Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Fremont, CA

Wisdom teeth, sometimes called third molars, typically begin trying to come through your gums in the later teenage years and early twenties, but they aren’t always successful.

When your wisdom teeth come in, it can be painful. Plus, depending on how much room you have in your mouth, your wisdom teeth might even start pushing the rest of your teeth together.

Most adults choose to have their wisdom teeth removed, whether it's their choice or their dentist's recommendation. Here are the main things you need to know about wisdom teeth removal.

How Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

Wisdom teeth removal is a highly successful dental procedure that is usually completed in less than two hours.

X-Rays - X-rays are taken before the actual procedure. They will determine how soon you should have them removed and help the dentist formulate a plan.
Anesthesia - There are instances when wisdom tooth removal uses only local anesthetics; however some patients are put to sleep using intravenous anesthesia.
Gum Incision - The dentist will make an incision in your gum to access the bone trapping your wisdom tooth if necessary
Bone Removal - Sometimes it is necessary to remove the bone that is preventing the wisdom tooth from properly growing into place.
Tooth Extraction - Once the dentist has access to your tooth, they will remove your tooth.
Stitches - After the tooth is removed, it may be necessary to use stitches so your gum heals back faster.

Reasons to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted

Wisdom teeth can be very problematic for some people. Because of this, it’s important to schedule regular dentist appointments and report any pain or discomfort to avoid further complications.

They Can Compromise Oral Health

Wisdom teeth are notorious for being hard to clean, work on, and overall unhealthy. They're much more susceptible to infection than your regular teeth.

Having them removed will limit oral health issues down the road. This includes things like periodontal disease, tumors, and cysts that require surgery to remove.

They Can Shift The Rest of Your Teeth

Wisdom teeth can become impacted, making them shift into unnatural positions, often pushing into other teeth because your mouth doesn’t have enough room for them. Over time, this will result in your teeth pushing against each other, making them crooked.

Most people have already had braces by the time wisdom teeth begin affecting their teeth. You wouldn't want to let your wisdom teeth undo the years of work it took to get your teeth straight in the first place.

They Can Cause Discomfort

The force wisdom teeth can place on your other teeth can make them sore. Infections will also cause a great deal of discomfort and pain in the vicinity.

Signs You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted

The signs that you need your wisdom teeth removed include feeling them, seeing them, or worsening teeth crowding.

You Feel Your Wisdom Teeth Coming In

If your gums are sensitive around the area of your third molar, this could mean you need your wisdom teeth removed. Your gums shouldn’t be sore, so you should schedule an appointment with your dentist for further examination.

Even if you aren’t experiencing discomfort, you can sometimes feel them trying to come through your gum with your finger. If the teeth are far enough out of the supporting bone, you should be able to feel one or two small lumps directly under your gums.

You Can See Your Wisdom Teeth

If you can see your wisdom teeth poking through your gums, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Partially erupted teeth can allow bacteria to make their way below the gum line and cause infections.

Worsening Teeth Crowding

Teeth crowding doesn't always indicate that you need your wisdom teeth removed. Even those that have had them extracted can experience overcrowding over time due to natural shifting.

However, if your teeth seem to start getting pushed together during dramatically later teenage years to mid-twenties, that is a good sign you will need your wisdom teeth removed.

At What Age Should You Get Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

The ideal age to get your wisdom teeth removed is somewhere between 16 and 20. However, it may be medically beneficial to get them removed earlier. On the other hand, some people have to wait a couple of years longer if their wisdom teeth develop slower.

Getting your wisdom teeth taken out at this age also mitigates the damage they can cause to the rest of your mouth and teeth.

Having your wisdom teeth extracted at a later age isn’t the end of the world because everyone’s development pace is unique to them. However, if you live for several years with signs or symptoms, you may need more dental work than just wisdom teeth removal.

How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?

The cost of wisdom teeth removal varies from patient to patient. Many factors go into the cost of extracting your wisdom teeth, including:

Whether you are locally numbed or put to sleep
The amount of anesthesia required
How many teeth get extracted (you might not have all four wisdom teeth)
The skill level of the dentist doing the procedure
Your geographic location
Your age

Does Insurance Cover Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Most insurance providers will cover at least a portion of the cost of wisdom teeth removal. How much they will cover depends on the company, the plan, and your premiums and deductible.

Post-Operative Care Instructions

So, your wisdom teeth were removed, but you’re not out of the woods yet. After surgery, you need to take precautions to avoid infections and prolonged healing.

Your dentist will provide specific instructions on how to care for yourself following wisdom tooth extraction. However, here are a few tips we provide to our patients to help them recover as safely and quickly as possible:

Keep your head elevated and avoid bending over at the waist for 48 hours.
Avoid strenuous activities for the first 48-72 hours.
Lightly ice your face for 20 minutes at a time throughout the first 24-28 hours to reduce swelling.
Gently soak your incision with antimicrobial mouthwash once or twice a day for the first three days, but DO NOT SWISH, as this could cause bleeding and increase healing time.
Avoid brushing the incisions.
Take antibiotics as prescribed.
Don’t smoke.
Don't drink through a straw, as this can dislodge blood clots and extend healing time.

If you have any care instructions at all, ask your doctor. It’s better to be safe than sorry.