WISDOM TEETH Removal in Elizabeth, NJ

Wisdom teeth are the four permanent adult teeth located at the back corners of the mouth on the top and bottom. Wisdom teeth that don’t have room to grow properly often result in pain, infection, and other dental problems if they aren’t removed. To prevent potential oral problems, an oral specialist may recommend wisdom tooth extraction even if the impacted teeth aren’t actively causing problems.

Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group goes the extra mile to provide our patients with the finest care. We work hand-in-hand with our patients to maximize their care and ensure patient satisfaction. When it comes to your oral health, it’s crucial to have the best care possible, and at Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group, we pride ourselves on always providing our patients with the best treatments possible.

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Researchers believe that wisdom teeth were once necessary due to the fact that diets consisted of hard nuts, crunchy leaves, and uncooked meat. Nowadays, however, we eat more cooked food and use forks and knives to cut food into smaller pieces. As a result, wisdom teeth are regarded as a part of the human body that has become unnecessary and, in fact, often causes more harm than good.

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25 and are the last permanent teeth to appear. However, some people never develop wisdom teeth. For others, wisdom teeth normally erupt just like their other molars and cause no problems. Then, there are people whose wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to come in or develop normally.

Wisdom teeth without enough room to grow may:

• Grow at an angle toward the next tooth as a second molar
• Grow at a right angle to the other teeth, as if the wisdom tooth is lying down within the jawbone
• Grow at an angle toward the back of the mouth
• Grow straight up or down like other teeth but stay trapped within the jawbone

The problems with impacted wisdom teeth are that they may cause:

• Pain
• Infection or gum disease (periodontal disease)
• Tooth decay in a partially erupted wisdom tooth
• Damage to a nearby tooth or surrounding bone
• Development of a fluid-filled sac (cyst) around the wisdom tooth
• Complications with orthodontic treatments to straighten other teeth

Since impacted wisdom teeth have the potential to cause significant oral problems, the best thing to do is usually to have them removed.

5 Things to Know Before Wisdom Teeth Removal

Going into any kind of surgical procedure can be scary, but understanding the procedure can help patients make informed decisions and feel more in control over their oral health. Before going in for a wisdom teeth removal, there are a few things to keep in mind that can make the experience better, including: 

Pain and Swelling Are Common

Many patients, after the procedure, experience some pain, swelling, and discomfort. On the first day, patients don’t often feel the pain due to the anesthesia still in their systems. However, they may experience pain later on, but their surgeon can provide them with medication for pain relief.

Someone Else Needs to Drive You Home

As mentioned above, many patients don’t experience pain the first day after the procedure. While this is great for pain relief, the anesthesia impairs a person’s ability to safely drive themselves home. Therefore, you will need someone to drive you home after the procedure.

You Shouldn’t Eat After the Procedure

For at least the first day after the procedure, it’s best to avoid eating solid foods. An oral surgeon can provide patients with recommendations on what they can eat and drink. It’s important to follow their recommendations and stay hydrated to avoid complications.

You Shouldn’t Brush Your Teeth for the First 24 Hours

While patients may be inclined to brush their teeth, brushing their teeth so soon after the procedure can irritate the space where the wisdom teeth used to be and cause pain or damage. To help the mouth heal properly, it’s better to avoid brushing your teeth, and it’s critical that you follow the surgeon’s recommendations.

Don’t Smoke or Vape After Oral Surgery

Suction from vapes in the mouth can lead to dry sockets, which can keep the mouth from healing properly. Additionally, tobacco can irritate the tissue in the mouth and make the healing process more difficult. 

What Is the Process of Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery?

There are various methods for getting wisdom teeth removed depending on how they’ve grown. If the wisdom teeth have already broken through the surface of the gums, the removal is similar to the procedure for taking out any other tooth. However, if the wisdom teeth are causing complications because they’re trapped in the jaw or under the gum, the process is a bit more complex. In these cases, the oral surgeon makes an incision above the tooth through the gum’s surface and removes any bone covering the tooth. The tooth may be broken into smaller pieces to make the removal easier.

Experienced Wisdom Teeth Removal Oral Surgeon in Elizabeth, NJ 

At Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group, we value the comfort and health of our patients above all else. We also understand the importance of a happy and confident smile. We’ve seen firsthand the hardships of living with oral pain and are committed to helping our patients find pain relief. Contact Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group to work with a clinic that’s committed to you. Complete our contact form for more information or call (908) 774-8196 to schedule an appointment.