As teens approach adulthood, wisdom teeth could soon erupt. For adults, this may have already happened, leading to major complications. To help restore the health and appearance of your smile, we may need to extract these teeth. At your Metairie, LA, oral surgery clinic, you can protect your smile by extracting your wisdom teeth.
The Impacts of Your Third Molars
As we reach adulthood, new teeth could erupt in the rear of our mouth. These are wisdom teeth, and for some as many as four could arrive. At one time, these served a purpose but over the millennia our mouths have evolved to only accommodate 28 teeth. Since this pushes 32 teeth in the same space, the result could be misalignment, damaged teeth, infection, and a greater risk of tooth decay and gum disease. To avoid these negative changes, our team wants to remove them before they even erupt. If they have already erupted, we could remove them as part of your orthodontic treatment, working with your general dentist or orthodontist as we help strengthen your smile.
Planning the Extraction Process
Our team begins with digital x-rays. We take these detailed images to identify the position of the teeth and to plan the extraction process in detail. The system uses 90% less radiation and avoids the need for bitewings, with images available instantly chairside. Our team will administer a local anesthetic and can also offer sedation to help you stay calm and relaxed as we conduct your oral surgery. We believe people should always enjoy a positive experience in the office, and we can provide this with our years of experience and training.
Removing the Teeth
Once we plan the process in detail and prepare you, our team will then gently open the gums above the teeth if they haven’t erupted yet, and then loosen and remove them with a pair of forceps. We then suture the area closed, and will remove the sutures in a follow-up visit. We will send you home with detailed aftercare instructions to help facilitate a complication-free healing period, so you can return to your normal routine often as little as 24 to 48 hours. If you have any questions about how we plan and implement a tooth extraction to remove your wisdom teeth, or if you or your child is approaching adulthood and you want to assess the risk, then contact our team today to learn more.
Talk to Your Metairie, LA Dentist About Tooth Extraction
Our team wants to help smiles of all ages stay strong, and sometimes that means oral surgery. For more information on our gentle and effective tooth extraction, reach out to our Metairie, LA oral surgery clinic at (504) 455-7161. We strive to offer a positive experience and treatment that addresses the complex issues facing your smile.