Wisdom Teeth Removal
When your wisdom teeth grow in, they can become impacted and cause overcrowding, pain, and oral health complications.
Wisdom teeth removal can relieve your pain and preserve your oral health, even preventing the loss of additional teeth.
Our board-certified dentists in Lakewood, CO, can extract your wisdom teeth with minimal discomfort.
Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
The wisdom teeth are a set of third molars. When they grow in, they often cause oral health complications and uncomfortable issues, including:
Because a wisdom tooth is so far in the back of the mouth, it is often difficult to properly brush and floss. This can lead to tooth decay, which can spread to other teeth or cause oral infections.
Even if your wisdom teeth erupt properly, there often isn't enough room for them in the mouth. This can cause overcrowding. Shifting teeth can lead to a misaligned bite, which may require orthodontic treatment to fix.
If an infection develops with your wisdom teeth, it can cause a cyst to form in the area. This can lead to damage to the jawbone, the surrounding nerves, and the oral tissue.
When a wisdom tooth does properly not erupt from the gums, it can become impacted. This can cause swelling and pain in your face and jaw.
The wisdom teeth in your upper jaw sit very close to your sinuses. If they come in improperly, it can cause sinus pressure and congestion.
The Wisdom Teeth Extraction Timeline
We perform wisdom tooth removal in an oral surgery suite at our Lakewood office . Your sedation method will have been determined at your consultation. Our dentists can help you choose the right option for your specific needs.
Day of Procedure
Have questions?
Recovery and Aftercare
Most patients report little discomfort during recovery. Here are some tips to help you in the days following your wisdom tooth removal:
Get plenty of rest and avoid exercise and heavy lifting for at least 48 to 72 hours.
Apply ice or cold compresses to your jaw to minimize swelling. This is especially important in the first 24 hours. You can switch to warm, moist compresses on day two.
Eat a soft diet. This will give the area time to heal.
Avoid drinking through a straw. Suction can dislodge the blood clot that forms in the space left by the wisdom tooth. This can cause a painful issue known as a dry socket.
Take medications as directed. Your dentist may prescribe pain medication or antibiotics. Otherwise, take over-the-counter medications to minimize discomfort.
Before you leave our Lakewood dental practice, we will provide you with all the instructions you need to recover as comfortably as possible. Our patients are our priority, so we'll be here for you every step of the way.
