Wisdom Teeth
Your safety and comfort is our priority
What is a Wisdom Tooth?
Wisdom Teeth, also known as third molars, are the teeth furthest back in our mouth. They erupt from ages 17-25 and are a natural element of our biology, but are now considered vestigial structures, i.e. not useful.
The reason why modern humans have wisdom teeth problems is because, over time, our jaws have been shrinking and no longer have space to accommodate them, causing overcrowding of teeth. Furthermore, they can grow in at weird orientations, causing issues such as impaction, or can be covered by gums or embedded into the jaw.
The secondary issue that arises when wisdom teeth grow in "improperly" is that they are hard to clean and damage surrounding teeth. Their orientation can create pockets of space that traps food particles and bacteria, leading to cavities, infection, sensitivity, bad breath, etc. When the wisdom tooth is impacted, it can grind against surrounding teeth, removing significant amounts of tooth structure.
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Potential Complications
There is a nerve called the Inferior Dental Nerve that runs along the bottom of the jaw, responsible for feeling in the lower lip and chin. Occasionally, this nerve may be very close to the wisdom teeth, even wrapping around the roots of the tooth.
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There is a small chance for temporary numbness in the lower lip and chin after the tooth is extracted. However, it is a loss of feeling, not muscular function or appearances.
In high risk cases, a Coronectomy may be recommended to section and remove the crown of the tooth and leave the roots in place, mitigating the risk of damaging the nerve.
How are Complex Teeth Removed?
Anesthesia Options
We’ll help you choose the right anesthesia option based on your needs, level of anxiety, and medical history:
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Local Anesthesia: Numbs only the area around the teeth. You're awake but feel no pain.
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Nitrous Oxide ("Laughing Gas"): Used with local anesthesia to help you relax.
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IV Sedation: You are deeply relaxed and may not remember the procedure.
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Procedure
Complex teeth removal removal typically takes 15–60 minutes, depending on the number of wisdom teeth:
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Preparation: Once anesthesia is administered, the area is completely numb.
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Accessing the Tooth: A small incision may be made in the gum. If the tooth is impacted, a portion of bone might be removed.
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Tooth Removal: The tooth may be extracted whole or sectioned into smaller pieces for easier removal.
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Stitches: Dissolvable stitches may be placed to help the area heal.
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