Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Miami, FL
Wisdom teeth are the backmost molars in your mouth that usually grow in between the ages of 15 and 20. Many times, these molars grow the wrong way and can cause serious problems in the mouth. Our Miami dentists highly recommended that if you are in this age range to come and see us for a consultation and free X-rays! We can then advise you on the best course of action to take in your specific situation.
Wisdom teeth, sometimes called third molars, come in later in life than most of our permanent teeth, and some people may not have wisdom teeth at all. But you’ve probably heard of friends and family having these molars surgically removed. The process is actually nothing to fear and it’s important to do if the wisdom teeth are decayed, cause pain, develop cysts, or are infected. These teeth often get stuck in the jaw (impacted) and do not develop naturally, so they often require extraction.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to be Removed?
Why is it that wisdom teeth often need to be removed when they come in, unlike our other teeth? The answer has to do with space. Because wisdom teeth come in a little later than our other teeth (around the age of 15 to 25 year old), sometimes they don’t have enough room to come in behind existing molars. This causes a space problem called impacted wisdom teeth. Without space, the tooth may start to grow in at an awkward or painful angle, or remain trapped in the jaw under the gum.
In the case of impacted wisdom teeth, it’s important to remove them to avoid pain, infection, tooth decay, cysts, and other damage and complications to overall tooth and gum health. Our office can remove impacted wisdom from some or all four corners of the mouth if needed and relieve the pressure and pain caused by lack of space.
Wisdom teeth can cause a variety of issues if left untreated, including:
- Bacteria growth and infection in gum
- Pain and swelling
- Misalignment of other teeth
The Process of Removing Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The first step is to talk to your dentist at a regular appointment or during a free consultation. We may do X-rays to determine if you have developed wisdom teeth and how well they are growing in. If they look impacted or need to be removed, we will schedule an appointment to have them removed. We recommend having your wisdom teeth removed before any serious dental issues begin and/or to correct any damage that your wisdom teeth already caused.
We do offer conscious sedation or nitrous for wisdom teeth extraction procedures. If you choose conscious sedation, you will need a friend or family member to drive you home. During the procedure, while your mouth is completely numb, our dentist will make a small incision into the gum tissue and remove the tooth. Then, before stitching up the incision, our team will clean the area of any debris. It’s that simple and it’s nothing to fear.
After your wisdom teeth removal procedure, your dentist will give you clear instructions on how to clean and care for your gums while you heal. Your dentist will prescribe medication for any pain or discomfort you may experience. Drink lots of water and stick to eating soft foods, like yogurt, for the first 24 hours. Instead of brushing your teeth, rinse with mouthwash for the first day or two to avoid pulling out the stitches too early. If your stitches do not dissolve naturally on their own after about a week, you may need to come back into our office to have them removed.
Call Elite Dental Group today to book your wisdom teeth removal appointment!