Wisdom Teeth Extraction – Savannah, GA

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Extracted?

Wisdom teeth may need to be taken out for several reasons, the most common being impaction or infection. Impaction is when the wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are blocked from coming in, whether it’s by the jawbone or other teeth. Sometimes these teeth become tilted underneath a flap of gum tissue. Particles of food and bacteria can then become trapped under the flap, which may result in swelling and an infection known as pericoronitis.

Sometimes third molars end up pushing against other teeth. This not only can cause serious pain, but may end up undoing previous orthodontic work. In this case, it’s important to get these problematic teeth removed as soon as possible by Dr. Fana, your trusted dentist in Savannah.

When Is a Good Time to Undergo the Procedure?

Most of the time, wisdom teeth start to erupt in your late teens and early twenties. Some people opt to have them preemptively taken out while still in high school to prevent problems like infection and impaction. Ultimately, Dr. Fana will have to take a look to determine whether yours need to be removed or not.

If they are causing problems and need to be extracted, it’s usually best to do so when you’re still young. This is because the tooth roots are not quite as developed yet. Younger people also heal much faster than older folks. As you get older, it may take more time to recover from tooth extraction.

What Is the Process Like?

Dr. Fana will first make sure you receive enough sedation to be completely soothed during your procedure. Then, he will create small incisions in the gum tissue to access the wisdom teeth. He may have to cut the tooth into several smaller pieces to effectively remove it. Next, he will stich up the wound and apply gauze to the area to prevent bleeding and allow a blood clot to begin forming. Follow Dr. Fana’s aftercare instructions to a T, and you should be good to go. If you choose any option other than strictly local anesthetic, you’ll need someone to drive you home after the procedure.

How to Care for Your Mouth Afterwards

Caring for your mouth after wisdom teeth extraction in Savannah is crucial. For the first day, you’ll need to keep pressure on the extraction sites by gently biting down on gauze. Dr. Fana will let you know how often the gauze will have to be replaced. Take prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications as needed. Be sure to stick to soft foods for the next couple of days. Gradually introduce harder and chewier foods into your diet as you heal. Applying a cold compress to your face can help with swelling and pain.

Perhaps the most important thing is to avoid dry socket. This is a painful condition where the blood clot forming over the wound becomes dislodged. If this happens, you’ll essentially have to start the healing process over. Avoiding dry socket is easy if you don’t spit too vigorously for a few days after your procedure. When you rinse your mouth out, simply open your mouth over the sink and let the rinse fall out. Also, avoid drinking through a straw at all costs for a couple of weeks. This suction can dislodge the blood clot. In addition, don’t smoke. Tobacco can seriously harm the healing process and cause dry socket.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs

Are you considering wisdom tooth extractions in Savannah? If so, you can trust our office for care – Dr. Fana knows his way around wisdom teeth! Still, perhaps you’d like to learn more about extractions first. Getting the right facts before treatment will settle whether it’s right for you. Well, we at Compass Dental can help with that, too: here are the answers to some oft-asked wisdom tooth questions. They’ll give you a sense of how extractions work. If you’d like extra details, just call us – we’ll happily explain.