Oral Surgery

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth removal is a very common procedure. In fact, most people need their wisdom teeth removed because there isn’t enough space in the mouth for them to come in properly. They can come in at an angle or even not fully emerge from the gums.

Wisdom teeth often damage the teeth right next to them if they are allowed to fully grow in. When wisdom teeth come in sideways it throws off your natural bite and creates an area where food gets caught, and can cause tooth decay and/or infection.

The most common problems associated with wisdom teeth misalignment include:

● Painful, swollen gums
● Crowded or damaged surrounding teeth
● Infection
● Possible damage to the nerves and jawbone

It’s normal for patients to have some anxiety about wisdom teeth removal, but rest assured, the dental team at Green Cove Dental will provide the safest, most comfortable extraction procedure possible.

What is the Extraction Procedure for Wisdom Teeth?

● Local, sedation or general anesthesia is administered based on consultation.
● An incision is made in the gum tissue.
● If the tooth has not grown in, the bone that blocks access to the tooth root is removed.
● The wisdom tooth is extracted.
● The site of the removed tooth is cleaned.
● If necessary, the wound is stitched closed to promote healing.
● Finally, gauze is placed over the extraction site to control bleeding and to help a blood clot form.

We can evaluate the state of your teeth and advise you on the most convenient and effective schedule for successful treatment. Call Green Cove Dental 904-297-8416.

What Happens After Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

It is generally advised for patients to rest for a few days after their procedure.
You may experience minor bleeding and some pain. Read the section below for some tips on what to do if you experience this. If you regularly exercise, remember to stop if you get lightheaded. Everyone’s reaction varies, and pain ranges from mild to severe. You should expect to have some swelling after surgery which typically peaks on the second day and resolves shortly after. Follow the instructions provided to you by your dentist to ensure maximum comfort and quick healing. In most cases, 3 to 5 days of rest is plenty.

What to expect after wisdom teeth removal?

Bleeding – We will provide you with gauze to change out periodically over the site of the extraction. Apply pressure for one hour after arriving home to alleviate bleeding. Excess bleeding may occur if pressure is not applied. Bite firmly for 30 minutes before removal and replacement. If you run out of gauze, a moistened black tea bag will do the trick.

Swelling –  Expect some swelling after wisdom teeth removal, especially around the lower face the day after surgery. This often peaks around 2-3 days after surgery so don’t worry, this is a normal reaction. Immediately applying ice packs post-surgery will diminish swelling. If you feel any stiffness in your jaw muscles 48 hours after surgery, apply moist heat to your jaw for muscle relaxation to help you open your mouth.

Pain – You will be provided with medication by your dentist following surgery. Prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any medications you are allergic to and follow any cautionary instructions depending on the medication prescribed to you.

Diet Change –  Avoid eating or drinking for at least on hour after wisdom teeth removal. You may consume liquids only, in the 15 minutes after this one hour period. DO NOT USE STRAWS. Sucking with a straw may dislodge the blood clot and cause more bleeding. Soft foods are okay but be sure to chew away from the surgical sites.

Maintain a high calorie/protein diet and it is advised to increase fluid intake to 5-6 glasses daily to avoid dehydration and lack of nourishment.

Change in Oral Hygiene – Do not rinse until 24 hours after surgery. After that time has passed, rinsing 5-6 times daily with warm water and 1 teaspoon of salt is encouraged. Resume brushing your teeth 24 hours after surgery.

Antibiotics –  If you have been placed on antibiotics, take as directed to prevent infection. If you develop a rash or any other adverse reactions, discontinue usage immediately and contact our office.

 

What to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?  

Prior to surgery stock up on easy-to-eat foods like popsicles, ice cream, yogurt, soup, Jell-O, pudding, mashed potatoes and other foods that require little to no chewing. Cold foods are especially with discomfort.

When Can I Eat Solid Foods Again?

By day three if you are feeling up to it, foods like fluffy eggs or oatmeal can be consumed. By the fifth day, you should be able to resume  eating firm foods as long as you make sure to chew slowly, mainly on the areas away from the extractions, and avoid taking large bites.

Other Information Regarding Wisdom Tooth Extraction

You may expect a completely normal slight temperature elevation after surgery. Tylenol or Ibuprofen can be taken to reduce the fever but check to make sure they are safe to use with any other medications you may be taking.

Be careful of standing quickly due to lightheadedness caused by low blood sugar or medications. Slowly move from lying to sitting to make sure you feel okay to stand.

If you feel hard, sharp protrusions near the surgical sites, these are likely
the bony walls that supported the now-removed tooth. These will usually
smooth out on their own but can be removed if they persist. A sore throat is common due to swollen jaw and neck muscles, but should subside in
roughly 2-3 days. Make sure to keep your lips moist to avoid cracking.

What are Potential Postoperative Problems?

Wisdom teeth removal is a serious medical procedure, and post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and complications such as infection and swelling can be minimized if the instructions provided to you are followed carefully. At times, some complications may still arise.

Common issues after wisdom teeth removal can include:  

Dry Sockets – Dry sockets are the most common issue after wisdom teeth
removal. This usually happens due to the premature dislodging of a blood
clot. Dry sockets typically occur in the lower jaw three to five days after
surgery and can cause ear aches radiating down toward the chin. If you smoke or take oral contraceptives may be at greater risk for dry sockets. Fortunately they can be easily treated. Call our office immediately to schedule an appointment.

During the exam we will determine if the discomfort is due to a dry socket or caused by something else. If it is a dry socket, we will gently clean the area before we address the issue. Treatment will relieve the pain almost instantly and effectively prevents future discomfort as the area heals.

Be aware that this is purely for pain management and does not expedite healing. If medication is managing the pain on its own, additional dressing may not be necessary.

Sensory Nerve Damage – One nerve in your lower jawbone is often close to
the roots of the lower wisdom teeth and it can become injured during the extraction. This usually occurs more often with older patients whose roots run deeper than a teenager’s. You may experience a tingle in your lower lip, chin, or tongue when the anesthesia wears off, but this is usually temporary and should resolve gradually on its own.

Sinus Communication – Though this is unlikely to occur in younger patients, the upper wisdom teeth are close to your sinuses and their removal can leave an opening. Typically it will close on its own, but we recommend you avoid blowing your nose for a few days.

Infections – Occasionally, infections may occur. This usually requires a
quick office visit and exam, and antibiotic prescriptions will typically resolve the problem with a day or two.

Local Anesthesia

Sometimes we recommend numbing a part of your mouth in order to
perform an invasive procedure without pain. We will inject medicine into your gum or inner cheek. Lidocaine is the most common local anesthetic that dentists use, but there are others used.

There are two kinds of numbing injections. A block injection numbs an entire
region of your mouth like one side of your jaw. An infiltration injection numbs a smaller area. This is just the immediate area near where the injection was
given.

If you need local anesthesia we will dry part of your mouth with air or cotton then swab the area with a gel to numb the skin. Then we slowly inject
the local anesthetic. Most people don’t feel the needle at all, just a little sting caused by the anesthetic moving into the tissue. The resulting numbness can last several hours.

Dental Implant Restoration

This is the process of restoring an implant in the place of a damaged or missing tooth. All dental implant restorations contains three important parts. The implant, the abutment and the restoration/crown. The implant itself is a screw-like material made up of titanium and is inserted directly into the bone.

Call Green Cove Dental for more information about dental implant restorations!