Why Wisdom Tooth Extraction is Necessary

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Wisdom teeth, often called third molars, are the final four teeth that erupt into the mouth. Many people do not need wisdom teeth extraction, but that’s only true only if the wisdom tooth can emerge without issues. However, more times than not, there is not enough room for these four wisdom teeth to come into the correct position, and many times they don’t emerge in a way that allows for proper cleaning and hygiene maintenance.

If these malpositioned teeth are not removed, damage to the neighboring teeth can occur. In the most severe situations, impacted teeth can be the source of cysts and benign tumors of the jaw.

Do you currently have wisdom teeth that may need to be removed? To find out more information on wisdom teeth keep reading. Or, if you are ready to schedule a consultation, contact the professional staff at Hill Country Oral Surgery in Austin, TX today by calling (512) 327-7233.

When Should Wisdom Teeth be Removed?

There isn’t necessarily a universal answer since the timing for wisdom teeth removal is dependent on individual circumstances. However, timing can easily be determined with an oral examination and review of X-rays.

Generally speaking, for the average person, the age frame in which wisdom teeth are removed is between 15 and 20-years-old. At Hill Country Oral Surgery, our oral surgeons often advocate for the removal of these teeth before they are fully developed because the surgery can be performed more easily and with fewer risks and/or complications, ultimately resulting in a quicker and more pleasant recovery period.

Depending on the specific patient and their needs, some may require extraction at an even earlier age in order to prevent damage to the adjacent teeth.

How is Wisdom Tooth Surgery Performed?

At Hill Country Oral Surgery in Austin, TX, we treat each patient as an individual, meaning we will tailor our treatments to each and every patient’s individual needs. Further, we have a variety of options available from local anesthetics to IV sedation to make this entire procedure as comfortable as possible.

If you do choose to have sedation, our doctors have been fully trained by anesthesiologists in the hospital setting, and we will perform your wisdom tooth removal in a safe state-of-the-art facility. Most patients can have all of their wisdom teeth removed in a single surgical visit, thus alleviating the need for multiple procedures, anesthetics, and a long recovery time.

Does It Hurt When Wisdom Teeth Come In?

It will really all depend on the patient. Patients will experience some soreness and sensitivity when the teeth wisdom teeth are erupting, but this can be easily mitigated with over-the-counter pain medication.

What Will My Recovery Be Like?

Because every patient is different, the recovery process will ultimately depend on the degree of difficulty of your extraction(s). For the average person, there will be at least three days of downtime. During this downtime period, you will be able to use prescription medication to help with any pain and/or discomfort experienced during post-treatment.

Following the surgery, it is common for minor soreness to occur for a week or so, but this soreness should not limit your daily activities. Patients who have a complicated wisdom tooth extraction may require a greater length of recovery time. After a patient’s initial consultation and evaluation, the staff at Hill Country Oral Surgery will be able to review specific risks you may experience, as well as your individual healing time.

Do My Wisdom Teeth Have to Be Removed?

No, as stated above, a patient’s wisdom teeth do not always have to be removed. If wisdom teeth are healthy and properly fit into the mouth, then they usually do not have to be removed or extracted. More so, if the wisdom teeth have not erupted, and are in a good position, they can generally be left where they are located.

If the wisdom tooth causes repeated symptoms or shows signs of disease, then wisdom tooth extraction is recommended. Essentially, the condition of the tooth will determine whether or not these teeth will need to be removed.

For What Reasons are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Depending on the individual, and his or her specific condition, there are a variety of reasons as to why someone’s wisdom teeth need to be removed:

  • Wisdom teeth can be difficult to properly clean, resulting in tooth decay, disease, and infections
  • Tooth crowding can cause the other teeth in the mouth to become misaligned and shifted
  • Impacted wisdom teeth can cause both cysts and tumors to develop throughout the mouth

During the Procedure, What Type of Medications Are Used?

During the extraction process, local anesthesia (i.e. Novocaine) is generally administered to block any discomfort or pain. However, if a patient suffers from anxiety, then a sedative drug (i.e. Valium) may be administered. Patients who are sedated for the procedure will obviously be more relaxed.

