If you or your child needs wisdom teeth removal near New Brunswick, NJ, Oral Surgery Group is here to help. Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons have years of experience removing wisdom teeth safely and efficiently from all three of our convenient surgical offices in central New Jersey.
Wisdom teeth are your third and final set of molars. They usually finish growing in between ages 17 and 25, which is much later than the rest of the adult teeth. Because they grow in so late, many people forget or don’t know that their wisdom teeth are coming until they start having pain or other problems. Having regular dental exams can help you and your dentist ensure that your wisdom teeth aren’t positioned in a manner that will cause problems beneath the surface of your gums.
Why should I undergo wisdom teeth removal?
When wisdom teeth are causing pain and discomfort, it’s obvious that they need to be removed. Because your existing molars are adequate for chewing, wisdom teeth don’t add much value to the mouth, which makes removal the simplest course of action when infection, impaction, and other problems start developing.
Most people’s mouths are too small to accommodate four extra molars, and X-rays allow dental professionals to track the position and progress of wisdom teeth throughout development. If your wisdom teeth have enough space to grow into a healthy position, they may not need to be removed, but if the wisdom teeth start growing in sideways or becoming impacted, removal will be recommended. Some of the problems poorly positioned wisdom teeth can cause are
- Damage to the roots of other molars
- Crowding of healthy teeth (especially the lower teeth)
- Impaction
- Infections
- Cyst and tumor formation in the bone and gum tissue
The easiest course of action is to have wisdom teeth removed before these problems arise, often before the teeth ever emerge from beneath the gums. Doing so can prevent future damage and discomfort for your existing teeth and healthy tissues.
How does the removal procedure work?
Before your procedure, you will come in for a consultation appointment so that your oral surgeon can review your condition, take any necessary X-rays or images, and discuss your treatment plan with you. If you have any questions about your wisdom teeth procedure or anesthesia instructions, this consultation is the perfect time for you to discuss them. Most patients return at a later date for the removal procedure. If IV sedation/anesthesia is part of your treatment plan, you will need a designated driver to bring you to and from your appointment.
After the appropriate anesthesia is administered, your surgeon will remove the wisdom teeth. If the molars are still beneath the gums, the surgeon will lift a portion of the gum tissue to reach the tooth. The tooth may be broken into smaller pieces to make removal easier. Once the teeth are removed, the surgical sites will be sutured to promote faster healing. Once the anesthesia wears off, your designated driver will be able to take you home.
Recovery is different for everyone, but most people will need to take it easy for a few days after the procedure. You will be given pain medication to help control any discomfort immediately after the surgery. Most patients are back to their normal routines after three or so days, but the surgical sites will need to stay clean until they are fully closed, which can take up to two weeks. If you have any questions or concerns about recovery, your surgeon will be happy to answer them.
Wisdom Teeth Removal in New Brunswick, NJ
Our practice has been in the New Brunswick community since 1948, and our oral surgeons have years of experience performing wisdom teeth procedures. We use the most reliable, advanced tools available to make sure each procedure goes as smoothly as possible. Contact one of our offices to learn more or schedule a wisdom teeth consultation today.