There are many oral health benefits to wisdom tooth removal at our Colleyville, TX clinic. If you are experiencing jaw pain or teeth crowding, the straightforward surgery can alleviate a wide range of dental problems. Studies show that patients have better outcomes when they remove their wisdom teeth before complications arise.
If you have questions about an upcoming procedure with Dr. Chris Tye, don’t hesitate to reach out to our practice. Patient care is Dr. Tye’s number one priority; we want to make sure you are comfortable and informed during your time at Texas Oral Surgery Specialists. Call us today at 817-552-3223.
Reasons A Patient May Need Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are third molars that emerge between the ages of 18 and 24 in most adults. The teeth are considered to be nonessential due to the fact that they do not contribute significantly to oral function. During your oral examination, Dr. Tye will evaluate the health of the wisdom teeth to determine if they may require removal. Possible dental problems may include:
- Wisdom tooth impaction: For some patients, the third molars can become trapped (impacted) while they try to emerge. If the tooth partially emerges, the wisdom tooth is described as partially impacted. Wisdom teeth that cannot emerge at all are fully impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth often cause discomfort or pain. They can also damage other teeth. Even if there are no severe complications associated with an impacted tooth, because they are hard to clean, they may be vulnerable to decay and gum disease.
- Abscess: If you are experiencing severe pain near your third molars, you may have an advanced infection known as an abscess. An abscessed molar has an infection within its pulp. The presence of a tooth abscess indicates that the tooth has lost the ability to fight off the bacterial infection. Tooth removal is the only way to restore oral health in these situations.
- Damage to neighboring teeth: As wisdom teeth emerge, they often push against the neighboring second molars. This can cause a host of potential problems, ranging from teeth crowding to infections and physical damage to your teeth.
- Cysts: A cyst is a fluid-filled sac within the jawbone that can form beneath wisdom teeth. Cysts can damage the jawbone, teeth, and nerves.
- Decay: Partially impacted third molars are at higher risk for cavities. One reason for this is because wisdom teeth are harder to clean. Food and bacteria can easily become trapped between the gums and a partially erupted wisdom tooth.
- Gum disease: The same factors that lead to increased risk of decay can cause the gum tissue around the third molars to become infected. Left untreated, gum disease can spread, compromising the health of neighboring teeth and jawbone.
If you do undergo wisdom tooth extraction at our Colleyville office, the outpatient surgery is performed under fast-acting anesthesia. You will feel deeply relaxed throughout the procedure.
After the surgery, you will need to modify your diet for a few days to avoid inflaming your gums. Prescription medications may be provided as needed.
Contact Your Colleyville, TX Oral Surgeon
Many of our patients report that their extractions were surprisingly easy, and their recoveries went faster than they expected. For more information and to book your consultation with Dr. Tye, call us at 817-552-3223.