Wisdom Teeth Removal in Port Perry
Port Perry Dental Associates provides wisdom teeth removal services that are provided in a safe environment utilizing modern monitoring equipment, registered nurses, and staff that are experienced in anesthesia techniques.
About our Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure
Pre-surgical oral examination
We start with a dental x-ray & examination of the mouth from Port Perry Dental Associates. This allows us to evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict whether there may be present or future problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior wisdom teeth extraction for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years.
During your wisdom teeth procedure
In most cases, wisdom teeth removal is performed under local anesthesia: laughing gas or intravenous sedation/light general anesthesia. These options, as well as the surgical risks (i.e. sensory nerve damage, sinus complications), will be discussed with you before the wisdom teeth extraction is performed. Be sure to mention any medications and/or prescriptions you may be currently taking.
Post-surgical care for wisdom teeth extraction
Once the wisdom teeth are removed, the gum is sutured (stitched up). To help control bleeding, bite down on the gauze placed in your mouth. You will rest under our supervision in the office until you are ready to be taken home. Upon discharge, your post-operative kit will include care instructions, a prescription for pain medication, antibiotics, and a follow-up appointment in one week for suture removal.
Is any of this confusing? Feel free to contact us with any questions. It is important you understand and feel comfortable about your wisdom teeth procedure. Contact us today!
What are wisdom teeth?
By the age of 18, the average adult has 32 teeth - 16 on top and 16 on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth or molar teeth are used to grind food up into a consistency suitable for swallowing.
However, the average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These 4 other teeth are your third molars (wisdom teeth) and are a biological remnant from when humans had much larger jaws. Many thousands of years ago, our food wasn't cooked and was much tougher to chew, making extra molars necessary. These days, some lucky folks don't have wisdom teeth at all!
Want to learn more about wisdom teeth? Contact us today!
Why should I consider getting a wisdom teeth removal?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. A wisdom teeth removal procedure is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.
These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they partially erupt, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result includes swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumours or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems. Early wisdom teeth removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.
If you have any questions regarding the wisdom teeth removal procedure or our services, please do not hesitate to contact us.