Wisdom Tooth Extractions – McKinney, TX

While our paleolithic ancestors once used their wisdom teeth to help chew through tough meats and hard nuts and berries, today, we don’t have much use for these third molars. In fact, many dentists often advise patients to remove them because they pose a threat to their future oral health, like crowding and a high risk of infection. If you still have your wisdom teeth, whether they’re erupted or impacted, our team at Oakbrook Dental & Orthodontics can extract them to preserve your dental health. Call us today to schedule a consultation and learn more!

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth that erupt, typically between the ages of 17 and 24. They’re located behind the second molars, and while some people may have all four of them, others only have one, two, or three. This is largely dependent on your genetics and the unique development of your body. A very small percentage of people never develop their wisdom teeth at all.  

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

Wisdom teeth don’t always need to be extracted. In fact, our team at Oakbrook Dental & Orthodontics always weigh the risk of an invasive procedure like wisdom tooth extraction in McKinney against its possible adverse impacts on your oral health. If we believe that the pros of treatment far outweigh the cons, we may advise you to schedule your extraction after your consultation. This is typically in the following cases:

• They’re impacted below the gumline
• An infection has developed or you’re at a high risk of developing one
• Persistent or severe pain towards the back of your mouth
• There’s not enough room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth to grow in

What to Expect from the Extraction Process

The extraction process will largely depend on the location of your wisdom teeth. For example, if your teeth are impacted below the gumline, you’ll likely need oral surgery, which our experts at Oakbrook Dental & Orthodontics are able to complete in-office. This will involve creating a small window in your gumline to gain access to the third molars underneath. We’ll then gently remove them from the arch. In some cases, we may need to separate them into smaller pieces to do this.

If your wisdom teeth have erupted through the gumline, the process is much simpler. Using an instrument called an elevator, we’ll gently lift the teeth from the gumline. Then, we’ll grip onto the tooth with a pair of dental forceps and slowly wiggle it free of any connective tissues and remove it.

Recovering from Wisdom Tooth Extractions

After your treatment, our team will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions on how to care for your recovering smile. Some general tips we recommend are:

• Eat a soft diet following your procedure.
• Don’t drink using a straw to prevent dry socket.
• Stop using tobacco products and drinking alcohol until your mouth fully recovers.
• Avoid strenuous activity and exercise for the following one to two weeks.
• For swelling, place a cold compress on your cheek.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.