Wisdom Teeth Removal in Clovis, CA
Prevent Oral Health Issues With Early Removal of Third Molars
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Clovis, CA
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
"Well, it was recommended by my dentist to get oral surgery done here. Well, it was my last wisdom tooth to be removed, and he felt it needed to be removed because it had gotten a little bit of gingivitis and cavities and all that. I came in and waited in the waiting room, and I had selected beforehand to be put under nitrous oxide as well — I highly recommend that because you won't even care, and it makes it a lot more relaxing. Dr. Barnhart is a very nice person, very efficient in what she does. She was quick. I was out of there in maybe 10 minutes. To all my friends in Fresno and Kingsburg, CA, I highly recommend Fresno Oral Surgery."
"I was having some issues with my wisdom teeth for a while, so I had to have them removed. I was pretty nervous coming in, but everybody was very calm and welcoming and answered any and all questions that I had about the procedure. The staff was amazing. Dr. K was very warm and kind — very personable and answered any questions that I had about the procedure. I had an extremely good experience here, and if I ever had to have anything done again, I would definitely come here. I would give Fresno Oral Surgery five out of five stars, for sure. For my friends and family in Fresno and Dinuba, I would highly recommend Fresno Oral Surgery."
"I came to Fresno Oral Surgery because I was in need of having my wisdom teeth pulled out. To be honest, I wasn't having any pain or issues; my dentist felt that it would be a good idea to go ahead and get it taken care of now before it became a problem. Dr. Barnhart's office was very welcoming, so coming in for the procedure, I felt very comfortable. Dr. Barnhart was very personable. She sat down, eye level, next to me, answered all my questions. She said that since I was a nurse, she figured I'd have more questions than the usual person, so she took her time and was very kind and considerate as well. The recovery was very easy, and I was actually good to go the next day. I didn't have much pain at all. If I knew anyone around Fresno or Tulare, CA, that needed to have a similar procedure that I had done, I would definitely recommend Dr. Barnhart. I've actually recommended her already."
"I waited just a little too long to have my wisdom teeth out, and so I had one that opened up, and I figured it's about that time, and I had my wisdom teeth extracted. I was very nervous. The surgery went great. They took them out, and I left, and it happened literally that fast, and I have absolutely no complaints whatsoever about them; they did an amazing job. The staff here is amazing; from the front to the back, they made me feel very comfortable. It was a great experience with them. Dr. Kheradpir is amazing. I have had nothing but the best experiences with myself and feel so much better about the procedure. I had an amazing experience, and I'd give this office a five out of five stars — definitely."
"My procedure was based simply on the fact that I had a cracked tooth, and they could not fix it, and because it was on the wisdom tooth, for safety reasons, it was best to extract the tooth. Dr. Kheradpir was very, very informative, made me feel very, very comfortable, explained procedures to me, and did not, under any circumstances, put any kind of altering pressure to have a procedure done, one way or the other. He pretty much said, "This is what you need to do; when you're ready, we'll do it." I would say to someone else who needed this procedure of an extraction, come see this doctor because he is very, very good. To my friends in Fresno, Clovis, and Sanger, Fresno Oral Surgery is the place for you to be. "
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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