Wisdom Tooth Extraction Calgary
Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Calgary - Your Comfort Comes First
Get your wisdom teeth removed by an experienced dental team!
Are your wisdom teeth causing you pain? Is discomfort or pressure bothering you at the back of your jaw? Your family dentist may have suggested removing your wisdom teeth.
No need to worry, as wisdom tooth extraction is a routine procedure that can alleviate your discomfort.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the back of your mouth, typically appearing between ages 17 and 25. While most people have four (one on each corner of the jaw), not everyone does. If there's not enough space for them to grow, they can become impacted, leading to swelling, infections, and pain, necessitating their removal.
Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth, the last set of adult teeth, typically emerge between the late teens and mid-twenties. However, some people may experience them earlier or later, while others may not have them at all. While some wisdom teeth emerge without causing immediate problems, there are strong reasons to consider their removal:
- Crowding and Misalignment: As the last teeth to emerge, wisdom teeth can disrupt the alignment of your other teeth, causing crowding.
- Impacted Teeth: Wisdom teeth can grow sideways or get stuck beneath the gum and bone, known as impaction, leading to severe pain and potential infections.
- Risk of Infection: Impacted wisdom teeth can cause infections in the surrounding tissues.
- Cysts or Tumors: Impacted teeth can also lead to the formation of cysts or tumors, which can damage the jawbone and nearby teeth.
Navigating Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure performed by an oral surgeon or experienced dentist. The procedure can be done under general or local anesthesia, depending on your needs. Here's a simplified breakdown of the steps involved:
- Accessing the Tooth: A minor incision is made in your gum to reach the tooth, and a small section of bone covering the tooth might be removed if necessary.
- Dividing the Tooth & Extraction: The tooth is divided into sections and then gently extracted.
- Cleaning the Site: Debris from the tooth or bone is cleaned from the extraction site.
- Closing the Wound: Dissolvable stitches are used to close the wound, supporting the healing process.
- Facilitating Clot Formation: Gauze is applied over the wound to aid in the formation of a blood clot, an important step in the healing process.
Aftercare for Your Comfort and Well-Being
For your comfort and care, we recommend having a friend or family member accompany you and stay with you during recovery. Aftercare instructions will be provided, including helpful tips for a smooth recovery. If you have any concerns, our team is here to assist you.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to remove wisdom teeth?
If an x-ray shows wisdom teeth trying to find a way to develop but there is not enough space, your dentist will be able to determine when to remove them. However a lot of patients only realize they are developing wisdom teeth due to pain or swelling in gums. Age is also a consideration when deciding when to remove wisdom teeth, but your dentist can determine that based on your particular case. Sometimes they are also removed to prepare for orthodontic treatment.
Do all wisdom teeth have to be extracted?
Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed, it depends on the dental situation of each individual patient. Wisdom teeth typically do not need to be removed if they’re healthy, have grown in completely (meaning they’re fully erupted), are positioned correctly and bite properly with the opposing teeth on the upper or lower jaw, and are able to be be properly cleaned and flossed in a patient’s daily hygiene practices.
Symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth
- pain in the jaw and side of the face
- swelling
- difficulty in opening jaw
- headaches
- unpleasant taste when eating and bad breath
- numbness in the jaw
- bleeding gums
Ready to say goodbye to wisdom tooth pain? Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
