Wisdom teeth removal; Is summer time the wise time?
Wisdom teeth removal; Is summer time the wise time?
Summer time… Time for bathing suits, sunglasses, outdoor activities and more.
Although it may not rhyme with summertime, did you know that it’s also the most popular time of the year for wisdom teeth removal? Another reason to savour delicious ice cream this summer!
The timing for third molar surgery, also known as wisdom teeth removal, is often dictated by a patient’s presenting symptoms or is based on a dental professional recommendation following clinical or radiographic findings. Especially for students, it is a convenient time for consultation and for treatment with minimal disruption to patient’s academic schedule. Based on our experience, over 75% of our student-patients prefer to undergo surgical procedures this time of the year. Hence, we do believe that summertime is the wise time for this treatment.
What you need to know about wisdom teeth removal
In the following, you will learn more about this treatment and find out whether or not it is recommended in your case. Information pertaining to before and after (recovery) process is also shared in the section below.
Wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to break through the gum or “erupt” at the back of your mouth. They usually appear between the age of 17 and 25. During this “age of Wisdom” the majority of people have 32 teeth in their mouth, 16 in each of the upper and lower jaws. It is strongly recommended that third molars be evaluated by your oral and maxillofacial because it is important to assess their presence, detect any disease associated with them, and if necessary, to suggest treatment options to ensure the best patient outcomes possible. Depending on your condition, your dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon may recommend that your wisdom teeth be removed.
When is it recommended to remove your wisdom teeth?
• If you experience pain, feeling pressure caused by the wisdom teeth breaking through the gums against other teeth
• If you have an impacted tooth; a tooth that is unable to break through the gum, a tooth growing sideways, partially emerging from the gum, or remaining trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth may erupt in less favourable positions, away or towards the other teeth or parallel to the gum line.
• If you have a cavity which can develop in the wisdom tooth or the tooth next to it. This type of dental decay is very difficult to access and remove by your dentist and often warrants the removal of the wisdom tooth.
• If your wisdom teeth have an infection. The signs of an infection include bad breath, swelling, redness and pain in the gums. This can be a result of an infection, referred to as “pericoronitis” and if not treated, it can spread to the cheek(s) and neck.
• If you have a pathology developing around a wisdom tooth such as cysts, and tumors, and damage to neighboring teeth.
It is not required to remove your wisdom teeth in the following cases/instances:
• If your wisdom teeth are completely erupted and functional
• Painless
• If your wisdom teeth are cavity-free
• If your gum tissues are healthy
• If they are disease-free
Whether or not it is required to remove your wisdom teeth, they must be professionally examined regularly and x-rays of your wisdom teeth should be taken every year to make sure that the health of your teeth and gum tissue does not change. In addition, always make sure to take good care of your oral health and oral hygiene by cleaning and flossing your teeth, even the molars.
BEFORE AND AFTER WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL
Before wisdom teeth removal
- Plan to take time off from work or school, as you will need at least a day to rest after the surgery.
- You should tell your oral and maxillofacial surgeon about all of the medications you are taking as he or she may ask you to make some changes.
- Your surgeon will give you instructions on what to eat. He or she may ask you not to eat or drink from midnight before the procedure to be prepared for the anesthetic you will receive before surgery.
- Wear loose-fitting and comfortable clothing, preferably with short sleeves, as it will be easier to insert the intravenous line if you will be receiving medication in this way to help you relax and ease any discomfort.
- You should plan to have a responsible adult take you home after your surgery, as you should not drive for a period of 24 hours after the procedure.
- There are certain surgical risks associated with wisdom tooth extraction. Your surgeon will discuss these with you in person. Each case is different depending on the extent to which the wisdom teeth are impacted.
To have more information about wisdom teeth removal treatment, to find out whether or not it is required for you to have your wisdom teeth removed, or if you have any questions, then we invite you to meet with one of our oral and maxillofacial surgeons:
Contact us!
Send us an email: [email protected]
Call us: 514-931-7077
Book an appointment TODAY!
Posted by
chehade
on Jun 19th, 2014
3:13 pm
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Tags: before and after wisdom teeth removal, impacted wisdom teeth, Seaforth Oral Surgery, third molar surgery, third molars, wisdom teeth, wisdom teeth extraction, wisdom teeth removal
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