Maintaining a Healthy,
Uncrowded Smile
Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Glenpool, OK
For many people, having their wisdom teeth removed is a rite of passage. Of course, any procedure that involves taking out teeth can become a source of anxiety, no matter how common it is! Thankfully, our team at 918 Dentist can help you or your teen get rid of these problem teeth as quickly and comfortably as possible. Contact us today if you think that you or your loved one might need a wisdom tooth extraction in Glenpool, OK or the greater Tulsa area.
Why Choose 918 Dentist of Glenpool
for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
What Are the Wisdom Teeth?
The wisdom teeth are also known as the third molars, and they usually erupt between the ages of 17-22. The reason for their name is that the person should be “wiser” at this point in their life compared to when their other teeth came in.
For our ancient ancestors, whose diet mostly consisted of very tough and uncooked foods, an extra set of molars was vital. This was because the others would often become worn down or broken by the late teens or early twenties. But, thanks to advancements in both dental care and cooking, these teeth are largely unnecessary, which is why they tend to cause nothing but problems when they come in.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth
Need to Be Removed?
By the time your wisdom teeth are ready to emerge from your gums, there often isn’t enough space left in your mouth for them to erupt properly. As a result, you could suffer from a painful impaction (where the teeth are stuck), or your other teeth could become overcrowded or infected. For this reason, our dentists will often recommend having wisdom teeth removed as early as possible, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure the procedure is painless and stress-free.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth
Need to Be Removed?
By the time your wisdom teeth are ready to emerge from your gums, there often isn’t enough space left in your mouth for them to erupt properly. As a result, you could suffer from a painful impaction (where the teeth are stuck), or your other teeth could become overcrowded or infected. For this reason, our dentists will often recommend having wisdom teeth removed as early as possible, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure the procedure is painless and stress-free.
What to Expect from a
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
A wisdom tooth extraction is a minor surgical procedure, so a patient will receive plenty of local anesthetic to ensure they remain comfortable in the chair. We also have sedation options available for particularly nervous patients!
Typically, a small incision will be made in the gum tissue near the wisdom teeth, and this will allow the dentist to access them. Some bone tissue might have to be removed as well, and the teeth may be broken up into smaller pieces to make the extraction easier and less invasive.
Recovering from a Wisdom
Tooth Extraction
Following a wisdom tooth extraction, a little soreness and swelling around the treatment site(s) are common, as is some bleeding. Make sure to change out your dressings every few hours and take any pain medication as recommended by your dentist.
In the first 24 hours after the procedure, a patient should avoid physical activity, spitting, rinsing, smoking, or drinking through a straw, as these can interfere with the formation of a clot over the treatment area(s).
For the first week or so, a patient should stick to a soft food diet consisting of items that don’t require a lot of chewing (soup, pudding, hardboiled eggs, etc.). We recommend stocking up on these foods before your procedure so you don’t have to go to the store afterward!
Recovering from a Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Following a wisdom tooth extraction, a little soreness and swelling around the treatment site(s) are common, as is some bleeding. Make sure to change out your dressings every few hours and take any pain medication as recommended by your dentist.
In the first 24 hours after the procedure, a patient should avoid physical activity, spitting, rinsing, smoking, or drinking through a straw, as these can interfere with the formation of a clot over the treatment area(s).
For the first week or so, a patient should stick to a soft food diet consisting of items that don’t require a lot of chewing (soup, pudding, hardboiled eggs, etc.). We recommend stocking up on these foods before your procedure so you don’t have to go to the store afterward!
Sedation Dentistry for Wisdom Teeth Removal in the Tulsa Area:
What You Need to Know
Wisdom teeth removal is a common dental procedure that many people undergo, especially in their late teens or early twenties. For some, the experience can be nerve-wracking, especially if the wisdom teeth are impacted or the thought of oral surgery causes anxiety. Thankfully, sedation dentistry offers a safe and effective solution for patients who want a more comfortable experience while getting their wisdom teeth pulled. Understanding the sedation options available and the associated costs can help you prepare for your procedure and ensure a smooth, stress-free recovery.
Wisdom Tooth
Extraction FAQs
While the page above has a lot of great information about wisdom teeth extractions, it’s reasonable to think that you still might have questions. We’ve responded to some of the most popular ones we receive about the procedure below. Want to know more about something we haven’t covered here? If so, just give us a call, and we’ll provide all the information you need!
Do my wisdom teeth have to be extracted no matter what?
It is a myth that wisdom teeth have to be extracted for every single person. Sometimes, they come in and don’t cause any problems at all. It is relatively rare, but if we see that your wisdom teeth aren’t creating any issues and likely won’t in the future, we’ll just leave them alone!
Will I be awake throughout my wisdom tooth extraction?
Full mouth reconstructions are ideal for people who have withstood severe damage to the look, feel, and function of their smile. This can come from traumatic injury, extremely advanced oral health problems, or a confluence of several issues coming together.
Ultimately, the decision as to what kind of treatment you’ll need, and whether a full mouth reconstruction is the right move for you, will be established at your consultation.
When should someone get their wisdom teeth removed?
In most cases, the sooner the better. The best approach is for a patient to regularly attend checkups with us, during which we’ll keep an eye on their wisdom teeth and take X-rays. This way, as soon as an issue pops up, or if it looks like the teeth will start causing problems soon, we can remove them before they lead to damage or pain. Delaying a wisdom tooth extraction typically only makes things more complicated and uncomfortable!
Will People Be Able to Tell That I Had a Full Mouth Reconstruction?
The restorative and cosmetic dental care we practice is informed by the latest developments and oral medicine and will be meticulously customized to fit your smile. While some treatments naturally produce more dramatic results than others—veneers, for example, make a much bigger impact than teeth whitening—we aim for realism in everything that we do. For this reason, we work hard to make your results as hard to detect as possible.
That said, if you’re especially concerned about your smile looking “fake,” bring this up at your consultation. We’ll take this into consideration when selecting the treatments you need.
Do my wisdom teeth have to be extracted no matter what?
It is a myth that wisdom teeth have to be extracted for every single person. Sometimes, they come in and don’t cause any problems at all. It is relatively rare, but if we see that your wisdom teeth aren’t creating any issues and likely won’t in the future, we’ll just leave them alone!
Do my wisdom teeth have to be extracted no matter what?
Yes, as we don’t give a patient general anesthesia for a wisdom tooth extraction. In addition to thoroughly numbing the patient, we also offer multiple sedation options to ensure they remain fully relaxed throughout the entire process. With oral conscious sedation and IV sedation, the patient may feel calm enough that they actually doze off, but they can usually be easily awakened in this scenario.
When should someone get their wisdom teeth removed?
In most cases, the sooner the better. The best approach is for a patient to regularly attend checkups with us, during which we’ll keep an eye on their wisdom teeth and take X-rays. This way, as soon as an issue pops up, or if it looks like the teeth will start causing problems soon, we can remove them before they lead to damage or pain. Delaying a wisdom tooth extraction typically only makes things more complicated and uncomfortable!
Are wisdom tooth extractions covered by dental insurance?
Most dental insurance plans will cover at least part of the cost of a wisdom tooth extraction if it is medically necessary (which it almost always is). The exact percentage can vary from plan to plan, but we can discuss these details with a patient ahead of their procedure. If they don’t have insurance, we can help them save if they sign up for our 918 Dentist Loyalty Plan, which you can learn more about here.