Protect your oral health with wisdom tooth extraction
Wisdom Teeth Removal
At Brazos Oral & Facial Surgery, we provide state-of-the-art wisdom tooth extraction to protect the health of your smile. Our team of skilled oral surgeons can perform both simple and complex extractions, including the removal of impacted wisdom teeth.
Why are wisdom teeth removed?
The third and final set of molars to erupt in the back of your mouth are known as wisdom teeth. Many teens and young adults develop a full set of wisdom teeth, but do not realize they have these extra molars because unless they cause noticeable symptoms like pain or swelling, they are undetectable without regular dental exams and X-rays.
The average adult mouth is not large enough to accommodate an additional set of molars, causing significant oral health problems. To avoid serious complications, Dr. Warren and Dr. Gatlin recommend having wisdom teeth extracted as early as possible. Dr. Warren and Dr. Gatlin perform wisdom teeth removal in the comfort of their office in Waco, TX, using anesthesia for your comfort. If you or your child have wisdom teeth or would like an oral health evaluation, contact Brazos Oral & Facial Surgery today to schedule a consultation.
Why should my wisdom teeth be removed?
If third molars have partially or fully grown, you are at an increased risk for the development of several serious oral and dental problems, like impaction and dental disease. These issues can progress and cause severe discomfort and require more extensive or costly procedures to correct. Untreated wisdom teeth may lead to:
- Overcrowding
- Impaction
- Infection
- Cysts or tumors
- Pain
- Difficulty chewing
- Chronic bad breath
- Tooth decay
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
A wisdom tooth becomes impacted when there is not enough space within the dental arch, causing it to grow at an angle. Some impacted teeth partially erupt through the gums, while other impacted teeth remain fully trapped beneath the gums. When a molar is growing toward adjacent teeth, it can trap plaque and debris, making the teeth more vulnerable to decay. The molars may also crowd or damage neighboring teeth or harm the jaw bone and its nerves. Without a clear path of eruption, impacted wisdom teeth will not emerge into the dental arch on their own and must be surgically removed.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
During the consultation appointment, our team will take 3D scans of your mouth. With these detailed images, your oral surgeon can examine the position of the wisdom teeth and diagnose any underlying oral health issues. Dr. Warren or Dr. Gatlin will also use these scans to create a detailed surgical plan for your individual needs.
Wisdom tooth extraction is performed using anesthesia or sedation. There are many anesthetic options available at Brazos Oral & Facial Surgery for you to choose from depending on the complexity of your procedure and your level of anxiety. Many patients undergo IV sedation for this procedure, although some cases may only require local anesthesia.
First, we will administer a local anesthetic to numb the surgical area. If you are receiving IV sedation, we will administer the sedation intravenously and begin the procedure once it takes effect. Your surgeon can extract an erupted wisdom tooth using forceps, similar to a simple tooth extraction. To access any impacted wisdom teeth, your surgeon will make an incision in the gum tissue and then remove them. After the molars have been removed, your surgeon will close incisions with sutures and your procedure will be complete.
Wisdom Teeth Removal – Post-Operative Instructions
We will provide post-operative instructions to guide you through your recovery. They contain information on what foods to avoid, how to care for your surgical sites, how to manage post-surgical pain or swelling, and more. If you have questions at any time during your treatment with us, please contact our office and a member of our team will be happy to help you.
Get to know us.
At Brazos Oral & Facial Surgery, we know how to help you. Our board-certified surgeons and expert staff can provide the care you need to relieve the discomfort you feel.
