Oct
The wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to erupt through the gum line, and they are notorious for becoming problematic for many of our patients at Pearlmax Oral Surgery. San Diego, California, area patients who are referred to our practice by dentists may need immediate care. But is emergency wisdom tooth removal necessary? Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions about surgical molar removal and when it might be needed.
It depends on the specific situation and the recommendation from your dentist or oral surgeon. Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the very last set of teeth to develop inside the mouth. They typically appear between the ages of 17 and 25 but can cause problems for many different patients.
Some people have enough space in their mouth for their wisdom teeth to come in without any issues. In these cases, removal is not necessary. However, many people do not have enough room in their mouth for these extra teeth and may experience pain, discomfort, or other complications. The teeth are also so far in the back of the mouth that they can be difficult to reach for brushing and flossing, leaving them at higher risk of developing cavities or contributing to periodontal disease.
In such cases, your dentist may refer you to our oral surgeon, Dr. German Trujillo, and recommend removing the wisdom teeth with emergency surgery. This means that he will need to remove the teeth as soon as possible to alleviate any pain or prevent further complications.
Some common signs include severe pain and swelling in the back of the mouth, difficulty opening up the mouth or swallowing, and an unpleasant taste or odor in the mouth. These symptoms can indicate an infection caused by impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth. Other reasons for emergency removal may include damage to surrounding teeth, cysts or tumors associated with the wisdom teeth and crowding that may lead to misalignment of other teeth.
Typically, it is a simple surgical procedure done under local anesthesia, meaning you are awake but will not feel any pain. Dr. German Trujillo will make a small incision into the gum tissue, which allows access to the wisdom tooth and may need to remove some bone or divide the tooth into smaller pieces for simpler extraction. Once the tooth is removed, stitches may be placed to help with healing.
Recovery time can vary from person to person, but it is important to follow post-operative instructions provided by your trusted oral surgeon for optimal healing. This may include taking prescribed pain medication, using ice packs to reduce any swelling, and eating soft foods for a few days.
Call Pearlmax Oral Surgery in San Diego, California, at (858) 434-7554 to schedule an upcoming visit to our office at 4520 Executive Drive, Suite #220, and find out if oral surgery is necessary to assist you with your oral health needs.