impacted, have misshapen roots, or are tightly anchored to the jaw tissue. After our oral surgeon makes an opening in the gum tissues to expose the impacted molar, it may be split into a few pieces, enabling a more efficient extraction. Based on your individual case, each of the wisdom teeth could be addressed during the same session. Stitches could be added to safeguard the removal areas and aid in the recovery process. Our skilled dental professionals will give you post-surgical guidelines to follow over the next several days. If you ever have any questions about what to expect prior to, during, or after wisdom tooth removal, reach out to our team. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
What Does It Mean When Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted?
Impacted wisdom teeth occur when there isn't enough space in the jaw to allow these teeth to fully emerge and settle into their proper position. While most adults develop 32 permanent teeth, the limited size of the jaw often prevents the four wisdom teeth from erupting completely. When wisdom teeth are impacted, they fail to align correctly for effective chewing and cleaning, potentially leading to discomfort, infection, or other dental complications. North Mississippi Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates offers specialized treatment options to address impacted wisdom teeth.
Types of Impactions
The types of impactions include:
- Soft Tissue Impaction: The gum tissue does not have enough room to retract, making it difficult to clean the tooth properly
- Partial Bony Impaction: The tooth partially erupts, but it cannot function effectively in chewing, often leading to cleaning challenges and other issues
- Complete Bony Impaction: The tooth remains fully embedded in the jawbone or is in a complex position, requiring advanced surgical techniques for removal
Each type of impaction is evaluated carefully to determine the most effective treatment for optimal results.
What Can I Expect After Wisdom Tooth Removal?
After wisdom tooth extraction, patients can expect a recovery period that includes minor bleeding, swelling, and discomfort, which typically peaks within the first two days and gradually improves by the third day. The procedure is performed using anesthesia, with surgical risks and options discussed beforehand. Following the extraction, dissolvable sutures may be used, and patients are monitored until ready to go home with a comprehensive postoperative kit, including pain management and care instructions. Swelling can be minimized by applying ice on the first day, while moist heat can be used later to ease jaw stiffness. It's important to follow postoperative instructions, rest, and limit activities for a few days to ensure proper healing. Most patients begin to feel significantly better within 3 – 5 days and can resume their usual routines shortly thereafter.
What Are the Benefits of Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Wisdom tooth removal offers numerous benefits, including:
- Prevents Crowding: Extracting wisdom teeth helps avoid misalignment caused by overcrowding in the jaw
- Reduces Risk of Infection: Removing impacted wisdom teeth lowers the chances of gum disease, tooth decay, and infections
- Eases Jaw Pain: Wisdom tooth removal can alleviate discomfort from pressure or inflammation
- Protects Adjacent Teeth: Prevents damage to nearby teeth caused by impacted wisdom teeth pushing against them
- Improves Oral Hygiene: Removing hard-to-reach wisdom teeth makes cleaning easier, promoting better long-term dental health
Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Removing wisdom teeth is essential to prevent a variety of potential oral health issues. When there isn't enough room in the mouth for these third molars to fully erupt, problems can arise. Early removal, typically during the teenage years or early twenties, helps avoid these complications and promotes long-term oral health. Reasons to remove wisdom teeth often include:
- Infection: Impacted wisdom teeth can cause localized gum infections (pericoronitis), leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty chewing
- Cyst Formation: Fluid-filled cysts may develop around impacted teeth, damaging the jawbone and nearby teeth
- Crowding: Retained wisdom teeth can contribute to the misalignment of teeth, especially after orthodontic treatments
- Damage to Adjacent Teeth: Inadequate cleaning around wisdom teeth can harm neighboring second molars, leading to decay, gum disease, or bone loss
What if I Don’t Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed As a Teen or Young Adult?
Delaying wisdom tooth removal until your thirties, forties, or later can lead to more complex procedures and higher risks of complications. As wisdom teeth develop, their roots lengthen, and the jawbone becomes denser, making extraction more challenging. Healing may be slower, and the likelihood of infection increases with age. In some cases, if wisdom teeth are fully impacted in bone and have not caused immediate issues, removal may be postponed until a localized problem, such as cyst formation or gum disease, arises. However, removing wisdom teeth during the teenage years or early twenties typically results in faster healing, fewer complications, and a more predictable recovery.
Wisdom Teeth Reviews
Dr. Williams is amazing ! He eased any anxiety I had about the procedure (and trust me I had a lot considering I have dental anxiety and being pregnant on top of it). He checked on me throughout the whole tooth extraction making sure I was ok and wasn’t in any pain and it was honestly over before I knew it. I am eternally grateful to the amazing staff at this establishment for helping me with my dental issues after years of putting it off. I definitely recommend this place !
My son’s experience getting his wisdom teeth out was fantastic! We went in for a consult and same day surgery. We received all the information needed to care for his teeth and understand his prescriptions. The surgery( to remove 4 teeth) was very quick! I will definitely be using them again for my other children.
Wonderful staff and environment! I had a tooth extraction and the experience was great! I received the best explanations and comfort before and during the procedure. I was put to sleep during the procedure but I woke up very well and to familiar faces. Greater experience! Many kudos to the team for your hard work, customer service and great overall atmosphere! Will refer to anyone!
My experience was a 10/10 ! My first time ever getting my 4 wisdom teeth removed and they made me very comfortable, they reassured me, answered every questioned I had & explained everything detail by detail!
I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth 🦷 removed and didn’t feel a lick of pain! This office is amazing with communication and the surgeon was great!
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How Much Does Wisdom Tooth Removal Cost and Is It Covered By Insurance?
The cost of wisdom teeth removal varies depending on several factors, including the complexity of the procedure and the type of anesthesia used. During your consultation, we will review your x-rays, perform an examination, and discuss anesthesia options to provide an accurate estimate. Insurance coverage for wisdom teeth removal depends on the specific policies of your provider, and coverage may differ for each procedure. To help you navigate your benefits, we will assist in maximizing your insurance coverage, ensuring your treatment is as affordable as possible.
Trusted Wisdom Tooth Removal
If you're experiencing discomfort or concerns related to your wisdom teeth, don’t wait to seek expert care. North Mississippi Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates provides compassionate and professional wisdom tooth removal services in Tupelo, Corinth, and Southaven, MS. Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons ensure a comfortable experience from consultation to recovery, helping to prevent potential complications and protect your oral health. Contact a location near you today to schedule your consultation.
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Recovery Following Oral Surgery
People who require further forms of sedation to stay comfortable during their visit will need to bring a reliable friend to get them home. For the first several days following the extraction, it's important to restrict spitting, drinking with a straw, having high or low temperature foods and liquids, and to completely stop using tobacco and vaping. These activities will often detach the scabbing at the removal site and lead to an issue referred to as "dry socket." It is not out of the ordinary to experience facial swelling and discomfort following wisdom teeth extractions, which could be alleviated with prescription or drugstore pain relievers and cool packs held against the face. Our team will provide you with tips to help you care for your dental health while you heal and set up a check-in visit to assess your surgical sites while they heal.