Safe and Gentle Wisdom Tooth Removal
Tooth extractions have a bad reputation for being painful, complex procedures, but they’re sometimes necessary to preserve your oral health. Wisdom teeth are one of these reasons, as impacted wisdom teeth can lead to a host of complications. While some patients may have the room for these third molars, most patients will need to have them removed in their late teens or early twenties.
Without treatment, these errant molars can result in a misaligned bite, TMJ issues, and even infection in severe cases. Our Los Angeles dentist, Dr. Sam Lavi, can remove your wisdom teeth with care and precision before they lead to any complications. Read on to learn more about our extraction procedure.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Also known as your third set of molars, wisdom teeth often emerge during a patient’s late teens or early twenties. These teeth often become impacted, meaning they fail to emerge properly and become stuck under the gums. They may grow sideways, or emerge in such a way that causes jaw pain.
Because the mouth doesn’t have enough room to accommodate these teeth, dentists advise having wisdom teeth removed before they result in any oral health complications. While not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed, it’s best to get an idea of their current positions by attending a consultation with our Studio City dentist.
When Are Wisdom Teeth Extractions Necessary?
Our dentist in Los Angeles County may recommend wisdom tooth extraction for patients experiencing:
- Bleeding or inflamed gums
- Limited jaw movement
- Severe tooth pain
- Sinus problems
- Cysts in the affected area
- Jaw pain or swelling
- Persistent bad breath
These are common signs of impacted teeth wreaking havoc on your oral health. If you suspect you may need your wisdom teeth removed, don’t wait to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lavi. He’ll perform a thorough evaluation on your teeth, gums, and jaw to determine the best course of action.
The Wisdom Teeth Extraction Process
Depending on the details of your treatment, Dr. Lavi may be able to remove your wisdom teeth in just one appointment. He’ll begin by administering a local anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel any pain while he works. Once the targeted site and surrounding areas are numb, he’ll begin by making a small incision in your gums.
Dr. Lavi will gently and quickly remove your wisdom teeth, applying stitches to the gums afterward. He’ll repeat this process for all the teeth that need removing. Once complete, he’ll apply gauze to begin the healing process.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction Aftercare
The typical recovery period for wisdom tooth extraction is a few days. In this time, it’s crucial to follow all of Dr. Lavi’s care instructions to ensure a successful procedure and avoid any complications. During your recovery period, our dentist may recommend that you avoid:
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Crunchy, hard, or chewy foods
- Drinking through a straw
- Strenuous physical activity
- Rinsing your mouth
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Lavi can typically remove your wisdom teeth in just one visit. Each tooth takes up to 45 minutes to remove, though this depends on the severity of its positioning in your mouth. Our dentist will provide you with an accurate treatment timeline at your initial consultation.
Having wisdom teeth removed is a virtually painless procedure. Dr. Lavi will administer a local anesthetic beforehand to ensure you don’t feel any pain. You may experience mild discomfort after your procedure, but any pain can be relieved using over-the-counter pain medications and cold compresses. You can apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed to alleviate swelling.
Your recovery timeline depends on several factors, such as your oral health and how many teeth you have removed. Generally, it can take up to two weeks to completely recover from a wisdom tooth extraction. During this time, it’s important to follow all of Dr. Lavi’s post-operative instructions to ensure a successful healing period.
