Procedures
Wisdom Teeth
By the age of 18, 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, canine, and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth (molar teeth) are used to grind food into a consistency suitable for swallowing.
The average person’s mouth only has room to comfortably hold about 28 teeth, which includes the first and second set of molars. As the third set of molars try to erupt, they can cause pain, infection or other pathologic conditions. These third molars are also known as the "wisdom teeth."
Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth are the last of your 32 teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they are aligned properly and the gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, most people do not have enough room in their mouth for their wisdom teeth and the teeth can grow sideways, only partially emerge from the gum, or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the teeth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain, and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom teeth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the impacted teeth usually resolves these problems.
Dr. Pennington recommends early removal to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.
Oral Examination
With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Dr. Pennington can evaluate the presence of and the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there may be future problems. Most teenagers should be evaluated for their wisdom teeth between age 15 and 17, by either their dentist, the orthodontist or the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient.
All surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Dr. Pennington has the necessary training, licenses and experience to recommend and provide the appropriate type of anesthesia for each individual patient.
Removal
In most cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is performed under local anesthesia and outpatient general anesthesia. Other anesthetic options include intravenous light sedation and nitrous oxide analgesia (“laughing gas”). At the consultation appointment, the anesthetic options, as well as the surgical risks (i.e., sensory nerve damage, sinus complications), will be discussed with you.
Once the teeth are removed, the gum is sutured over the socket or incision. You will have gauze placed in your mouth and you will need to bite on this for at least 45 minutes. You will rest in the office, under our supervision, until you are ready to be taken home.
Upon discharge from the office, your postoperative kit will include postoperative instructions, diet instructions, a prescription for pain medication and an appointment time for follow up. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 912-673-6545.
Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety that utilizes modern monitoring equipment and staff who are experienced in anesthesia techniques.