Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come in, usually in your late teens or early twenties. For a lot of people, there just isn't enough room for them. At Inspire Dental in Tigard, Oregon, our oral surgeon removes wisdom teeth gently, and you can choose to sleep through it with IV sedation.
What is Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure to take out one or more of your back molars. Some wisdom teeth grow in just fine. Others get stuck under the gums or come in sideways. When that happens, they can cause pain, swelling, and infection, or push against the teeth next to them.
We start with an exam and X-rays to see how your wisdom teeth are growing. If they need to come out, we will explain why in plain terms and walk you through your options, including sedation. Removal is usually done in a single visit.
Signs Your Wisdom Teeth May Need to Come Out
Pain or pressure in the back of your mouth
Red, swollen, or tender gums behind your last molars
A bad taste or bad breath that won't go away
Trouble opening your mouth all the way
Food getting stuck in the back of your mouth
Even if nothing hurts yet, X-rays can spot problems early. Removing wisdom teeth sooner is often simpler, and younger patients tend to heal faster.
How Wisdom Teeth Removal Helps
Pain Relief: Taking out a stuck or crowded wisdom tooth relieves the pressure and aching in the back of your jaw.
Fewer Infections: Wisdom teeth that only partly come in can trap food and bacteria. Removing them lowers the chance of swollen, infected gums.
Protects Your Other Teeth: Wisdom teeth can push on nearby molars and make them hard to clean. Removing them helps keep your healthy teeth healthy.
Aftercare and Recovery
Most people feel much better within a few days. We will send you home with clear instructions, which may include:
Rest: Take it easy for the first day or two, and keep your head raised when you lie down
Ice: Hold a cold pack on your cheek, on and off, to bring down swelling.
Soft Foods: Stick with foods like yogurt, soup, eggs, and mashed potatoes for the first few days.
No Straws or Smoking: Sucking can loosen the blood clot that helps the area heal. Skip straws and smoking while you recover.
Gentle Cleaning: Brush carefully, and rinse with warm salt water once we tell you it's safe to start.
Pain Relief: We will recommend the right pain relief for you. If pain gets worse after a few days instead of better, give us a call.
The Inspire Dental Difference
Your wisdom teeth are in expert hands with Dr. Marcus Hwang, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with both a dental and a medical degree. Surgery of the jaw is his specialty, and he provides IV sedation right here in our Tigard office. You get a specialist's care without being sent somewhere new, and the team that already knows you stays with you from your first X-ray to your follow up visit.
Don't wait for a wisdom tooth to turn into an emergency. Contact Inspire Dental in Tigard, OR today to schedule your wisdom teeth consultation.
