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At NextGen, we offer full-scale oral surgery services. Dr. Eftekhari, our oral surgeon, has undergone the educational and surgical training needed to perform a range of procedures. With both medical and dental degrees, he is uniquely qualified to extract wisdom teeth using the latest technology and techniques. A gifted facial, oral, head and neck surgeon, Dr. Eftekhari completed an Advanced Fellowship earlier in his career.

Understanding Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Wisdom teeth are sometimes called third molars and are typically the last permanent teeth to emerge from the gum line. Most people get their wisdom teeth between ages 17 and 25, although some people never get them. For some people, the wisdom teeth erupt without any problems while others experience pain and discomfort because the wisdom teeth do not emerge.

Impacted wisdom teeth remain partially or fully below the gum line. Many problems can occur during the development of these teeth, including the following:

• Come in at an angle toward your existing molars or the back of your mouth
• Grow at a right angle
• Stay within the bone without developing fully

Symptoms You Have a Problem With Your Wisdom Teeth

You may need a surgeon to remove your wisdom teeth if you experience the following symptoms:

• Trapped food causes cavities to form
• You develop gum disease or infections
• Deformed or angled wisdom tooth threatens your other teeth
• Pain
• Cyst forms around the wisdom tooth
• Wisdom tooth creates a problem for orthodontic treatments such as braces

Preventive Extraction by an Oral Surgeon

If your wisdom teeth don’t cause any problems, you may not need to take them out. However, there are several reasons that dental professionals recommend extracting a wisdom tooth. These include the following:

• Even without symptoms, wisdom teeth can become diseased or infected at a greater rate than other teeth.
• Many people don’t have room for these extra teeth, so it becomes difficult to clean them.
• Getting your wisdom teeth extracted at a young age can minimize complications.
• Wisdom teeth can cause your other teeth to become misaligned.

What to Expect During Surgery

Here’s what to expect if your dentist recommends that you go to an oral surgeon to remove your wisdom teeth. Dr. Eftekhari will administer local anesthesia or sedation anesthesia, depending on the condition of your wisdom teeth.

When an oral surgeon uses local anesthesia, it involves injecting medication near your wisdom tooth. With this type of anesthesia, you stay awake throughout the procedure. However, you won’t feel any pain. For more complex surgeries involving wisdom teeth extractions, you may receive sedation or general anesthesia through an IV.

With sedation anesthesia, you remember very little of the procedure. With general anesthesia, you remain asleep throughout the surgery.

Oral Surgery for Wisdom Teeth Extraction

During surgery for your wisdom teeth, Dr. Eftekhari makes an incision to access the tooth and jaw. He then removes bone to get to the root of your tooth before dividing the tooth into several pieces for easy removal. Finally, he removes the wisdom tooth, cleans the site and closes the wound with stitches if needed. Squares of gauze packed in the extraction area help the area to heal faster and begin the clotting process.

Going to an oral surgeon for wisdom teeth extraction gives you access to a dental specialist and improves your chances of a good outcome.

What to Do After the Procedure

Our staff will provide specific instructions on what to do following your wisdom tooth extraction. After oral surgery, you can expect bleeding for the first day following the procedure. We will also discuss any pain medication prescribed by your oral surgeon.

You can use an ice pack to help with swelling and bruising. Typically, the swelling goes down within two to three days. You may have bruising for several days until the area properly heals. To promote healing, we recommend avoiding strenuous activity in the week following your wisdom teeth surgery.

Drink plenty of water to avoid developing a dry socket or other complications. However, avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages for the first day following your surgery. You may also want to limit your diet to soft foods for the first 24 to 48 hours. Follow any directions provided by the oral surgeon regarding tobacco use and other instructions.

When to Call the Oral Surgeon

Call our office or seek emergency care immediately if you experience the following complications:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe pain even after taking pain medication
• Swelling that exceeds three days
• Pus forms in the socket
• Persistent numbness

If you notice any other unusual signs, come to our office in Plano, TX, or give us a call right away.

Although we recommend a follow-up appointment, you may not need to come back under the following circumstances:

• The stitches come out on their own.
• You didn’t have any complications.
• You don’t have swelling, pain, numbness or other symptoms that indicate an infection or nerve damage.

If you have any concerns or questions, please make an appointment for a follow-up visit as soon as as possible.

Other Oral Surgery Services 

As a full-service oral surgeon, Dr. Eftekhari performs a number of procedures for our clients. If you have any questions on wisdom teeth extraction or any other services, we’d be glad to walk you through the process.

Other oral surgery services include the following:

• In-office IV sedation
• Bone grafting
• Dental Implants including teeth in one day
• Salivary Gland disorders
• Oral & Tongue biopsies and reconstruction
• Oral infections/abscesses

Contact NextGen OMS in Plano, TX, today to schedule an appointment for wisdom tooth extraction or for diagnosis of conditions that may require oral surgery. Your comfort and oral health are our top priority.