A wisdom tooth may need to be extracted to correct an existing issue or to prevent a potential issue. In some situations, wisdom teeth have the room necessary to emerge without causing a patient any issues or pain, in these situations, wisdom teeth do not require anymore attention than the rest of the teeth. There are however, certain situations that can occur which would require the removal of the wisdom teeth:

• The wisdom teeth can grow in at the wrong angle, causing pain and potential damage to other areas in the mouth and jaw.
• If the wisdom teeth only partially emerge, food particles can become trapped beneath the skin, causing an infection.
• Wisdom teeth can cause impaction, or damage to the other teeth resulting in a tooth infection.

Board-certified dentist, Dr. Todd McCracken, at Laser Smile Studio in Denton, TX can help assess your situation, take digital X-rays of your mouth, and determine if your wisdom teeth will need to be removed.  It is sometime necessary to be referred to an oral surgeon for surgical extractions, Dr. McCracken will make this determination after an exam and review of x-rays.  

For a simple wisdom tooth extraction, a local anesthetic is usually given to numb the gum before Dr. McCracken loosens and removes the full tooth from the jawbone. Dr. McCracken will carefully separate the tooth from the gum tissue and ligaments before the socket is cleaned and closed. For a surgical wisdom tooth extraction, a patient may be given local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. To remove the tooth, Dr. McCracken must surgically cut through the gums and bone. In some cases, the tooth will be cut into pieces for easier extraction. Once the tooth is removed, the socket will be cleaned and stitched closed.

After wisdom tooth extraction, a blood clot will usually form in the socket of the removed tooth, which should be kept clean and watched for signs of infection. Dr. McCracken may suggest over-counter pain medication for any discomfort after the procedure or the patient be prescribed painkillers. Patients will usually follow a soft food or liquid diet for at least one day after the wisdom tooth extraction. Patients should be careful brushing their teeth to help the socket heal. The gums and bone usually begin to heal 1 - 2 weeks after the wisdom tooth removal, but it may be up to 6 months before the mouth is fully healed.

If the wisdom tooth extraction is a dental necessity, most or part of the cost will usually be covered by dental insurance. The coverage may vary based on whether it is a simple or surgical extraction, so our office will confirm the patient's benefits and out-of-pocket cost. 

Whether you need your wisdom teeth removed or you need an emergency extraction after a trauma or injury, please contact Laser Smile Studio to learn more about your options. We can help you with simple or surgical extractions to improve your health.