Wisdom Teeth Removal in Lehi

The wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to emerge, typically during our teens and early twenties. They are located at the very back of the jaw, these teeth can sometimes become trapped underneath the gum line due to a lack of space. When this happens, it can affect your oral health and misalign the other teeth. Because of that, it is important to take action and extract them to avoid pain, infection, and future complications.

The signs indicating that you may need to remove your wisdom teeth include pain, discomfort, infection, gum disease, and your teeth shifting to make space for the wisdom teeth to emerge. This is why it’s crucial to ensure that the wisdom teeth are emerging properly, so they do not cause any complications in the future.

For the best experience, it is recommended to remove wisdom teeth in the late teens and early twenties. During this period, the roots of the wisdom teeth have not fully developed, which can facilitate the extraction procedure and reduce the recovery time needed to heal.

The procedure to remove a wisdom tooth involves making an incision in the gum to access the tooth. In some complicated cases, the surgeon may need to cut the tooth into small pieces to facilitate removing it. Following the extraction, the surgeon will clean the area, use dissolvable stitches to seal the gums, and help the healing process.

Depending on the complexity of the procedure, physical health, and individual needs, the surgeon will recommend the most suitable type of anesthesia to ensure you have the best experience. The options the surgeon may use for the procedure include general anesthesia, sedation, and local anesthesia. After the procedure, medication will be prescribed to help manage discomfort and help in the healing process.

Depending on the complexity of the procedure, you may experience swelling, bruising, and mild pain. All of this should be temporary and go away within a few days. It is important to follow step by step the instructions provided to help with the recovery process. These can include taking the medication prescribed, putting ice packs on the swollen areas, eating soft foods, resting, and avoiding physical activities for a few days.

The recovery process can depend on how complex the procedure is and varies from person to person. Most people can return to their normal activities within a few days after the procedure. However, not feeling sore and swelling could take up to two weeks. Following the instructions provided to help with the healing process, such as eating soft foods, resting, taking the medication prescribed, and putting ice packs on the swollen areas, will determine how quickly you may heal.

There can be risks at any point during a surgical procedure. The risks during the removal of the wisdom teeth can include damage to the nerve, infection, dry socket, and impacting other teeth in your jaw. Although these risks are rare, it is crucial to seek a professional dentist with experience to minimize these risks.

This will depend on the type of anesthesia chosen. For those preferring not to be conscious or feel anything during the procedure, sedation anesthesia is the most suitable option. This method is often used in complex cases or for patients who are very anxious about the surgery. Another common option is local anesthesia, where only the area around the wisdom teeth is numbed. You will be fully awake and might feel some pressure and discomfort but no pain. The surgeon will go over each method, and the decision will be based on your specific needs, health, and comfort.

To help the process of healing after the procedure, it is crucial to follow the instructions given to you. These instructions may include eating soft foods, putting ice packs on the swollen areas, avoiding sucking through a straw, and resting for a few days. Maintaining good oral hygiene is also important, be sure to rinse and wash your mouth carefully to prevent infection.