By having wisdom teeth extracted, you prevent oral health complications like infection, overcrowding, misalignment, and more that can be caused by third molars.
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Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop in the mouth. However, many adults do not have enough room in their mouth for an extra set of molars. Having wisdom teeth extracted by an oral surgeon prevents these issues and protects your long-term oral health.
Some of our patients who have undergone wisdom teeth removal have shared their stories with us. We encourage you to listen to them so you can learn more about the wisdom teeth removal process and feel more comfortable about your own oral surgery procedure.
Many people develop wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 21. Without enough room in the dental arch, these molars can push against other teeth as they try to squeeze in. Dental overcrowding can cause pain, pressure, or swelling in the back of the mouth, and can jeopardize the alignment of your healthy adult teeth. As teeth shift to accommodate these large molars, you may develop bite problems or notice that your teeth are not as straight as they once were.
At Roden Oral, Facial, and Dental Implant Surgery, Dr. Roden and Dr. Alling are oral and maxillofacial surgery experts who regularly perform wisdom tooth extractions in our state-of-the-art office. We are located in Birmingham, AL, which is only a 15-minute drive from Vestavia Hills. If you live in Vestavia Hills and you or your child need wisdom teeth removed, we invite you to contact our office to schedule an appointment.
Sometimes when there is not enough room for a tooth to erupt into the dental arch, it becomes stuck beneath the gums and is considered to be impacted. If an impacted wisdom tooth is left untreated, it will become more firmly embedded in the jaw bone, making future extraction more difficult. Because they grow at an angle, impacted wisdom teeth can damage adjacent molars and their roots.
Wisdom teeth may cause damage to facial structures that can go undetected for many years, and by the time the issue is identified, serious bone or tooth damage may have already occurred. Impacted teeth also increase the risk of oral infection and gum disease because a tooth that has only partially erupted through the gum tissue can be difficult to clean.
Symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth include:
If you notice any of these symptoms or have been referred by your dentist to an oral surgeon for your wisdom teeth, contact Roden Oral, Facial, and Dental Implant Surgery today. By treating your wisdom teeth now, we protect your oral health for the future.
First, you will meet with your oral and maxillofacial surgeon during a consultation visit. Our team will take 3D scans of your mouth, which your surgeon will use to design your custom treatment plan. Before your procedure, we will help you select the right type of anesthesia or sedation to ensure a comfortable surgical experience. Your anesthesia options include:
During the procedure, your surgeon may use forceps to remove your wisdom teeth. To access impacted teeth, your surgeon will make an incision in the gums. The impacted teeth are extracted, and sutures are placed as necessary to close the incisions. You will rest in our office until the anesthesia wears off and you are ready to go home.
At Roden Oral, Facial, and Dental Implant Surgery, we offer exceptional care at competitive prices for the Birmingham area. To make oral surgery care more accessible, we offer financing options and accept a variety of payment methods. We create a custom care plan for every patient. Therefore, there is not one flat rate for a wisdom teeth removal procedure. During the consultation, we will provide you a cost estimate for your wisdom tooth removal, which is determined by several factors:
Investing in wisdom teeth removal now can help you avoid costly surgical procedures down the road, such as cyst removal, treatment for infection, or a more complex extraction procedure.
Other benefits of having your wisdom teeth extracted include:
To keep you as informed as possible throughout your treatment, we provide detailed instructions on what to expect before and after your procedure. Read and follow your pre- and post-operative self-care instructions closely. Your compliance throughout all parts of your treatment will ensure a smooth procedure and fast recovery.
Many patients return to their normal schedules a day or two after surgery, although it may take up to 2 weeks for the surgical sites to heal completely.
A dry socket is a condition that can occur following tooth extraction where the blood clot forming within the empty tooth socket becomes dislodged. A dry socket can be quite painful, as the underlying nerves and bone are exposed. If you suspect a dry socket, contact our office immediately for assistance. You can prevent a dry socket by not smoking or using a straw for 3 days after surgery.
Some discomfort can be expected with any type of surgical procedure. With the use of anesthesia and sedation, patients can expect a calm and comfortable wisdom teeth removal experience. Following surgery, you may experience some pain or swelling as your mouth heals. You can manage discomfort with over-the-counter pain medication as directed by your surgeon, or by applying an ice pack to the face to reduce swelling.
Roden Oral, Facial, and Dental Implant Surgery offers wisdom teeth removal to patients throughout Birmingham and surrounding areas, including Vestavia Hills, AL. Our office is only a 15-minute drive from Vestavia Hills, and we invite you to contact us to schedule your wisdom teeth removal consultation.
Contact our office if you have questions at any point during your treatment or if you would like to schedule an appointment.
