At The Smile Specialists, removing a tooth is always the last resort. However, sometimes having a tooth removed is the best way to keep the rest of your smile healthy and intact.
Why remove Wisdom Teeth?
Typically, adults have a total of 32 teeth, and wisdom teeth are the last teeth to usually erupt in the mouth. However, in many cases, wisdom teeth are impacted to some degree. This can often pose a challenge to good oral hygiene. Furthermore, it can promote an environment for bacterial growth underneath the gums that surround these teeth, leading to infection. Another indication to remove wisdom teeth is to prevent cyst/tumor formation.
We at the Smile Specialists are expertly trained to remove wisdom teeth impacted in any way. Our surgeons can do so with various types of anesthesia so you can be comfortable during this experience.
Why remove them as a teenager or young adult?
In short, the younger you are, the easier it is to remove your wisdom teeth. As we age into our thirties and forties, our jawbone may become denser and teeth roots can grow longer. Once this happens, it makes the extraction process more challenging. However, at a young age, the complications are more likely avoided and the healing time shortened.
When do I need a tooth extraction?
In general, we only perform a tooth extraction if other treatment options have been exhausted. If you receive treatment on time, you can often avoid having any teeth removed. However, in some instances, the only way to protect the rest of your teeth is to remove a damaged or infected one.
The most common reasons for tooth extraction include:
- Dental trauma
- Crowding of teeth
- Disease or serious infection
Fortunately, modern dental science provides a range of tooth replacement options, so your smile can stay intact. From dental implants to dental bridges, you can restore your smile with a natural-looking replacement.
What to expect on the day of the procedure?
Before any tooth extraction or wisdom teeth removal, we have a thorough consultation with every patient. During this meeting, we take a 3D image and discuss the entire treatment plan with you. We also conduct a thorough examination and learn about your medical history. This knowledge helps us determine the safest and most effective level of anesthesia for your treatment.
For the procedure, we ask that you have someone bring you to the appointment and pick you up afterward. A typical procedure will take no longer than 30-45 mins and the total chair time will be no longer than 90 mins. It is essential that you don’t eat or drink anything 6-8 hours before the procedure.
We provide medications to help with pain and swelling during the procedure to assist with a smooth recovery. Once you are fully awake and comfortable, we will allow you to go home to heal and rest. The post-operative checkup timeframe will vary from 1-2 weeks. If you have any questions during your recovery, do not hesitate to give us a call. We will gladly provide any helpful information.
What to expect after your tooth extraction?
Swelling can be present after the procedure. We recommend placing ice over the area for the first two days to help with swelling. Pain can be effectively managed with oral pain medications prescribed to you for the first few days. Our staff will call you the night or day after the procedure and will be available anytime that you may have questions.
Replacing your teeth
We understand that removing a tooth can be a difficult decision. Fortunately, modern dental advances make replacing a tooth more straightforward than ever before. We can help you find the best solution for replacing your removed teeth and restoring your smile to a complete state that looks and feels natural.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants are a great way to rehabilitate a patient’s smile and functional habits.
A dental implant is a titanium “screw” that is placed into the jaw bone upon which a custom crown may be fabricated and connected to the implant. Once the implant is placed, its typical to allow 3-6 months for the bone to heal around the implant before loading it with a crown. At the smile specialists, we will use only the best equipment and materials to assure optimum results.
Sinus Lift/Ridge Augmentation
In the upper jaw, right above the molar and premolar regions (back teeth) there are empty spaces called sinuses. Sometimes, the sinus membrane (the layer around the sinus) is closer to the teeth bearing areas of the jaw. When teeth in this area are removed or are missing, the membrane may need to be lifted and additional bone needs to be placed underneath so a dental implant can be placed with adequate bone surrounding it for stability.
In both the upper and lower jaw, the bone level may either be insufficient in height, width or both. When teeth are absent in these areas and a fixed prosthesis (like a dental implant) is desired, augmenting the region with bone may be necessary. At the Smile Specialists, we have various options for rehabilitating areas of edentulism. These procedures may also be performed under different levels of anesthesia depending on the case and patient’s health history.
Platelet Rich Fibrin(PRF)
This technique allows us to harvest the portion of our patient’s own blood that are rich in growth factors like (PDGF, VEGF) that will help accelerate the healing process for the procedures we do.
How do we accomplish this?
We collect a small vial of blood from the patient and use a centrifuge machine to spin the blood, allowing it to separate into different layers. We are able to extract the layer with the highest potential of growth factors and healing properties to help patients heal faster.
3D imaging
At the Smile Specialists, our state of the art equipment can deliver a 3D view of the patient’s facial skeleton that will allow us to identify, measure, and treat our patients with the most advanced level of care. We use the Sirona Galileos 3D cone beam technology and advanced imaging software to treatment plan every case with the patient’s chief concern at the forefront.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you think you might need a tooth extraction or wisdom teeth removal, then contact us today. The sooner you receive treatment, the better the expected outcome of your procedure. While having teeth removed can sound intimidating, it is often vital to protect both your dental health and your overall health. Call your orthodontist today to schedule your consultation and get started on protecting your smile and health. We look forward to working with you soon.