Serving The Woodlands, TX And Surrounding Areas
9191 Pinecroft Dr Suite 180 The Woodlands, TX 77380
Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Wisdom Teeth Extractions in The Woodlands, TX
Overview
The third set of molars are referred to as “wisdom teeth”. Wisdom teeth usually come in between ages 17 and 25. If the wisdom teeth are not visible during this time, they can be viewed with X-rays.
Reasons to remove wisdom teeth are:
- They are impacted – this means that the teeth become trapped in the bone and never erupt, which can cause pain and in some cases, abscesses.
- They come in at the wrong angle – if wisdom teeth come in at the wrong angle, they can put pressure on other teeth and cause crooked teeth or change the bite.
- There is no room in the mouth – sometimes a patient’s jaw will not be large enough to accommodate an extra set of molars.
- There are cavities or gum disease – wisdom teeth are hard to clean because of their location far back in the mouth. This can make them susceptible to decay and periodontal disease.
What is the procedure?
If the wisdom teeth are impacted, a small incision is made in the gum. Bone will carefully be removed from around the tooth. The tooth will be separated from its root and removed in two pieces. The gum is then carefully sutured closed.
After Treatment
The sutures will usually dissolve in a few days. An icepack on the face can be used to reduce any swelling. Moist heat is helpful for a sore jaw as well. Gentle exercise of the jaw, slowly opening and closing it will aid in healing and alieve stiffness. Drink plenty of fluids and eat soft foods. Medication can be prescribed to ease pain and swelling – take as recommended.
It is important to remember to not drink through a straw, as sucking can loosen the clotting that helps the healing. Do not rinse harshly. Do not eat crunchy, hard or sticky foods. Smoking can severely slow the healing process and should be avoided.
Brushing and flossing should still be done regularly, just remember to take care around the treatment site.
Teeth Whitening for New Patients
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Business hours
Mon: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Tue: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Wed: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thur: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Fri: 8:00am - 12:00pm
Weekends: Closed
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