Why Do We Remove Wisdom Teeth?
There can be a number of reasons to remove wisdom teeth, but the overall reason is that modern humans have no immediate need for them. Sometimes a wisdom tooth will come in without causing any harm, so it will not need to be removed. The most common reasons for removing a wisdom tooth are:
- Impacted — The patient's jaw is not large enough to accommodate the tooth, which is unable to break through the gums.
- Partly showing — The tooth may only partially break through the gums and is therefore unable to seal correctly against the gums. This creates a route for infection and poses a risk to the patient.
- Angle — Some wisdom teeth come in at an awkward angle, which can cause pain or damage to adjacent teeth.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure
For a simple extraction, a dentist can perform the procedure in office. If the tooth is impacted or requires additional instrumentation or a surgical procedure, it will be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Recovery for Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Immediately following the procedure, you will be asked to bite down on gauze to help form a blood clot. In the days following the procedure, you must take careful steps to avoid breaking the clot and allow it to heal properly. Some things to avoid include:
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Using a straw
- Hard foods or candies
- Chewing excessively
- Picking at the sore spot
Your dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure the area has healed properly.
If you are in need of a wisdom tooth extraction in Northwest Las Vegas, please do not hesitate to call our friendly staff at (702) 847-8662 to schedule an appointment.