Wisdom Teeth

If you frequently experience swollen gums or pain when chewing, your wisdom teeth may be emerging. Fortunately, Kenneth Tran, DDS, and Nikki Korloo, DDS, with the experienced dental team, can effectively remove wisdom teeth and relieve your discomfort at Tropical Dental Care in Tomball, Texas. The team performs most extractions in-house, eliminating the hassle of specialist referrals. Call the practice today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last molars in your mouth to emerge. They grow in between ages 17 and 21 when your jawbone is already fully developed. At that point, your mouth may not have enough space to support four extra teeth — two in your upper jaw and two in your lower jaw. 

Wisdom teeth are not necessary to chew or speak. If they cause you discomfort or oral health problems, the Tropical Dental Care team may recommend removing them altogether.

When should I consider wisdom teeth removal?

Wisdom teeth can cause several complications if they don’t emerge properly, such as:

Complete impaction

Impacted wisdom teeth occur when the tooth becomes trapped beneath the gum line. Over time, the tooth can even crack, increasing your risk of infection and decay.

Partial impaction

Partial impaction causes wisdom teeth to partly break through the gum line, while the other portion remains trapped beneath.

Crowding

When your jaw doesn’t have enough room to support wisdom teeth, they can crowd your nearby teeth, causing pain and damage.

There are many signs that impacted or crowded wisdom teeth are damaging your smile, including:

• Pain when chewing
• Facial swelling
• Tender gums
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck and jaw
• Ear pain

Wisdom teeth can also cause chronic headaches when they don’t emerge properly. A proper dental exam is essential to protect your oral health.

What does wisdom teeth removal involve?

Before your oral surgery procedure, the team administers an anesthetic to ensure your comfort. They may recommend oral or intravenous (IV) sedation, which will diminish your consciousness during the procedure. It’s important to schedule a ride home, as you can’t drive after sedation.

Next, the team makes an incision in your gums to extract the tooth. If the tooth is fractured, they may remove it in small pieces. The team cleans and disinfects the tooth chamber to prevent infection after your extraction. Finally, they suture your incision and pack your mouth with gauze to form a blood clot. 

Before you leave, the team provides you with detailed aftercare instructions. Common aftercare tips include:

• Changing your gauze every one to two hours
• Eating soft foods
• Taking anti-inflammatory pain medications
• Carefully rinsing your mouth out
• Avoiding sucking on a straw

Most people recover from wisdom teeth removal surgery within one to two weeks of their procedure.

Call Tropical Dental Care today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about wisdom teeth removal.