WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL
Are your wisdom teeth causing you problems, swelling, or pain? Dr. Alexander Ash and Oral Surgeon Dr. Ronald Wright specialize in wisdom tooth removal in Los Angeles, California. Along with their supportive staff, the doctors at Studio Dental Care will go to great lengths to make your visit relaxing, safe, and worry-free.
What you need to know is why, when and if wisdom teeth (or tooth) need removal and how to manage your post-operative care, so your wisdom tooth extraction recovery is fast and painless.
WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL
Are your wisdom teeth causing you problems, swelling, or pain? Dr. Alexander Ash and Oral Surgeon Dr. Ronald Wright specialize in wisdom tooth removal in Los Angeles, California. Along with their supportive staff, the doctors at Studio Dental Care will go to great lengths to make your visit relaxing, safe, and worry-free.
What you need to know is why, when and if wisdom teeth (or tooth) need removal and how to manage your post-operative care, so your wisdom tooth extraction recovery is fast and painless.
CLEANING
IS WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL NECESSARY?
It is important to speak to your dentist about your unique needs relating to wisdom teeth removal (also referred to as wisdom tooth extraction). Generally, dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth to avoid long-term problems of pain, infection, or tooth decay, but individual cases vary widely.
If your wisdom teeth are impacted and can’t erupt through the gum, they can cause damage to adjacent teeth because of their position. Healing time is much more predictable in younger people with stronger immune systems, which is why dentists recommend having wisdom teeth removed earlier in life to prevent infections and complications later down the line
HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL?
Speak with Dr. Alexander Ash and our Oral Surgeon Dr. Ronald Wright about any concerns or questions you may have. Inform them of any medications that may interfere with your procedure pre- or post-care. Our Doctors and dental team will let you know if you should continue or pause any medications prior to your dental surgery.
Wear loose clothing for your wisdom teeth removal procedure and discuss if you are allowed to eat or drink prior to your visit.
Be sure to bring any necessary paperwork, ID and insurance information. Pre-arrange your home transportation for after the procedure in case you are not able to drive or you are groggy from anesthesia.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL PROCESS?
Dr. Alexander Ash and Dr. Ronald Wright will assess your clinical needs and review all medical and dental history. They will recommend the safest and ideal procedure for wisdom teeth removal using advanced digital x-rays and CT Scans.
Before the surgery, you’ll be given medications that make the procedure more comfortable, which may include:
- Before the surgery, you’ll be given medications that make the procedure more comfortable, which may include:
- Sedation anesthesia also know as IV Sedation or Twilight Sedation, to reduce your level of consciousness
PROCESS
For patients who experience anxiety at the idea of dental surgery, they can rest assured knowing that they’ll be comfortably sedated with local or IV sedation (if desired) during the process, experience no discomfort and may even find the process enjoyable due to the pampering they’ll receive. And while the patient is comfortably sedated, our team of specialists will gently perform any needed extractions, and if a wisdom tooth happens to be impacted, a small incision will be made to access and remove the tooth.
STICHES AFTER WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL?
Sometimes, stitches may be necessary to help the gums heal after a removal procedure, but each case is different. After the procedure, we consult every patient on how to best handle stitches or sutures before going home. Sometimes they dissolve naturally or with gentle brushing in just a few days’ time. Other times, a doctor needs to remove the stitches at a postoperative follow up visit.
WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL RECOVERY
After wisdom tooth removal, most people experience temporary swelling and discomfort on the side of the face that just had the procedure. This swelling tends to be most severe during the first 48 hours, but then gradually decreases.
To reduce pain and swelling, apply ice or a cold compress to the area for a few minutes, several times a day. It may also help to eat soft, cold foods and consume cold drinks.
Many people experience other symptoms post-surgery, such as:
- Sensitivity in other teeth that can last a few weeks
- Minor bruising
- Oozing of blood from wound or socket
- Sore mouth for approximately a week
- Bad breath for a week or less
EXERCISE
EXERCISING AFTER ORAL SURGERY
You can normally do gentle activities, like walking, a few days after surgery. Talk to your dentist after the procedure is completed about when to start doing more strenuous or high-impact activities.
WHAT CAN I EAT AFTER WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL?
Immediately following wisdom tooth removal, you will only be able to eat soft foods and consume liquids. This is to prevent any complications, pain, and discomfort. Harder and crunchy foods should be avoided because they can get trapped in recovering wisdom teeth removal sites and dislodge blood clots that lead to severe pain and dry pocket formation.
If a blood clot dislodges before the wound site heals, underlying bone and nerves can become exposed, which is extremely painful. A dry socket requires emergency dental treatment.
Foods that are recommended are: soups and broths, mashed potatoes, mashed bananas, eggs, applesauce, smoothies, and salmon.
Foods that should be avoided until your dentist gives you the okay includes: spicy and acidic foods, hard and crunchy foods, and alcoholic beverages.
- ORAL SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
Usually the benefit of removing impacted or hard to reach wisdom teeth by far outweighs the risk of keeping them. Patients with removed wisdom teeth are less likely to end up with dental problems in their adult years and the procedure generally tends to improve the overall oral health. As such, it is more often than not a very good idea.
