A majority of Americans must get their wisdom teeth removed at some point in their lives. Though common, many dental patients feel nervous when their dentist recommends this oral surgery.
Our dental practice prioritizes patient comfort, so we want patients to know what to expect during this dental procedure before they arrive for their surgery. Dr. Sahil Goyal, a dentist in Frederick, MD, responds to frequently asked questions regarding the extraction of wisdom teeth.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth refer to the third set of molars that grow into place usually after an individual completes puberty, hence their name. Dental patients may notice soreness as the teeth break through the gum tissue. Some people do not have wisdom teeth at all, and others have them grow without issue.
Why Would I Need Wisdom Teeth Removed?
In many cases, there is not enough room in the patient’s mouth for the third set of molars. This can cause overcrowding in the mouth, shifting other teeth out of place and creating chronic pain in the jaw.
Wisdom teeth may also become impacted, which means that they get stuck in the gum and are unable to grow into place properly. This causes a great deal of pain for dental patients and raises their risk of contracting an oral infection. To prevent these issues, dentists often recommend an extraction procedure for wisdom teeth.
How Long Will I Need to Recover After a Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Your dentist will plan an oral surgery to extract one or more wisdom teeth that will last for one dentist appointment. You will return home after this surgery, though you should arrange for a ride because you will feel groggy from anesthesia.
You should plan for several days of recovery time to heal from your wisdom tooth extraction. Make sure you follow aftercare guidelines from your dentist so that you can heal without developing issues like dry socket. This painful condition will require intervention from your dentist to treat.
Get oral surgery from your dentist in Frederick, MD. Frederick Center for Dentistry offers tooth extraction procedures and other general dentistry treatments to patients of all ages. Dr. Goyal is a highly qualified dentist in Frederick, MD who also specializes in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including tooth replacement solutions. To schedule an appointment with our practice, contact us online or reach our office by phone at 301-264-5680.