Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Dacula, GA
 Wisdom teeth are the four furthest back molars that grow in most individuals between 17 to 25 years of age. While you may not experience any issues with your back molars, it is not uncommon to begin experiencing pain and discomfort when your wisdom teeth begin growing. Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure that is performed to remove one or more of these teeth when there is not enough room for them to grow properly. An impacted wisdom tooth can go beyond just a lingering pain, it can cause infection and interfere with your ability to chew. Our staff at Lanier Valley Dentistry is here to help you with managing this pain and will inspect your teeth to see if a wisdom tooth extraction is necessary.
Common Issues With Impacted Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth begin growing in, your mouth may not have enough room for them to grow properly. This can lead to several deformities and issues as they begin growing into your mouth. You may experience pain, damage to the surrounding bone and teeth, or develop a fluid-filled sac, called a cyst, around the wisdom tooth. In more severe cases, impacted wisdom teeth can cause infection or gum disease by trapping food, debris, and bacteria behind the wisdom tooth. You may also develop severe tooth decay in the partially erupted wisdom tooth. If you decide to get an orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth, your wisdom teeth will likely impede this process and require an extraction.
How To Determine If You Have an Impacted Wisdom Tooth
When your wisdom teeth begin growing, it’s not uncommon to feel pain as the teeth break through the gum barrier. This does not necessarily mean you have an impacted wisdom tooth, and you must wait for the teeth to begin growing fully. When you come in for a consultation, our experienced staff will examine your teeth closely to look for signs of infection and deformities during its growth. The most common deformities include a wisdom tooth that grows normally but stays trapped within the jawbone, which can inhibit its ability to grow out fully. Your wisdom teeth may grow at an angle toward the tooth closest to it or an angle towards the back of your mouth. These deformities are proof that your tooth is not able to fit properly in your mouth and will need to be extracted.
What Is the Procedure?
Our staff will ensure you are properly prepared for your wisdom tooth extraction, explaining to you the entire procedure beforehand. The procedure necessary will depend on the complexity of your case, as it differs from person to person. You will always undergo a form of anesthesia. In minor cases, a local anesthetic is applied. In a moderate to severe case, you will either undergo sedation anesthesia or general anesthesia. A local anesthetic will only remove the pain, but you will feel the pressure and movement from the procedure. Sedation or general anesthetic will not only remove all pain, but it will also limit your memory during the procedure, as you are mostly or completely unconscious during the procedure.
After an anesthetic is applied, our staff will make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the bone and tooth. The bone that blocks the root of your tooth is removed and the tooth is divided into sections. Each section is then removed, and the area is cleaned of any debris. We will then suture the gums and place a gauze over the extraction area to help promote a blood clot and control any bleeding. We will provide you with all the aftercare instructions either before or after the procedure is completed.
If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain and discomfort, there is a likely chance you will need them removed. Contact our Lanier Valley Dentistry office today at (678) 802-8654 to schedule an appointment.
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