Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom Teeth Removal In Richmond, Virginia

By the age of eighteen, the average adult has 32 teeth, 16 teeth on the top and 16 teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canines and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth or molar teeth are used to grind food up into a consistency suitable for swallowing.

Wisdom Teeth Presentation

To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth are discussed.

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The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These four other teeth are your third molars, also known as "wisdom teeth."

Why Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and the surrounding gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.

These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. Impacted or even abnormally erupted wisdom teeth can cause significant problems with the teeth in front of them (second molars), this includes decay or bone loss resulting in loss of the second molars. The most serious problem occurs when a tumor or cyst forms around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy neighboring teeth. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Consultation

The removal of wisdom teeth is a serious procedure; therefore we recommend a consultation before surgery. With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, your surgeon can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there may be present or future problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Our surgeons have the training, license, and experience to provide various types of anesthesia. In most cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is performed under intravenous or general anesthesia, however, in some cases it may be performed under local anesthesia or in conjunction with laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia). These options as well as the surgical risks (i.e. sensory nerve damage, sinus complications) will be discussed with you at the consultation appointment. In addition, you may also receive prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medicine.

Wisdom Tooth Removal Overview

For a brief narrated overview of the wisdom tooth removal process, please click the image on the right. It will launch our flash educational MiniModule in a separate window that may answer some of your questions about wisdom teeth.

Having trouble? Please make sure you have version 7 of the Flash browser plugin in order to correctly view this presentation. This software is available as a free download.

Removal

Once the teeth are removed, the gum is sutured. To help control bleeding, bite down on the gauze placed in your mouth. You will rest under our supervision in the recovery room until you are ready to be taken home. Upon discharge, your post-operative kit will include postoperative instructions, a one week follow-up appointment to assure that the area is healing properly and, if not received at the consultation appointment, a prescription for pain medication and antibiotics. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us.

Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety utilizing modern monitoring equipment and staff that are experienced in anesthesia techniques.