We receive many frequently asked questions from our patients about treatment. To help ease any concerns you might have about your upcoming procedure, we’ve included the answers to many of these questions below. If you need additional information, do not hesitate to contact our team.
No, you should not expect to feel any pain during your extraction. Dr. Williams will administer IV sedation and local anesthesia before starting the removal process. While the anesthesia numbs the tooth, the sedation minimizes any fear or anxiety you have and dulls your senses so that you experience no discomfort. Also, you will be unlikely to remember anything from your appointment.
You may not need wisdom tooth extraction, but if your dentist recommends removal, it is likely because you are at risk of infection or other serious dental problems. Most individuals lack the necessary space for these teeth to erupt, so removing them is the best option for better oral health.
It is commonly viewed as a “rite of passage” for younger patients because issues that can develop later are better avoided. Although you are not obligated to undergo treatment as a teenager or young adult, you can expect your dentist to discuss their recommendation and why they believe earlier extraction will prove more beneficial for your future smile and oral health.
It is common for patients aged 17 to 25 to experience wisdom tooth eruption.
You will need to be careful when cleaning your mouth following tooth extraction. This means gently brushing your nearby teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush. You can rinse your mouth three times a day with a prescribed oral rinse, or you can use warm salt water.
If your dentist discovers that you have an impacted wisdom tooth, it means it is trapped beneath the gumline and cannot erupt. Oftentimes, it can grow at an angle or crookedly, making it difficult for there to be enough space in your mouth for it to push through the gums. Removing an impacted wisdom tooth is essential to prevent an oral infection.
After we turn off the flow of medication, you can expect to feel more alert within 10-15 minutes. However, this does not mean you are free to leave on your own. The effects can take 6 hours to wear off fully, so you will need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you while you rest.
A dry socket is an uncomfortable side effect that can occur after an extraction. It can occur anywhere from 24-72 hours after a procedure and is usually associated with throbbing pain near the socket that can radiate to the ear or jaw. To reduce the discomfort you experience, you will need to take prescription pain medication. If this is sufficient, you will not require additional care from Dr. Williams. However, if the pain persists, he will determine the best course of treatment for the dry socket, which usually requires a medicated dressing.
