Prevent Oral Health Issues With Early Removal of Third Molars
The doctors at Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center prevent oral health issues with early removal of third molars in Clovis, CA. Third molars, also known as wisdom teeth, are the final set of teeth that develop and grow into the dental arch. These teeth usually erupt around the ages of 17 and 25 but can develop earlier or later. Many times, these teeth do not have enough room to grow into their proper positions, which can result in complications such as impaction, dental crowding, shifting of teeth, and pain, among other issues. Routine dental exams well before the wisdom teeth have fully developed can help your dental care professional determine if these molars need to be removed.If your wisdom teeth need to be extracted, you may be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who specializes in the procedure. Early detection and removal of wisdom teeth are often recommended to prevent future oral health problems.
Common Reasons for Wisdom Teeth Be Removed
Most patients’ mouths don’t have the room to fit an extra set of molars. Wisdom teeth can cause issues if they are left in the mouth untreated. Most dental professionals recommend extracting wisdom teeth that are positioned poorly before the root structure develops. Early removal of wisdom teeth is often easier on the patient and prevents the following oral health issues from occurring:
- Impaction occurs when a tooth is positioned improperly and trapped beneath the gum, or only partially erupted. There is an increase of bacterial growth that can lead to infection.
- Infections can cause gum disease and tooth decay that can spread to healthy teeth and bone tissue.
- Cysts and tumors develop from untreated infection that can cause pain and permanent damage to healthy teeth and jaw bone.
- Damage to the adjacent teeth is a risk when wisdom teeth are left in an improper position to grow in sideways.
- Dental crowding can happen when wisdom teeth left in their improper position push adjacent teeth inward.
Fortunately, we are able to prevent all of these common dental issues with regular visits to have your wisdom teeth checked and evaluated. This gives your dental team the time and ability to step in and treat your specific dental issues and prevent major complications before they ever even occur.
When Is the Right Time To Have My Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Although wisdom teeth removal is usually recommended between the ages of 13 and 20, it is more important to consider the development of the teeth than the age of the patient. Sometimes wisdom teeth removal is necessary earlier or later than these ages. However, wisdom teeth removal during adolescence is usually easier on the patient because the teeth are smaller and therefore easier to remove.
If you are recommended for wisdom teeth removal, it is a good idea to allow yourself a few days to recover after your procedure. Many patients schedule their procedure around a break from work or school to allow adequate time to rest without major disruptions to their schedule.
About the Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure
At Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center, wisdom teeth removal is a common oral surgery procedure. Your wisdom teeth removal treatment will start with a consultation with your dentist or oral surgeon, at which time they will complete a thorough exam of your mouth, take 3D scans, and discuss your options for anesthesia. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are highly trained in anesthesia administration for patients of all ages. Their goal is to help you feel comfortable, informed, and safe.
The day of your surgery, anesthesia will be administered. Wisdom teeth that are partially or completely beneath the gums will be extracted by the surgeon lifting the gum tissue to reach the teeth. Sometimes, wisdom teeth need to be sectioned into smaller pieces. Your surgical sites will be closed with sutures after the teeth are removed, and you will rest until the anesthesia wears off.
It is important that you keep your surgical sites clean during the healing process. After 24 hours you should rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Eating soft foods and avoiding straws is recommended for a few days after surgery. Pain and swelling is common but can be managed with ice packs and ibuprofen. It is important to take the proper time to rest but most patients find they can return to their normal schedules and activities after just a few days.
We want to protect our patients' health even after leaving our office. To that end, we proudly offer stem cell banking services to use in future regenerative medicines and therapies. Watch the video to learn more!
Stem Cell Banking From Wisdom Teeth
Our practice is partnered with Stemodontics®, a leading stem cell banking service, to protect your future health. Wisdom teeth contain powerful stem cells, which your oral surgeon can harvest during a wisdom tooth removal procedure. Many stem cell therapies are in development to treat a range of conditions. By banking your stem cells, you are taking steps to take care of your future health. Ask your oral surgeon about how you can invest in your health by banking stem cells from wisdom teeth.
Types of Anesthesia
Our surgeons offer many options for anesthesia and sedation to ensure your comfort during treatment.
Hear From Wisdom Tooth Removal Patients
These patients can tell you about the firsthand experience undergoing wisdom tooth removal at our office.
Reviews From Our Wisdom Tooth Removal Patients
"The office was pretty helpful [in] telling me how the surgery was going to go and they were pretty straightforward. Dr. Huh worked with me very well. He was a very nice guy. The doctors explained everything to me and made sure I was comfortable. The procedure was pretty good. They told me what was going to happen and after it was good. I had a great experience here. I'll give Fresno Oral Surgery five stars."
"Hi, I'm Tony from Sanger. I came to Fresno Oral Surgery to get my wisdom teeth removed. When I first walked into this practice, everyone was really nice. My doctor was very great. They were very nice, asked me about my day, really cared. And I really appreciate that. My procedure went amazing. My recovery was less than two weeks, everything went very well. The WUWTA videos did educate me quite a bit. Very, very helpful. My overall experience with this practice was simply amazing. I highly recommend Fresno Oral Surgery."
"My description of the practice here at Fresno Oral Surgery is an environment that is very welcoming. From the moment I entered the door, the staff was friendly. By the time I got to the doctor, I was more at ease than I would have ever imagined. She is very compassionate and makes you connected immediately. Everything that was described in our consultation actually came through fruition, which was great. I can say that I not only had a good experience, I had a great experience, and I would highly recommend Fresno Oral Surgery."
"Walking into the building, you just get a nice, comfortable greeting from the front desk staff, and the atmosphere was very calm. It was just very comforting and welcoming. The doctors here are really friendly and they just put my mind at ease. They’re willing to answer any questions that you have. It was easy to walk into knowing that I was going to be safe and cared for during this procedure. The healing process went really well, and the doctors checked up on me to make sure that I was healing properly. I’m very happy to have had the surgery done here. Out of five stars, I would give Fresno Oral Surgery five."
"When I got here, it was super friendly. I felt super safe here, and I knew I was with really good people. The staff here, they were really nice to me. They brought me to where I needed to go to get my stuff done. Dr. Barnhart is really friendly. We've known her for a very long time and she's just the best person you can have to take out wisdom teeth for you. The procedure went really quick. After, I felt amazing. Overall, I had an amazing experience. For our friends and family in Fresno, Reedley, and Kerman, I definitely recommend coming here."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sleep on your side after wisdom teeth removal?
During your recovery, you will need to sleep on your back with your head propped up for 3–7 days. It is not recommended that you sleep on your side or on your stomach because it can add extra pressure to the area. It will also direct more blood to the area and increase swelling.
How long does jaw stiffness last after wisdom teeth removal?
After third molar removal, some jaw stiffness may occur with very limited jaw opening. This is more common with the removal of the lower wisdom teeth. Jaw stiffness may last for up to 3 weeks following surgery and will slowly release.
When can I stop worrying about dry sockets?
There is a risk of dry socket until you're fully healed, usually in 7 to 10 days. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot that forms in the tooth socket after your extraction becomes dislodged. Dry socket is no longer a risk once the site is healed.
What does dry socket feel like at first?
Signs and symptoms of dry socket may include: Severe pain within a few days after a tooth extraction. Partial or complete loss of the blood clot at the tooth extraction site, when you look in your mouth you may notice an empty-looking (dry) socket, or visible bone in the socket.
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