If you’re experiencing pain in the back of your jaw, a likely cause could be your wisdom teeth. Your 3rd molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, grow in the following areas of your jaw. They start to appear between the ages of 17-25. Often, people don’t have enough space in their jaws and gums to accommodate them. When this happens, they can push up against your other teeth. Leading to teeth and bite misalignment’s. Along with gum disease and infections. At Star Dental Riverside, we help many patients with their Wisdom Teeth removal.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
After an oral exam and X-rays, your dentist will be able to diagnose if your wisdom teeth need pulling. The X-rays will show the direction your wisdom teeth are growing. Our dentists will then be able to predict if your wisdom teeth will cause future issues due to possible overcrowding and impaction.
If your wisdom teeth are currently causing pain or will in the future, oral surgery is your best option. The exact surgical method will depend on whether the teeth are visible or not through your gums.
What Happens During The Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure Like?
At Star Dental Riverside, we also help with general tooth extractions. There are times for one reason or another your tooth is beyond saving and will need removal. With modern techniques, these once painful procedures can now be comfortable. Your dentist can apply sedation and anesthesia to the problem tooth. If your tooth is visible, then a simple extraction with grip tools will suffice. For non-visible teeth with chips or fractures, surgical removal is the top choice.
What’s The Recovery Time?
After your teeth extraction, it’s common to experience swelling and some discomfort. Ice packs and medication will be a part of your prescription post-treatment. Postoperative healing varies amongst individual patients. Most patients heal within a couple of days to a week.
You may ask, what happens to that space where my tooth once was? A lot of patients elect to get cosmetic dentistry done following a tooth extraction. Some don’t want to see a space when they smile, while others want to be able to bite down properly with a full set of teeth. At Star Dental Riverside, our dental office provides a wide array of dental options. Treatments such as dental implants, dentures, and bridges can replace your missing teeth, depending on your unique situation.
Are There Any Risks With Wisdom Tooth Surgery?
Wisdom Tooth Extraction surgery is a conventional oral surgery done in many dental offices. Like any other surgery, the procedure carries potential risks. Fortunately, these risks are quite small. Possible complications from the surgery include:
- Dry socket, a common complication that causes a dull aching sensation in jaw or gums.
- Paresthesia, temporary or permanent nerve damage
- Infection at the surgery site
- Hemorrhage, heavy bleeding
- Temporary localized swelling in the jaw
- Difficulty owning the mouth
These complications are avoidable with proper precautions. Star Dental recommends the surgery done at an early age. So timing is vital for successful removal surgery.
What Happens If I Delay Wisdom Teeth Removal Treatment?
Wisdom teeth that don’t get pulled out can cause many future issues. The following problems can occur, such as:
- Pericoronitis, a specific type of gum infection. This condition arises when the wisdom tooth is unsuccessfully pushing through the gums.
- Formation of cysts and benign tumors. These can appear when your wisdom teeth become impacted. If they do appear, they’re tough to treat and damaging to tissues. Cysts and tumors will destroy your jawbone and surrounding teeth.
- Overcrowding and teeth misalignment. Impacted wisdom teeth will push into its neighboring teeth. It is causing pressure and misalignment issues in your teeth and jaw.
What Are The Costs? Does Insurance Cover The Extraction?
Exact costs and coverage for a Wisdom Tooth Extraction will vary. Many questions need to be answered to pinpoint an exact price point. How many wisdom teeth need removing? Will there be a local anesthetic or sedation involved? Is it a simple extraction or a complicated impacted tooth? Will your insurance view your situation medically necessary? Does your insurance have a yearly cap on dental care? Dental coverage will vary by insurer and policy. At Star Dental Riverside, our team will be more than happy to check your coverage. Our dentists, too, will explain what type of extraction you will need.
Your teeth are precious; don’t trust them to just anyone. Get the best dentist in Riverside. In many instances, your teeth can be saved. Don’t hesitate to call us and ask questions. Our Riverside dental office accepts Medi-Cal and a lot of PPO & HMO insurances. We also provide new patient specials for cash-paying patients. At Star Dental Riverside, we want you to experience the best dental care. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
