Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to develop in the mouth. Sometimes, people develop anywhere between one and four wisdom teeth, more than four, or none at all. Wisdom teeth have large, unpredictable roots that can damage nearby teeth. These troublesome teeth often develop during the mid to late teen years, although some patients develop them as late as their mid-twenties. Many dental professionals recommend removing wisdom teeth early to avoid the oral health complications that are often caused by wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth can cause:
Sometimes, a wisdom tooth may only partially erupt through the gum and become trapped. This is known as impaction. Impaction refers to any tooth that is unable to fully emerge through the gums and may become tilted, twisted, or displaced as it tries to emerge.
Symptoms are not always present in the cases of impacted wisdom teeth, which is why it is important to be evaluated by your dentist during regular check-ups. If there are symptoms present, you may experience pain or swelling in the area, swollen or bleeding gums, jaw stiffness, or ongoing bad breath; you may even be able to see the tooth poking through the gum line. Oral surgeons utilize highly advanced imaging technology to determine the exact positions of wisdom teeth and present you with a plan to manage them.
Sometimes, patients think that if they’re not experiencing any pain, there aren’t any problems. However, many oral health issues can exist without causing any pain. When you visit our office for a consultation, Dr. Glosenger will evaluate your wisdom teeth and determine the right course of action to benefit your oral health.
Removing wisdom teeth can also leave more room in your jaw for other teeth to finish developing. Sometimes, removing these teeth can alleviate sinus issues. The most important reason to get your or your child’s wisdom teeth removed is to protect your oral health. Untreated wisdom teeth can threaten nearby teeth and lead to gum disease, tooth decay, nerve damage, and more. When you have your wisdom teeth extracted, you get peace of mind, too!
When you visit North Dakota Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, Dr. Glosenger will design a treatment plan that is unique to you. Typically, a wisdom teeth removal procedure takes between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the number of wisdom teeth that need to be removed and the type of anesthesia used. We will discuss all of these factors during your consultation.
First, Dr. Glosenger will administer the chosen form of anesthesia. Most patients undergo general anesthesia, allowing them to sleep comfortably and wake up when the procedure is over. Once you are comfortably sleeping, your doctor will numb the area and make an incision in the gum to expose the tooth. Large wisdom teeth may need to be sectioned into smaller pieces before they are extracted. After the tooth is removed, your doctor will stitch the incision site closed, and you will rest comfortably in our office until the anesthesia sufficiently wears off.
You can expect to rest for the remainder of the day. Our office provides detailed recovery instructions to ensure a quick and comfortable recovery.
The fee of having wisdom teeth removed varies. This will depend on the number of teeth that need to be extracted, the choice of anesthesia, if any other additional procedures are necessary, and the details of your insurance coverage. Our front office staff can help provide you with an estimate of fees and assist you throughout the insurance reimbursement process. You can call our office today to schedule a consultation, where you can receive a cost estimate for wisdom teeth removal or any other oral surgery procedure.
When you have your wisdom teeth removed, you obtain peace of mind in knowing that your oral health is taken care of. Dr. Glosenger and his team are professionals who value the oral health of all every patient, and we look forward to helping you achieve a healthy smile.
Our office is located on the southwest side of Minot, North Dakota, and we look forward to meeting you. During your consultation, Dr. Glosenger will evaluate your teeth and likely take 3D scans so that he can design a customized treatment plan that is right for you. If you’re ready to have your or your child’s wisdom teeth removed, please contact North Dakota Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center at your earliest convenience.
Every patient is different, but many people can expect to return to their normal routines within a week following wisdom teeth removal surgery. The instructions that we provide will help guide you after your procedure to ensure your recovery is smooth and speedy. Your recovery may be longer if you had additional procedures performed or if your surgery was extensive.
When you visit your dentist regularly, he or she can monitor the growth of your wisdom teeth and determine if they need to be removed and how many are developing inside your mouth.
Many patients opt to undergo general anesthesia, which means that you will be completely unconscious during the procedure and wake up once it’s over. If you are undergoing this form of sedation, you must have a responsible adult present in the office during your procedure and afterward to drive you home and help care for you.
Due to the nature of general anesthesia, you will be comfortably asleep and will not experience any pain during the procedure. Most patients report that their comfort is well controlled after surgery. Post-operative pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications, ice packs, and making sure to follow the instructions provided by our office.
Give us a call! Our staff is here to help. We want our patients to have a wonderful, positive oral surgery experience, and we are happy to help answer any questions that you have along the way.
