May
We all know someone who’s had their wisdom teeth removed. It’s one of the most common oral surgeries and can be managed now with a minimal time commitment and little discomfort. Whether preventative or prescribed, identifying potential wisdom teeth problems is an area of expertise for Dr. Nguyen of West Portal Family Dentistry in San Francisco, CA. She will guide you through the process, ensuring you understand all the steps and ensure that your surgery is as painless and easy as possible. While “surgery” may sound scary, the process is very routine, and patients often manage recovery independently.
Wisdom teeth (third molars) are the last teeth to grow in and typically appear between ages 17 and 25.Their removal is most common because those final teeth don’t have enough room to grow naturally alongside your other teeth. This can result in “impacted wisdom teeth,” meaning those third molars are growing in at an odd angle or cannot appear through the gums. When this happens, it can result in trapped food, pain, infection, decay, or damage to the surrounding teeth. Dr. Nguyen uses X-rays to easily identify whether wisdom teeth will need to be removed and can help prevent problems associated with impacted wisdom teeth before they begin.
The removal of wisdom teeth is one of the most common oral surgeries available. If Dr. Nguyen determines a problem with a set of wisdom teeth, she’ll work closely with you to de-mystify the process and set you up for success.
The extraction typically takes a few hours, and patients can go home the same day. Depending on the complexity of the extraction, your oral surgeon will use one of three anesthetic approaches:
Once the anesthesia has been administered, a small incision is made in the gums to expose the impacted teeth. Those teeth are then removed (along with their roots), and the area is cleaned. Gauze is then placed to account for any bleeding, and once the patient has recovered from the anesthesia, they are ready to head home.
Typically, patients monitor their own recovery. Your dentist or surgeon will go over the best practices for keeping the area clean and free of infection. In most cases, any soreness after surgery can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
To schedule an examination or consultation today, get in touch with the West Portal Family Dentistry team by calling (415) 604-9292 .