Experiencing Discomfort From Your Wisdom Tooth?
Contact us now to schedule your dental consultation. Here's what you can expect from a tooth extraction procedure:
- The extraction site is numbed to prevent discomfort during the procedure.
- A minor incision is made in the gum to enable access to the tooth and bone.
- The tooth is divided into sections to reduce the risk of damage to the surrounding bone and then extracted.
- The location of the extraction is cleaned to remove any tooth or bone debris.
- Dissolvable stitches are used to hold the open wound together and encourage healing.
- Gauze is placed over the wound to stop the bleeding and promote the formation of blood clots.
Wisdom tooth removal is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of one or more wisdom teeth. This procedure can be performed by a dentist or an oral surgeon and varies based on the patient’s age and the position of the tooth and its stage of development. There are many symptoms that may indicate that you need to undergo wisdom tooth extraction. However, it is best to visit your local dental clinic for a consultation and full exam before deciding your next steps.
Preparing For Your Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Before undergoing a wisdom tooth extraction, patients attend a pre-extraction appointment. During this process, the dental care specialist will gather pertinent information about the patient’s medical history, give a detailed explanation of the procedure, and answer any questions the patient may have.
It is important for patients to disclose the names of any prescribed medications they are taking to the dental care specialist at the pre-extraction appointment. Medical prescriptions contain chemicals that may react with each other and it is crucial that the oral surgeon is aware of the situation. Patients are generally required to fast for 12 hours prior to the procedure. If you’re anxious, your doctor will ease concerns about the wisdom tooth extraction procedure.
What To Expect: Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure
The wisdom tooth extraction procedure takes approximately 45 minutes, depending on how many teeth are being removed, and does not require an overnight stay. Before beginning the procedure, the extraction area is numbed to prevent further discomfort. Patients who prefer to be put to sleep for the duration of the procedure can request anesthetics for an additional fee.
After the anesthetics have kicked in, the dental surgeon takes the following steps to comƒplete the tooth extraction process:
- A minor incision is made in the gum to enable access to the tooth and bone.
- The tooth is divided into sections to reduce the risk of damage to the surrounding bone and then extracted.
- The location of the extraction and its surrounding area is cleaned to remove any tooth or bone debris.
- Dissolvable stitches are used to hold the open wound together and encourage healing.
- Gauze is placed over the wound to stop the bleeding and promote the formation of blood clots.
Although general anesthesia begins to wear off towards the end of the procedure, there are side effects that last long after the patient wakes up. Each patient is advised to make transportation arrangements to and from the surgical appointment.
Post Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Recovery Guidelines
While a wisdom tooth extraction is an outpatient procedure, it is important to take the day off from daily routines such as work, camp or school. A day following the procedure, patients are allowed to return to their regular routine at their discretion. It is normal to feel some sensitivity or pain following the wisdom tooth removal surgery. It will take a few days to completely recover from the procedure, so here are a few tips to ensure your speedy recovery while minimizing discomfort and the risk of infections.
The Dos and Don'ts Following Your Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Do's
- Follow the instructions given by your dentist or oral surgeon.
- Take medications as prescribed to reduce pain and swelling.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Eat soft food only - soup, pudding, pasta, yoghurt etc.
- Apply an ice bag to your jaw in ten-minute increments. This will reduce swelling and bruising.
- Once the swelling has reduced, gradually exercise your jaw by gently opening and closing your mouth.
Dont's
- Do not dislodge blood clots.
- Do not use straws - sucking could result in dislodged blood clots.
- Refrain from brushing or washing your mouth until a day after surgery.
- Do not rinse your mouth harshly - instead, rinse softly using a saltwater solution.
- Avoid eating hard, crunchy or sticky foods that could cause wounds to reopen.
- Do not smoke during the recovery period as this can slow the healing process.
Contact Us
Our dental team at Marlborough Dental Centre aims to relieve your discomfort and enhance your dental hygiene. Give us a call now with any questions about your dental health, or schedule your wisdom extraction online today.
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At Marlborough Dental Centre we put your health first. Dedicated to providing quality dental care through excellent service and years of experience, we make your needs a priority. Call us at
(403) 248-2066 or fill out the contact form today!