Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Covington, WA
Giving Your Teeth the Space They Need
Wisdom teeth typically make an appearance between the ages of 16 and 25. Unfortunately, however, they often are more harmful than helpful. If that’s the case for you, then we will need to extract them to preserve your healthy, happy smile. You can read on to learn more about the procedure – from why it’s important to what to expect during the recovery process – below. As always, you’re more than welcome to reach out to us with any questions you have or to schedule an appointment too!
Why Choose Complete Dental Care of Covington for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Digital X-Rays That Emit Minimal Radiation
- Comfort-Focused Approach
- Dentist with Years of Proven Experience
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars! Although they served a very important purpose for our ancestors, our diets, lifestyles, and oral hygiene habits are drastically different today. As a result, there usually isn’t enough room for them, which leads to considerable overcrowding. Whether you’re preparing for orthodontic treatment or their presence makes it difficult to brush and floss with ease, we recommend having them removed if they jeopardize the look, health, or function of your smile.
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
There are two types of procedures a dentist will choose from when preparing to extract wisdom teeth: simple or surgical. Depending on the state of your molars, Dr. Navi Dhaliwal will closely examine any diagnostic images before developing a plan to remove them as safely and conservatively as possible.
A simple wisdom tooth extraction is usually performed when wisdom teeth have partially erupted. Using a dental elevator and pliers, she will raise the tooth and gently rock it back and forth until it officially detaches from the ligaments.
A surgical wisdom tooth extraction means that the wisdom teeth are impacted (beneath the gumline). To remove them, she will need to make small incisions in the gums before extracting them in sections. Oftentimes, removing them whole can do more damage to the bone, which is why she will likely take the time to separate the teeth into sections before removing them.
Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction
To avoid complications, like a dry socket, during the recovery period, we will provide you with a list of things to do once you return home. A few examples include:
- Sticking to very soft foods, like plain yogurt
- Brushing carefully around the extraction site
- Taking prescribed or OTC pain medication as directed
- Avoiding strenuous activities, including running and lifting weights
- Not smoking, drinking alcohol, using a straw, or spitting
- Drinking lots of water to stay hydrated
Have a question for us about wisdom tooth extractions? Ready to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist? If the answer is “yes,” then give us a call today. We look forward to caring for your smile!