Despite your best efforts, teeth sometimes need to be removed to protect your health. Most people between the ages of 17 and 25 will need to get their wisdom teeth taken out, especially if they’re causing pain toward the back of the mouth. Our ProSmiles Dental team will likely discuss the need for wisdom teeth extraction in Fort Worth to ensure your smile remains healthy, functional, and problem-free. To learn more about the procedure, continue reading or give our office a call today!
Dr. De Simone sits on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Academy of General Dentistry and is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and in the American Dental Implant Association.
Dr. De Simone loves what he does and enjoys being the type of dentist his patients can trust, depend upon, and turn to for their difficult dental problems. His philosophy is simple – “We treat your family like you are family.”
Commonly referred to as the third molars, the wisdom teeth are the last set to erupt during late adolescence or early adulthood. However, these do not have enough room to push through the gumline, which is why they often result in impaction. If this were to happen, it can cause increasing discomfort.
Long ago, wisdom teeth were necessary for early humans because of the course diets they followed. Over time, the changes in the formation and development of facial structure no longer made this third set of molars essential. For that reason alone, wisdom teeth extraction has become a standard procedure for most people.
It is often recommended that wisdom teeth be removed for the following reasons:
After a meeting with one of our skilled dentists, they will determine if it is appropriate to remove your wisdom teeth.
When we've discussed all other possibilities and you've decided on wisdom teeth extraction, we'll take every step to help you. Your well-being always takes priority in any treatment decision. Some patients prefer sedation to help with oral surgery, and we can review these options in your treatment plan. You can trust we take every measure to make sure even minor surgical procedures are as comfortable as possible.
Some teeth are removed more easily than others, but the ProSmiles Dental team takes pride in helping every patient get numb with modern anesthetics to start every procedure. Once anesthesia settles in, our oral surgeon uses specialized instruments to elevate the tooth out of place. You will receive specific post-operative instructions to help you care for the extraction area after your procedure, with prescriptions for any medications needed during the healing period.
While our immediate concern is the short-term management of your care, we will also discuss your long-term plans for replacing missing teeth. Leaving a space is always an option, but spaces in your smile can create appearance concerns and functional challenges that are important to consider. Teeth are likely to slowly shift or migrate into open spaces, and minimizing the effects of an unbalanced bite can prevent issues later in life.
While recovering from wisdom tooth extraction is different for every patient, the typical recovery period for this procedure is 7-10 days. This may be shorter or longer depending on the number of wisdom teeth you have removed at one time. It is normal for a dentist to remove all four during one appointment; however, there may be instances where a dental professional believes it is best to only remove one or two. The important thing to remember is to get plenty of rest, avoid hard foods in the first few days, and be gentle when brushing and caring for your smile while healing at home.
It is often recommended that wisdom teeth be removed for the following reasons:
After a meeting with one of our skilled dentists, they will determine if it is appropriate to remove your wisdom teeth.
When preparing for a wisdom tooth extraction, you may wonder if you can simply sleep through the process. While it is possible, it may not be entirely necessary, as certain forms of sedation can help you enter into a dream-like state. Before beginning your extraction, your oral surgeon will administer local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth, allowing you to feel no pain. You will then receive a form of sedation to ensure you are fully relaxed and comfortable throughout the entire procedure. If opting for oral conscious sedation, you will likely remember very little, if anything, once the extraction is complete.
While every patient is different, the typical recovery period for a wisdom tooth extraction is 7-10 days. This may be shorter or longer depending on the number of wisdom teeth you have removed at one time. It is normal for a dentist to remove all four during one appointment; however, there may be instances where a dental professional believes it is best to only remove one or two. The important thing to remember is to get plenty of rest, avoid hard foods in the first few days, and be gentle when brushing and caring for your smile while healing at home.
If a dry socket occurs, it will likely happen within 3-5 days after your procedure. It is best to avoid sipping through a straw, spitting, or smoking during recovery so that you do not dislodge the blood clot. Should this happen, you will begin to experience pain in the area near your tooth, and it will often radiate toward your ear. If pain medication is not alleviating the discomfort, you have bad breath, or you cannot get that “bad taste out of your mouth,” you can safely assume you have a dry socket. You will need to contact our office as soon as possible so that we can address the issue.
At ProSmiles Dental, you’ll be pleased to know that for new patients, your consultation is free of charge. This allows our team to provide you with the high-quality care you need from a dentist who believes in putting patients first. Once you are ready to move forward with treatment, there’s no need to stress about the financial aspects because our team of qualified staff will take care of filing all necessary claims and paperwork on your behalf. We proudly accept most PPO dental insurance plans as well as Medicaid and CHIP coverage. We also provide an in-house membership plan for one low annual fee that gives you access to basic preventive care and a 15% discount on all other treatments.
If you’re uninsured or need help paying the remaining balance, we work closely with CareCredit financing who offers low and no interest payment plans to help you stay within your budget.