Thousand Oaks Wisdom Tooth Extraction | Teeth Impaction and Removal

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Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom tooth removal or extraction of one or four wisdom teeth is one of the most prevalent oral surgery procedures in Thousand Oaks Oral Surgery. Adult wisdom teeth are taken from the sockets of the jaw, which are located on the top and bottom margins of your mouth.

BE PROUD OF YOUR SMILE

At Thousand Oaks Oral Surgery, we specialize in oral surgery care, including dental implants and wisdom teeth removals.

Wisdom Teeth Impaction and Removal

Wisdom teeth or third molars emerge last of all the permanent teeth. They usually start to appear in the mid-teen years, possibly continuing into the early to mid-’20s. Wisdom teeth can grow normally, emerge improperly, cause dental issues, or never develop. Because their growth can be tracked through x-rays, your dentist may suggest wisdom tooth extraction before they ever emerge if a problem is identified.

Reasons for Wisdom Tooth Removal:

Most wisdom tooth removals are advised due to:

Dental impaction: Due to blockage from other teeth, the wisdom tooth does not emerge entirely or at all, causing infection and pain.
Decay or gum disease: Cavities can form if floss or a toothbrush are not used correctly to reach the back teeth. Periodontal disease can develop when food or bacteria become trapped beneath the gum tissue, significantly when wisdom teeth only partially develop.
Smallmouth: Some people do not have enough room in their jaws for an additional set of molars.
Wrong angle: Wisdom teeth rarely emerge in the wrong direction or angle (for example, the top of the tooth facing sideways, backward, or forward) and cause issues with other teeth.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth are one of the most prevalent reasons for removal. Indications of an impacted wisdom tooth can include:

Red, puffy gums
Jaw discomfort or swelling
Bleeding or delicate gums
Struggle opening the mouth
Breath problems
Bad taste in the mouth

Impacted Wisdom Teeth Complications

An impacted wisdom tooth can be incredibly painful and also lead to additional complications, such as:

Periodontal disease: Impacted wisdom tooth bulges through gums can result in infection, inflammation (enlarged red gums), and discomfort.
Orthodontic crowding: Wisdom teeth crowd the front teeth, causing surrounding teeth to shift out of place. This produces complications with orthodontic procedures.
Damage to nearby molars or bone: An impacted tooth may keep moving toward the molars next to it, damaging both teeth.
Dental cyst (fluid sac): A dental sac around a tooth can displace the tooth, destroy the bone, and damage the teeth and gums around it.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction as a Preventive Measure

Your doctor may also suggest wisdom tooth removal as a preventative procedure, mainly when x-rays show a possible problem. Having the teeth removed early can prevent:

Overcrowding of teeth
Soreness and discomfort from an impacted tooth
Gum infection
Red, puffy gums due to a partial eruption

Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure

Simple uprooting of one tooth may be completed during an office visit to the dentist. Still, more frequently, an oral surgeon like Dr. Nakano will perform a surgical extraction, significantly if teeth are impacted, or multiple teeth are being removed at one time. Most wisdom teeth are extracted using intravenous sedation, also known as twilight sedation. Dr. Jonathan Nakano will cut the gum tissue during your wisdom tooth extraction, revealing the bone and tooth. Any bone preventing access to the tooth will be removed. The wisdom tooth may be divided into small sections for easier removal. After removing the wisdom tooth, the extraction site is cleaned out, and stitches may be used to secure the wound, although not all wisdom tooth extractions need stitches. The dressing is then placed over the area to help clot formation and control bleeding.

Postoperative Wisdom Tooth Extraction Instructions

You will be kept in a recovery room or under monitoring in our office until your anesthetic wears off after your wisdom teeth extraction (unless your procedure only required local anesthesia). Most patients can go home in a short time, and your doctor will provide you comprehensive post-surgical directions, which can include:

Keeping the gauze on the extraction area for the first day. Replace the gauze regularly when blood-soaked.
Avoid spitting to avoid dislodging the blood clot growing in the socket at the extraction area.
Keep your head up to maintain slow bleeding.
Use ice packs on your cheeks in 15 to 20-minute intervals to lessen inflammation, bruising, and discomfort the first day. Moist heat (warm compresses) can be applied for 2-3 days.
Avoid extreme physical activity. Resting is an essential part of your speedy recovery.
Use over-the-counter pain medicine (like ibuprofen) or some pain medicine prescribed by your doctor to ease discomfort.
Do not drink caffeinated, alcoholic, or carbonated refreshments for at least 24 hours after your wisdom tooth removal. Water (lots of it) is the healthiest beverage you can take after surgery.
Do not use a straw for a while. The sucking can displace the blood clot from its socket.
Eat soft foods for a day. Slowly add in more solid foods as you can bear them. Avoid chewy or solid foods that may aggravate the wound or get stuck in the socket.
After surgery, don’t smoke for at least three days. Chewing tobacco should not be resumed for a week. Any tobacco use after oral surgery can hinder healing by reducing the blood supply and contaminating the extraction site.
After 24 hours, you should start gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water numerous times daily. Your doctor will provide you with specific guidance on oral care after your surgery.
Avoid touching or rubbing the extraction area with your tongue or fingers.
If you have stitches, your doctor will tell you when they should be removed if they are not dissolvable. Daily activities can usually be resumed after surgery, with only minor limitations involving vigorous movements.

Complications of Wisdom Tooth Extractions

Occasionally complications may arise after a wisdom tooth is removed, such as:

Dry socket: Painful condition that can occur when the blood clot is lost from the socket
Infection: From food or bacteria stuck in the socket
Bleeding extraction socket: Bleeding from the extraction socket that persists after 24 hours
Trismus (lockjaw): Extraction can cause harm to previous dental work, the jaw, or the nasal cavity in rare cases.