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Most adults develop wisdom teeth in their late teens or early 20s. Third molars, otherwise called wisdom teeth, grow in behind the rest of the teeth on the top and bottom of the mouth. Sometimes, these teeth do not emerge above the gum line due to crowding and other issues. In rare cases, they develop normally and require no attention. At NextGen OMS, our oral maxillofacial surgeon performs wisdom teeth removal for patients referred to us by dental practitioners in Frisco, TX.

Impacted wisdom teeth don’t have enough room for normal development and must be removed. Sometimes, clients have had braces and other dental work and don’t want their erupting wisdom tooth to create crowding and misalign their teeth. Whatever reason you have for wanting to have your wisdom teeth removed, we can help.

Problematic Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth can result in pain and discomfort, especially if more than one of them comes in at a time. Many times, wisdom teeth don’t cause initial problems but become an issue down the road. For example, it’s harder to clean behind your molars once the wisdom teeth come in, and this may make you more susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay.

To avoid potential problems and complications with your other teeth, dentists often recommend wisdom teeth removal. Oral surgeons have additional training and experience in more complicated scenarios, such as the failure of wisdom teeth to rise above the gumline or come in straight.

Abnormal Wisdom Teeth Symptoms

It’s important to note that impacted wisdom teeth don’t always cause pain. Sometimes though, they can become infected, threatening the health of your gums, jaw, and other oral structures. The following symptoms may indicate that your wisdom teeth haven’t developed normally:

• Swollen gums and jaw
• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath or unpleasant taste
• Trouble opening your mouth
• Jaw pain

Should You See a Dentist or Oral Surgeon?

In some cases, your dentist performs wisdom teeth removal. For more complicated cases, dentists turn to the oral surgeon at NextGen OMS to help ensure a good outcome.

What Cause Wisdom Teeth Complications?

Wisdom teeth are vestigial, meaning we no longer need them. They are part of our evolutionary past when humans needed additional power to grind and chew roots and other raw foods. Wisdom teeth become impacted when there isn’t enough room for them to develop like other teeth.

Typically, young adults between ages 17 and 25 begin to see their wisdom teeth come in, sometimes all at once and sometimes one by one. If your wisdom teeth don’t align with the rest of your teeth, they can press against the second molars at the top or bottom of your mouth. When they are unable to emerge, they become trapped or impacted.

Here are some of the ways wisdom teeth become impacted:

• Some of the crowns emerge but the tooth remains partially impacted.
• The wisdom tooth never breaks through the gums.
• Wisdom teeth grow towards the second molars.
• Wisdom teeth grow towards the back of the mouth.
• They can also grow at right angles to your existing teeth as if the tooth is lying down.
• Other wisdom teeth grow straight up or down but don’t cut above the gum line.

Complications Requiring Wisdom Teeth Removal

There are several problems that can arise as the result of abnormal wisdom teeth. First, third molars can damage other teeth when they push against the tooth in front of them. This can cause an infection in the area that threatens your oral and general health. The pressure from a wisdom tooth pressing against the second molar can also cause your other teeth to become misaligned.

Cysts sometimes develop in a pus-filled sack in your jawbone. They are usually infected, which can damage your teeth, jawbone, and nerves. Sometimes, a tumor, usually benign, develops but that’s rare. The oral surgeon may need to remove bone and tissue to treat an infected cyst.

Tooth decay occurs when wisdom teeth make it more difficult to clean your second molars. It’s also difficult to clean behind wisdom teeth themselves. Bacteria get trapped between the gums and partially erupted wisdom teeth, further compromising your oral health.

You may also develop gum disease as a result of partially erupted wisdom teeth that complicate brushing and flossing. It starts with inflamed gums and, left untreated, can develop into periodontal disease.

How Can I Prevent Wisdom Teeth Complications?

Wisdom teeth removal doesn’t hurt your oral health because you don’t need wisdom teeth to speak or perform other functions involving your teeth. You can’t prevent wisdom tooth impaction because you have no way of knowing when your wisdom teeth will come in. However, regular six-month checkups can help your dentist spot the signs that your wisdom teeth are about to come in. Typically, they show up on dental x-rays, giving you and your dentist time to strategize on the best solution for you. zin many cases, that will involve an oral maxillofacial surgeon removing the wisdom teeth, hopefully before they cause any problems.

How Wisdom Teeth Removal Works

Removing wisdom teeth is an outpatient surgery and takes place at NextGen OMS. The surgeon will remove the wisdom tooth by cutting into the gums and, if required, breaking up the tooth or otherwise making it easier to remove. Once the wisdom tooth has been removed, the surgeon cuts out any infected tissue and cleans out the area thoroughly.

You may have pain and swelling for a few days to a week. The oral surgeon may recommend nonprescription painkillers and prescribe antibiotics to help your mouth heal and make you more comfortable. You may also receive a prescription for mouthwashes that can help avoid infection.

If you had stitches, you can return to the office in about a week to have them removed. For any swelling, pain, or discoloration that does not go away or improve in the first few days, call us to ensure you haven’t developed complications following wisdom teeth removal.

You may experience bleeding, dry socket, or other complications following wisdom teeth removal. Therefore, it’s very important for you to follow the surgeon’s instructions for the best possible outcome.

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Frisco, TX

If you need wisdom teeth removal in Frisco, TX, contact NextGen OMS. Our oral surgeon has helped many other clients with problematic wisdom teeth and comes highly recommended by area dentists. Our compassionate staff and state-of-the-art facility are ideal for an outpatient wisdom tooth removal.