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!
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
Anthropologists believe they were essential for the early ancestors of mankind who had tougher diets that required extra chewing power. So, they’re an evolutionary holdover, kind of like your appendix or your tailbone.
However, modern cooking methods and smaller jaw sizes mean wisdom teeth often cause crowding, pain, or impaction. At Franklin Dental Center, we’ll evaluate your smile when you see us so we can see whether your wisdom teeth need removal. This is normally done to prevent future dental issues like misalignment or infection. If they aren’t causing problems, they may not need attention at all!
It’s been a couple of decades since the invention of modern anesthesia. While your parents or grandparents may have had a hard time with a procedure like wisdom tooth removal, it shouldn't pose a problem for you.
At our Tyler dental office, we numb the area completely before extraction, so you won’t feel pain during the surgery. Even after the procedure, when swelling and soreness are commonplace, they can often be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers.
Fortunately, most patients feel the discomfort subside within a few days. If you have concerns about pain management, our team is happy to talk about your options when it comes to comfort for your procedure.
The ideal age for wisdom tooth removal is usually between 16 and 25 years old. At this stage, the roots are not fully developed, making extraction easier and recovery faster. However, that doesn’t mean that if you miss this window, you’re out of luck.
Our team uses advanced imaging to map out your mouth and create a treatment plan for removal. Wisdom teeth can be taken out at any age if they’re causing pain, crowding, or infection. So, if you or your child are in need, scheduling an evaluation now can help prevent these future dental issues.
Wisdom tooth extractions are typically quick, lasting 30–60 minutes, depending on the number of teeth removed and their positions. Simple extractions take less time, while impacted teeth may require additional steps.
Regardless of how long the surgery takes, sedation can make it feel like a shorter experience. We often recommend using this option, especially for anxious patients or those who are sensitive to pain. Sedation dulls your senses, even your sense of time!
At Franklin Dental Center, we'll ensure that your procedure is efficient and stress-free, allowing you to get back to your life as soon as possible. After surgery, we’ll provide detailed aftercare instructions to help you heal so your overall downtime is minimized.
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