Wisdom teeth are the term used to describe the third set of molars that erupt in the back of the mouth during the late teens or early twenties, commonly called the “wisdom” years. While they served an important function in our ancestors jaws, nowadays wisdom teeth can cause a variety of problems. In fact, most wisdom teeth are unable to erupt properly because there isn’t enough room in the mouth. This can lead to wisdom teeth becoming partially or completely impacted, or stuck below the gums. As a result, wisdom teeth extractions are performed to safely remove wisdom teeth and prevent complications.
Did You Know?
We have wisdom teeth because our ancestors ate a diet consisting of tough foods like roots, meat, seeds, and uncooked vegetation that required extra chewing power. Over time, however, the human diet becomes much softer. That combined with the fact that the brain evolved to become larger made the oral cavity smaller, which is why wisdom teeth now do not fit in the mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need my wisdom teeth removed?
Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed. With that being said, however, most people end up having their wisdom teeth extracted. Some symptoms that you may need your wisdom teeth removed include:
- ongoing pain in the back of the mouth
- gum inflammation around the wisdom teeth
- infection
To determine if you should have your wisdom teeth removed, schedule a consultation with our Flushing, Queens dentist at New York Dental Solutions.
What can I expect when having my wisdom teeth extracted at New York Dental Solutions?
A wisdom tooth extraction is a common procedure, which means you can expect our Flushing, Queens dentist to perform it safely and with little discomfort. You will receive local anesthesia at the site where the incision will be made. Once numbness sets in, there are two different approaches that may be used to remove your wisdom teeth.
Simple Extraction
During a simple extraction, our dentist will use dental forceps and an elevator tool to rock the tooth loose and lift it from its socket. Simple extractions are generally used when the tooth has almost completely erupted, allowing it to be extracted in one piece.
Surgical Extraction
During a surgical extraction, the gum tissue will be carefully cut open to expose the wisdom tooth, then the affected tooth will be broken into pieces and removed one piece at a time. This approach is used on wisdom teeth that are partially or completely impacted. After the entire tooth is removed, our Flushing, Queens dentist will stitch up the incisions.
What can I expect after having my wisdom teeth extracted?
After your wisdom teeth are extracted, you can expect to briefly remain in our office so we can monitor you as the anesthesia wears off. You will then be able to return home, however you will need someone to drive you. It is normal for your cheeks to feel numb and bloated, partially because your mouth will be stuffed with cotton to absorb any bleeding.
As the anesthetic wears off, you may experience some pain around your extraction sites. To ease discomfort, take prescription or non-prescription pain medication as directed by our dentist for post surgery relief. Make sure to rest for 24-48 post wisdom tooth extraction. Also, try to avoid drinking from a straw or touching the extraction sites as you may dislodge the protective blood clot.