Toothaches and dental emergencies rarely crop up at a convenient time. It can also be difficult to know if the pain is related to a cavity or something more serious such as an impacted wisdom tooth that requires tooth extraction. Here’s our quick guide on wisdom tooth extraction in Rochester.
Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out For
If you’re experiencing pain at the back of the jaw or in your gums, this could signify that you may have wisdom teeth trying to break through. Most patients don’t have enough room in their mouths to support another tooth.
This causes them to protrude in a misaligned fashion and put undue pressure on the other teeth and surrounding gums. If left untreated, they can cause severe pain and do far more harm than good.
Some wisdom teeth never break the surface due to being horizontal. If they do not break through the gums at all, this is when they become impacted. Most impacted wisdom teeth require removal.
Potential signs that you may be experiencing an impacted wisdom tooth include, but are not restricted to, the following symptoms:
- Stiff jaw
- Headaches
- Swollen or painful gums
- An infection
- Sensitivity
- Shifted teeth
You should seek emergency dental care for tooth removal as soon as possible.
Potential Complications of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
If you delay treatment or ignore the signs of an impacted wisdom tooth, not only is the pain acute, but it can also be long-term. These new teeth are in tough-to-reach places, making them difficult to clean. This increases the risk of decay and bacterial infections.
Your teeth can become misaligned or even cracked due to the pressure from new protrusions. You may eventually require braces to restore order and cleanliness.
You may sustain damage to your gums or develop periodontal disease due to untreated, impacted wisdom teeth. It’s also not uncommon to develop cysts near the crown, which can cause even more pain and increase the chances of infection.
What To Expect During Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Rochester
If your wisdom teeth have broken through the surface, they can be removed with a simple extraction. If the tooth is impacted, it will require oral surgery under a local anesthetic.
During wisdom tooth extraction in Rochester, your oral surgeon will administer local anesthesia to numb the surrounding area around the tooth in just a few minutes. They will remove the tooth as gently as possible, sometimes in more than one piece. If the hole it leaves requires it, your oral surgeon may need to close the gap with a stitch or two.
At Dental Implants & Periodontal Health of Rochester, we work hard to ensure the process is as comfortable and painless as possible. Sedation via IV is also available. You may also be prescribed other pain medications for pain management after your surgery.
After Wisdom Tooth Removal
Getting an impacted wisdom tooth removed is a surgical procedure. There are a few homecare methods you can employ to help minimize your recovery time.
The expert team at Dental Implants & Periodontal Health recommends the following precautions after oral surgery:
- Slow down and rest
- Don’t touch the surgical site
- Clean carefully as instructed by your oral surgeon
- Apply an ice pack or cold compress to your cheeks in the first 48 hours after surgery
- Closely follow all post-operative instructions given to you
- Take all prescribed medications as directed
What To Expect
Your mouth, gums, and face may swell. This is a natural reaction to surgery and medical trauma. It’s not uncommon for swelling to get worse a few days after your procedure.
Make sure you stay hydrated but avoid using straws as sucking through them can dislodge the blood clots your gums need to heal.
If you’re prescribed pain medications, they can have side effects such as dizziness and nausea. Use with caution and under the direction of your oral surgeon.
The Premier Office For Wisdom Tooth Extraction In Rochester!
If you’re concerned that you may have an impacted wisdom tooth and require extraction, contact our offices right away! Our oral surgeon is a specialist in wisdom tooth extraction, and our entire team is ready to help you through the process. 585-685-2005
