Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Are your wisdom teeth just starting to come in? Have they begun pressing against neighboring teeth causing you pain and discomfort? Here at North Texas Dental Surgery we have helped many people regain comfort again after removing wisdom teeth that were impacted or causing problems. Our surgeon has many years of experience helping patients with both simple wisdom teeth extractions and more complex cases.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that grow in between the ages of 17 and 24. They are called wisdom teeth because they don’t grow or develop until we are older. Wisdom tooth removal may be a necessary operation for those who do not have enough room in their mouths for a third set of molars to come through properly. Dentists often recommend having wisdom teeth removed before they create serious problems such as infection or impaction which will require a more complicated procedure. That is why it is important to have this operation performed as soon as possible.
What is the Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery?
Price for having wisdom teeth removed can vary depending upon if you have insurance or not and how complicated a case you have. For removals that are considered medically necessary, dental insurance may cover up to half of the procedure cost. Many dental plans have an annual coverage cap of $1,000 to $1,500. If you do not have insurance, you can expect to pay up to $3,000 with an oral surgeon in the United States for extraction of all four wisdom teeth with IV Sedation.
Impacted Wisdom Tooth Removal
When wisdom teeth come in sideways, there is a great chance that your teeth will become impacted. When this happens, it can cause large amounts of pain and discomfort. The pain can also cause inflammation of the gums and in the sinuses, which can lead to headaches. Impacted teeth are also difficult to clean. Not being able to properly brush and floss means that food may get trapped between the teeth and start rapid dental cavities. If there is enough decay, this could lead to a serious infection which could prolong having your wisdom teeth removed and have additional costs.
When is the Best Time to See a Wisdom Tooth Removal Specialist?
The best time to have your wisdom teeth removed is before the roots have fully formed. Teeth grow from the top down, and the longer you have your wisdom teeth, the longer the roots are going to grow. When the roots are short, it allows for an easier extraction of the tooth. If the roots go all the way down into the jawbone, it will take a more involved procedure to remove them.
Recovery Period after Wisdom Teeth Removal
Now that your wisdom teeth have been removed, you may notice some slight aches or sensitivity to hot and cold. This is completely natural, and the sensitivity will subside over the next week. The recovery period after having your wisdom teeth removed should be about one week if there are no complicating factors. We will also give you instructions on how to care for your mouth while your mouth is healing. Eating a soft diet this first week is very important to prevent an infection from occurring. A list of food suggestions is:
– Yogurt
– Jell-O
– Pudding
– Mashed Potatoes
– Smoothies
– Soup
– Oatmeal
– Applesauce
It is also recommended that you eat food at room temperature or as close to as possible. If you eat food that is too warm, it could cause the blood clots to break down leading to dry socket. You may also burn the insides of your mouth if you have exposed sockets.
How Do Blood Clots Become Loose?
If you suck too hard on a straw or food while eating, it could cause the blood clot to come loose, prolonging the healing period for the wisdom tooth removal. It is also possible to loosen the blood clots if the patient swishes warm saltwater around too hard after the first couple of days of surgery.
What are Dry Sockets?
Dry sockets happen when a blood clot either did not form properly or had become dislodged from the site the wisdom tooth was removed from. They are called dry sockets because there is bone matter that is exposed which can become dried out and painful. To know if you have a dry socket or not, you should look at the area and check to see if the blood clot is still there. You may also feel a constant dull ache or pain in the area which would feel different from the soreness after wisdom tooth removal.
Contact our office for more information or to schedule an appointment. Our team has helped many people with wisdom teeth extraction and will make sure you are comfortable throughout the whole process. We will walk you through each step of the way to make sure all your questions are answered and that you are properly prepared before, during, and after the surgery. Call us now to consult with our team and we will schedule a date that is convenient for you to come in and speak with us.