How Are Medications Administered?

More times than not, both sedative and anesthetic medications are given to a patient through an IV. We want you to feel comfortable, relaxed, and pain-free throughout the procedure.

How Long Does the Local Anesthesia Last?

The local anesthesia usually lasts between two and six hours. This duration will depend on the amount of local anesthesia that is given to you pre-treatment. The area of the mouth that is given the anesthesia (i.e. the upper or lower jaw) may also affect how long it lasts.

How Long Does the Procedure Take to Complete?

Most times, the procedure to remove wisdom teeth takes less than one hour to perform. However, this is just a general timeframe. It will depend on each individual patient and how many teeth are being extracted.

Is the Procedure Painful?

During the actual procedure, the patient should not feel any pain. A patient is more likely to feel pain and/or discomfort post-treatment. The doctor will prescribe medication to help soothe the patient during the recovery process.

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How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed, Exactly?

The specific type of wisdom teeth removal will be determined by a variety of factors, including tooth position, root shape, and how much room is in the mouth. During your initial consultation and examination with the doctor, you will get a better understanding of how your wisdom teeth will need to be removed and whether there are vital structures like nerves or sinuses nearby.

How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost in Austin, TX?

The Hill Country Oral Surgery team will discuss treatment costs during your initial consultation. We have a dedicated insurance coordinator to help you through this process.  In some cases, the insurance provider may cover all or a portion of the procedure. It is difficult to estimate the price of treatment for each patient, as each patient is different. For example, the number of teeth being extracted will alter the price of the procedure, as well as the type of anesthesia given to the patient.

About Hill County Oral Surgery

At Hill County Oral Surgery, we believe everyone is designed to smile. Whether you are missing teeth, contemplating dental implants, or need your wisdom teeth removed, we are here to help. Not only does each and every patient deserve to smile, but we want to ensure patients also feel good and confident about their smiles.

Our professional staff proudly serves the residents of Austin, TX, as well as its surrounding areas. All of our surgeons have extensive training, ranging from tooth extraction to total oral and facial reconstruction. Better yet, we believe that quality starts with caring. We care about our patients, and we are committed to giving only the best service possible.

Testimonials

Take a look at some of our patient testimonials, and see how we have successfully changed other people’s smiles.

“Excellent! Helpful, friendly, and attentive staff! Paperwork is online and easy to fill out and submit beforehand. Dr. Cavaretta is thorough, professional, and friendly! The office is well-equipped with the latest technology. Exam rooms are comfortable. I highly recommend Hill County Oral Surgery!” – Satisfied Patient

“I was scared to death to have my wisdom teeth removed, but Dr. Caveretta made it a very seamless process before the surgery (by answering all of my questions), during the surgery (be ensuring that I was as comfortable as possible, and working slowly but meticulously), and after the surgery, by making himself accessible to me with any follow-up questions I had. I’ve never even had a dentist that I could call directly, let alone on oral surgeon. He went above and beyond, and that’s what makes him the only person I would ever recommend for any type of oral surgery. The staff is friendly, and remembers you by name when you come into the office, the paperwork is minimal, and they accept a wide variety of payment methods. Hands down, the only place you should be going if you have a tooth problem!” – Satisfied Patient

“I had eight teeth removed from my mouth a few weeks ago, including four impacted wisdom teeth. Dr. Cavaretta has to be one of the most experienced/talented oral surgeons in this industry. I went in expecting a good amount of pain due to the amount of trauma that was going to be caused in my mouth. Instead, I experienced zero pain. Everything about my experience with Hill Country Oral Surgery was fantastic!” – Satisfied Patient

Our primary goal at Hill Country Oral Surgery is to make this as comfortable a process as possible.

Schedule Your Consultation

Schedule a consultation today to determine your best choices. During a consultation, patients meet with their surgeon and the staff to discuss procedure options in more detail. Patients may ask questions about desired outcomes as well as view before and after photos of similar procedures.

Call us at 512-327-7233 or
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