Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Florence, AL
Unlike some dental procedures, wisdom teeth extraction is fairly common as millions of people around the globe are affected by impacted wisdom teeth.
In many cases, it is often put forward as a preventative measure to preserve the oral health of the patient.
Recovery is usually quick and most patients can go back to their normal lives in a day or two.
Many people do not realize until it is too late but impacted wisdom teeth can raise a fair amount of oral complications if not treated early on. At Singing River Dentistry, we have a dedicated team that carries out tooth extractions.
If you come into our Florence, AL office with an appointment to extract your impacted wisdom teeth, our doctors will ensure you have a smooth and comfortable experience.
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What Causes Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
When wisdom teeth become impacted, it means they did not erupt correctly through the gums.
In some instances, they can correct themselves, but most of the time surgical intervention is required to ensure the best outcome for your oral health.
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt, and are not actually vital to dental health. Usually, patients are between 17 to 21 years old when they begin to come in.
An overly-crowded mouth, misalignment issues with other teeth, and genetics are all possible causes for impacted wisdom teeth.
At What Age Should I Get Wisdom Teeth Removed?
There are no predefined rules dictating what age one must get their wisdom teeth removed.
People of all ages have this surgery, and many often do before their wisdom teeth become impacted.
Our dentists recommend that you have them extracted in your late teens or early 20s. This is the safest way to ensure that your third molars never get a chance to become impacted. Since they are still forming during this stage, it is fairly easy to remove them with less risk of complications.
Dental Technology that Helps Us with Wisdom Tooth Removal
ICAT Technology
ICAT is a digital imaging technology like X-rays, CAT scans and CT scans, but more advanced.
The technology used for the ICAT is similar to that of digital X-rays.
However, the images produced are more along the same lines as those produced by a CT scan.
The ICAT uses a cone-shaped X-ray beam, which rotates a full 360 degrees around your head. Instead of capturing a single image, the X-ray beam captures several images as it rotates.
When the scan is complete, the images are strung together to create a single 3-dimensional image.
It will show us your bone, your soft tissues, your teeth and your nerves. With such an in-depth picture, we can make a more accurate diagnosis and a more customized, more effective treatment plan.
ICAT technology can be used for checking the condition of your wisdom teeth and diagnosing impacted wisdom teeth.
experiences, as laser treatments are oftentimes more convenient and cost effective.
Laser Dentistry
The word "laser" is an acronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation." It is a device that produces a thin, focused beam of light.
The focused beam is used to stimulate and enhance bleaching agents for teeth whitening.
It also acts as a cutting device, providing dentists with precision and control when performing a procedure on dental tissues.
Depending on what is to be treated, we use either hard tissue lasers or soft tissue lasers. These two devices emit different wavelengths, which are suitable for the kind of tissue to be treated.
Lasers cause a reaction when they touch tissue, making it easy to remove or reshape the tissue. It is used to cut gum tissue in order to completely uncover wisdom teeth that are impacted.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure
 When you come in for a wisdom teeth removal appointment, one of our surgeons will conduct a pre-exam to determine the exact nature of your impacted wisdom teeth.
They will discuss sedation options with you to ensure you have a comfortable experience during the entire stay.
On the day of the procedure, your surgeon will administer local anesthesia to numb the extraction site.
Different Types of Tooth Extractions
A simple tooth extraction is one that can be done with minimal problems. Our dentists remove your visible tooth with forceps after loosening it.
Once you are placed under anesthesia, the tooth is removed, and then gauze is placed on the gap to prevent any bleeding.
A wisdom tooth removal is considered a surgical extraction.
Surgical tooth extractions are done by one of our oral surgeons and are slightly more complicated than a simple procedure.
We make an incision in your mouth and remove the tooth from the jawbone. This procedure requires more time and more anesthesia, as you will need to be unconscious to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure.
By making small incisions around the impacted teeth, your surgeon will try to widen the access to them.
Once they are visible, your surgeon will carefully loosen them before pulling them out of their sockets.
The extraction site will then be cleaned and stitches will be placed if necessary. In most cases, soluble stitches will be used so they will fall out on their own in a few days.
Aftercare and Recovery From Wisdom Tooth Surgery
You can expect some mild discomfort, pain, and bleeding after the surgery.
You will be given instructions for taking care of the wound and how to ease the side-effects.
For 24 hours after the surgery, you should avoid certain activities, including rinsing your mouth, smoking, drinking alcohol, or participating in strenuous tasks.
Your dentist may place gauze to cover the site of extraction and ask you to press on it with your teeth. This will stop the bleeding and allow a blood clot to form in the tooth socket.
Use an ice pack to get some relief from pain and swelling but if it becomes unbearable, your surgeon will write you a prescription.
Do You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Tooth extractions are a common dental procedure that many people have to undergo for a number of reasons. If you are dealing with impacted wisdom teeth, call Singing River Dentistry in Florence, AL and we can help you. Give us a call at 256-712-3549.
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