Minimal Discomfort Wisdom Tooth Removal in Colleyville, TX


What are Wisdom Teeth?

wisdom teeth removal

Between the ages of 18 and 24, most young adults experience the growth of  third molars called wisdom teeth. This last set of molars can be unpredictable in terms of their positioning, their development, and their usefulness. In fact, they are often considered to be nonessential and do not contribute to more efficient oral function. Impacted Wisdom Teeth can cause a variety of dental issues. At Texas Oral Surgery Specialists in Colleyville, TX, we typically recommend wisdom tooth removal if these molars are not in good health.

With an oral examination and x-rays of the teeth and jaws, Dr. Chris L. Tye, MD, DDS can evaluate the health of the wisdom teeth to determine if they will be problematic. Studies show that patients have better outcomes when they receive early removal of wisdom teeth, rather than when they wait for a complication to arise.

A properly aligned wisdom tooth surrounded by healthy gum tissue does not generally require surgical attention. Unfortunately, the third molars tend to grow in sideways, remaining partially or completely trapped under the gum and bone, known as impacted wisdom teeth.  Dr. Tye is honest and conservative in  his approach. He will never recommend wisdom tooth removal if he believes it to be unnecessary or detrimental to your overall wellness.

When Are Wisdom Teeth a Problem?

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom Teeth Can Cause Problems

The incorrect position of impacted wisdom teeth can harm your oral health and the health of the neighboring teeth. As bacteria are allowed to invade the space between the tooth and the gums, you may experience a variety of Wisdom Teeth symptoms including swelling, tightness, and/or pain. This chronic inflammation and infection will become virtually impossible to control with brushing, flossing, or even antibiotics.

The pressure from a malpositioned wisdom tooth is likely to damage the neighboring teeth by causing crowding or cavities. A more serious problem can occur if a tumor or cyst develops as a result of the impacted tooth. This can cause severe destruction of your jawbone and your otherwise healthy teeth.  Crowding may arise from impacted wisdom teeth, and your Orthodontist may recommend the removal of your third molars to prevent future tooth crowding. Extracting the impacted wisdom teeth as soon as possible can resolve these complications and prevent future problems.

What Should I Expect?

Wisdom tooth extraction is an outpatient surgery. When planning your treatment, Dr. Tye will consider both pain management and the management of dental anxiety. Typically, we will perform the procedure under fast-acting anesthesia to increase your comfort. Though you will not usually be fully sedated, you will feel deeply relaxed and will mostly be unaware of what is going on around you. The Oral Surgeons at TXOSS  have the training, compassion, and expertise to provide you with the form of anesthesia that is safest and most effective for you.

The extraction itself will vary, based on your needs and the positions of your molars. If you are struggling with one or more impacted teeth, our Surgeons will likely need to remove some of the bone or gum tissue that is covering the molar. Fortunately, his skill, combined with the anesthesia, will result in very little discomfort. Afterward, you will need to modify your diet for a few days to avoid inflaming your gums. The TXOSS Oral Surgeons can also prescribe medications and provide additional care, as required. Though you will need to rest for a day or two, many patients report that their wisdom tooth extractions were surprisingly easy and their recoveries much quicker than they expected.

We look forward to meeting with you to discuss all of your oral surgery needs, including wisdom teeth extraction.

For additional procedure information check out the TXOSS Blog: Wisdom Teeth

The Survival Guide to Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

wisdom-tooth-removal-Colleyville-TXMost people have their wisdom teeth removed when they’re young because once patients reach their 30s or 40s the procedure can be more difficult with a longer recovery time.

Not everyone develops the third set of molars, but the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons reports about 90 percent of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth, meaning there’s not enough space for it to break through the gums.

The average person has four wisdom teeth, although it’s possible to have more, says J. David Johnson, an oral surgeon in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He removes up to 1,500 wisdom teeth a year and once treated a patient with nine. Read full article.