Facing any dental surgery is no small matter, but visiting your dentist Darlinghurst with the plan to have a wisdom tooth removed might be especially nerve-wracking. Because most people don’t think about their third molars until they develop problems with them, you probably didn’t realize until now that this particular procedure will require some extra care on your part. Fortunately, if you’re able to find out as much as possible about how it’s done before the big day comes, you’ll be better equipped to handle it gracefully.
Here are five things you should know about removing a wisdom tooth:
- A wisdom tooth has already formed by adulthood.
The first teeth to appear after birth are the 20 primary upper and lower teeth. These function for about six years until the permanent sets begin to come in around age 12. Though they’re usually all in place by 16, some people develop a third set of molars known as wisdom teeth (also called the third molars) at a later date. Since you already have adult-size dental crowns, it’s essential to take care of them properly from day one after their birth.
- Wisdom tooth surgery is more complicated than other procedures.
Because these teeth are closest to your sinus cavities and nerves, any surgery performed on them will be trickier, more dangerous than typical operations performed on primary or baby teeth. Plus, because many patients aren’t even aware that they still have wisdom teeth until they’re ready to be removed, you might not even know that they exist. Therefore, it’s essential to let your dentist know if you develop any problems with them so that they can examine them and determine the best course of action.
- Wisdom teeth removal is an invasive procedure.
Suppose you do decide on the option of extracting your wisdom teeth. In that case, you must understand that this is an excruciating and intrusive medical procedure and will therefore require some time to heal. Before any surgery can take place, you’ll need to consult with your dentist to consider different options before moving forward – then wait at least two weeks or more to allow for swelling and pain levels to subside entirely before scheduling the actual appointment. Be sure to use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to keep down your post-operative discomfort. Ensure you follow all instructions from your dentist and carefully protect the affected area from speeding up the healing process.
- There are several ways to have a wisdom tooth removed.
Though you might think that having a wisdom tooth pulled is a relatively straightforward procedure, in actuality, there are different ways it can be accomplished, based on your particular needs and the wisdom tooth’s location. Your dentist will use their professional judgment when deciding how best to remove your third molars, whether by opening up the gum tissue around them for easy access or using modern surgical techniques like laser surgery.
- Because of their difficult locations, many people decide not to have their wisdom teeth removed after all.
Even though there are various procedures in place designed to make it easier to remove third molars (some dentists can even do so without requiring a visit), this doesn’t mean that you’ll be comfortable with any type of removal procedure. If you’re worried about post-operative pain from wisdom tooth surgery, you may opt only for periodontal therapy instead of an extraction procedure. A periodontal dental assistant is specially trained to clean the bones and gums that surround these teeth, sometimes enough to allow the wisdom tooth to fall out on its own.
If you have questions or concerns about having your third molars removed, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist right away. They can examine them for signs of decay or infection, determine if they are healthy enough to be removed safely, discuss whether more conservative steps are available first or offer more invasive solutions if necessary. Most importantly, talk openly with your dentist so they can help you weigh all of your options before deciding what’s suitable for you.