Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Tyler, TX

To be honest, not every tooth in a smile is crucial to oral health. Some people have wisdom teeth that greatly harm their mouths, damaging them over time. Dentists must often remove these body parts to help their patients avoid harsh oral problems. That said, we at Franklin Denter Center proudly offer wisdom tooth extractions here in Tyler. To learn more about them and how they work, please keep reading or book a consultation with us!

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Also known as “third molars,” wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to emerge. They tend to erupt (when present) between the ages of 17 and 25, sitting in the back of your mouth.

Wisdom teeth aren’t usually needed by people today. While they aided our ancient ancestors, they don’t contribute to the average modern diet. It’s to the point that not everyone gets them nowadays – folks can be born with three, two, one, or none at all. Wisdom teeth don’t always have to be removed, either.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

In many cases, wisdom teeth are a major threat to oral health. Many dentists remove them to keep a patient’s smile strong and functional.

You see, wisdom teeth often lack space to erupt well. Modern people have smaller mouths than their ancestors, so they typically don’t have room for third molars. This reduced size can cause wisdom teeth to get trapped in the gums, leading to pain, infections, and worse. An emerging wisdom tooth can also cause an overcrowded mouth and a crooked smile.

Signs you’d benefit from a wisdom tooth removal are:

• Pain while eating
• Facial swelling
• Difficulty opening your mouth
• Bad breath
• Jaw stiffness

What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure

Because smiles develop differently, the exact steps for a wisdom tooth extraction can vary. Whether the procedure is simple or complex will depend on your case.

Extraction will be simple if your wisdom teeth have erupted. In that case, we’ll first numb your mouth (using an anesthetic)  so treatment isn’t painful for you. Our dentists will then use an elevator to lift the affected teeth. Once we grip them with forceps, we can wiggle the teeth free from their sockets.

If the wisdom teeth are impacted, the extraction process will be complex. That means we’ll make a small incision in your gums once we’ve numbed your mouth. By doing so, our team will have better access to your tooth and remove it more easily. We could either extract the whole thing or break it into pieces and remove them one by one.

Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Once we’ve removed your wisdom teeth, your mouth will feel sensitive for a while. Manage this ache (and your general recovery) by using the following after-care instructions:

• If needed, take over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication.
• Use a cold compress or ice pack to decrease swelling.
• To avoid a dislodged blood clot, don’t use drinking straws for a few days.
• Twenty-four hours after surgery, rinse with salt water to clean the treatment site.
• Avoid foods that are crunchy, hard, and sticky.
• Stay clear of tobacco products, as they interfere with your healing.
• To reduce your recovery time, get ample rest.
• Keep your head elevated during sleep.

You should call us if your wisdom teeth start troubling you. With our help, your third molars won’t bother you or your smile anymore.