When Should I Keep or Extract My Wisdom Teeth?

Did you get the bad news that you need tooth extractions in Legacy? Do not worry! Our specialists perform this procedure with the best techniques and anesthetic methods for you not to feel anything.

Among the reasons you need to look for tooth extractions near you, you can find:

1. Poor oral hygiene – is the most common reason for tooth loss. People not brushing their teeth and consuming sugary foods may develop dental caries that, in advanced stages, destroy all the dental structure, leaving no option to rehabilitate the dental piece.
2. A failed root canal – even though you can get endodontic retreatment, some people prefer extracting the dental piece and getting a dental implant.
3. Gum disease – Gum or periodontal disease is the infection of the tissues supporting the tooth. In the early stages, it separates the dental piece from the gums. You may reverse this condition (Gingivitis) with oral care and teeth cleanings with our dentist in Legacy. If untreated, the gum and bone recede, and teeth shift to the point they can fall out. Ouch!
4. Lack of space – When you have no room for teeth to emerge in their correct position, orthodontists may decide to extract some teeth, especially the first premolars. The doctor has to evaluate the case to see if it is worth pulling these out.
5. Wisdom teeth – Another common reason for tooth extraction is the emerging of third molars. We will explain when keeping them and pulling them out below.

When to Extract Wisdom Teeth?

If you visit a dentist near you because of the pain third molars cause, they will probably plan their extraction. Wisdom teeth cause many issues when they erupt because there is not enough room for them. Due to this reason, they impact the second molars, shifting them and causing malocclusions.

Also, they accumulate a lot of bacteria because it is hard to brush them (they are way back in the mouth!). You develop dental caries faster in these molars; therefore, their extraction is necessary.

In conclusion, if you have no space for them, are in pain, or accumulate dental plaque and find it hard to brush them, it is best to pull them out. 

On the contrary, if you have enough room for them to come out in their correct position, and your caries risk has not increased because you can brush them correctly, you may keep them. Also, if you lose another molar, you may undergo orthodontic treatment to use the third molar as your second one. 

What to Expect from a Tooth Extraction?

The oral surgery is minimal, and you may opt for sedation dentistry. If you choose gas sedation, you will remain awake but very calm.

Besides sedation dentistry, the surgeon will administer a local anesthetic in the area to numb it. You will not feel any pain, but you will notice some pressure with an impacted tooth. It is tolerable and will be only for a moment.

After the tooth extraction, you may feel discomfort for a few days. If it was a more invasive surgery (like impacted wisdom teeth), it is normal to feel mild pain for a week or a little bit more. You can control symptoms with ice packs and over-the-counter pain medication like Ibuprofen (if allergic, take Advil). You do not have to take antibiotics afterward.

Schedule Your Appointment

For more information on dental procedures, including surgeries, you may contact our dental offices at your best convenience. We are working like usual and taking the necessary COVID-19 precautions for your safety.