Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Las Vegas, NV

What are Wisdom Teeth?

In short, wisdom teeth are the third set of molars. Although they were helpful for our ancestors, they usually are more harmful now. That’s because all of your other teeth are already taking up space inside your mouth, so there likely isn’t enough room for the wisdom teeth. As a result, you may start to experience pain near the back of your mouth, and you could be more prone to infections and other oral health problems.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

If a wisdom tooth is healthy, fully erupted (meaning it has grown in completely), positioned properly relative to the other teeth, and can be cleaned easily, then we may not have to remove it. However, an extraction is necessary if:

• The wisdom teeth remain completely hidden under the gums, which can lead to infection or a cyst.
• The wisdom teeth partially emerge through the gums, making them hard to clean.
• The wisdom teeth crowd your other teeth.

If we find that your wisdom teeth are currently causing problems, or they are likely to once they come in, we will recommend having them removed.

What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure

The wisdom tooth extraction process will look a little different depending on a few things, including if you’re being sedated and if the teeth that need to be extracted have broken through the gumline. That said, the first step is always the same: numbing your mouth thoroughly. Once you can’t feel anything and you’re ready to begin, Dr. Michael Rose will grip the tooth that needs to be removed, gently rock it loose, and then remove it from the socket. Of course, if the tooth is trapped underneath the gumline, then he will need to first create a small incision in your gums to access it. Then, he will remove it section by section and tend to the extraction site.

Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction

To prevent complications, like an infection developing, we strongly recommend:

• Brushing and flossing carefully around the extraction site
• Eating extremely soft foods, like plain yogurt
• Taking OTC pain medication as directed
• Using cold compresses in 10-minute intervals
• Keeping your head elevated while you sleep
• Drinking water throughout the day to stay hydrated