Wisdom Teeth Removal in Columbia, MD

Many people have their wisdom teeth removed because the average adult mouth does not have room for an extra set of molars. By having these teeth extracted, you prevent many problems from arising and promote better long-term oral health. Our surgeons extract wisdom teeth in the comfort of our office and use the latest imaging technology to ensure your safety during procedures and achieve predictable results. If it’s time for you or your child to have wisdom teeth removed, contact Akeso Oral, Facial & Dental Implant Surgery in Columbia, MD, to schedule a consultation. 

Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to appear and often develop between the ages of 17 and 21. Without enough room in the mouth for an extra set of molars, these teeth can cause many issues as they try to squeeze in.

Some people never develop wisdom teeth, but for the ones who do, it’s important to have them evaluated by a dental professional as soon as possible. During regular dental exams, your dentist checks for wisdom teeth and will refer you to an oral surgeon if it’s time to have them extracted. Dentists and oral surgeons recommend having wisdom teeth extracted because they can lead to serious health complications if left untreated, such as:

• Dental crowding
• Damage to adjacent teeth
• Infection
• Pain or swelling
• Impaction
• Gum disease

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are unpredictable. They may erupt through the gums or become impacted, or trapped. Partially impacted teeth only somewhat erupt through the gums and easily trap food and bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities and infections. Fully impacted wisdom teeth are not visible along the gum line at all and can damage the jaw bone or the roots of adjacent teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth will not erupt on their own and must be removed surgically.

Symptoms of Third Molars

Some wisdom teeth do not cause noticeable symptoms, while others cause pain or swelling. It’s important to note that even symptom-free wisdom teeth can threaten your health and if not treated early, they can still create issues down the road. You should have your wisdom teeth evaluated if you notice any of these symptoms:

• Pain in the back of the mouth
• Difficulty fully opening the mouth
• Ongoing bad breath, even after regular brushing
• Seeing a third molar poking through the gums
• Red or swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• An unpleasant taste

Wisdom teeth may cause some, all, or none of these symptoms. Having your teeth evaluated by a dental expert is the ideal way to find out when it’s time to have your wisdom teeth removed. Schedule an appointment to evaluate your wisdom teeth by contacting our Columbia, MD, office today.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure

During your first visit, we will create a custom plan for your wisdom tooth removal using detailed 3d scans of your mouth and face. Our surgeons offer many types of anesthesia, including IV sedation, laughing gas, local anesthesia, and general anesthesia, and will help you choose the right option for your comfort. Many patients undergo IV sedation for this procedure.

After the anesthesia has taken effect, your surgeon will extract erupted wisdom teeth with forceps and make an incision in the gum tissue to access impacted teeth. Some teeth are broken into smaller pieces to make extraction easier. Once the teeth are removed, we will place dissolvable sutures as needed.

If you underwent IV sedation, you must arrange for an adult to drive you home after the procedure. We will provide you with prescription pain medication or advise you on which over-the-counter medications to take to aid in your recovery. We will also provide post-operative instructions that outline how to care for your surgical sites, types of soft foods to eat, how to manage swelling, and more. It's important to follow these instructions closely to prevent a delay in healing or dry socket, which is a condition where the blood clot forming within the tooth socket becomes dislodged. If you suspect a dry socket or have questions about your recovery, please contact our office.

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Columbia, MD

At Akeso Oral, Facial & Dental Implant Surgery, we make the oral and maxillofacial surgery process a comfortable and positive experience for our patients and their families. To find out if it's time for you or your child to have wisdom teeth removed, contact our office in Columbia, MD, to schedule a consultation with our oral surgeons.