What is a wisdom tooth extraction? how is it performed?

A : A wisdom tooth extraction is an extraction of a third molar. It it the farthest tooth back in the mouth both on the top and the bottom. Depending on how impacted the tooth is and angle the tooth formed at will determine if you are a able to have it out if say a lower third molar is enveloped with the nerve. Your tooth may need to be "cut in half", bone may need to be removed or it may be as simple as other teeht. Only a consultation with x-rays will determine how difficult it will be to extract. Most wisdom teeth can be extracted under local or sedation. It depends on your anxiety level and how much you want to know what is going on. It is also best to get all 4 wisdom teethout at once and heal at one time and not have to worry about it later in life. If you decide on sedation, you will need to discusss this with the surgeon to make sure you are medically fit to go under sedation. Good luck!

The : The american association of oral and maxillofacial surgeons has a very informative section of their web site (www.Aaoms.Org) that provides an excellent discussion of wisdom teeth and their management. Look under "conditions and treatment" on the right side for "wisdom teeth" have your general dentist recommend a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon in your area that can examine you and provide an explaination of your options for both surgery and anesthesia.

The : The wisdom teeth, the third molars, are the last teeth to erupt into the human mouth and they usually do so between the ages of 18 -25. We inherit the genetic prescription for the size of our teeth and jaws from our parents, and the jaw in ideal circumstances is long enough to accommodate all of the teeth. Many things can influence the rate at which the jaws grow one primary factor is the sucking action at the breast before we are weaned. Children who are weaned early ( before 9 months) may not have enough primary stimulus to the growth centers in the jaw to develop a long enough jaw length the accommodate all of our teeth. When this happens the developing teeth become jammed up into the less than adequate space and this is called being impacted. A correlation has been made between the introduction of milk formula and early weaning, and a national spate of impacted wisdom teeth. Left un-erupted in the jaw wisdom teeth can get badly infected and so they are frequently removed. That is what wisdom teeth extractions are all about. Now doctor gretzula has explained how they are removed, i might just add that commonly stiches are placed and the patient has to be on a soft diet and a salt water mouth rinse after the first day and for a week before the stitches are removed. During that time it is important that they are on a soft diet that can be swallowed easily and not stab into the wound areas. I hope that is useful. Dr. Neill mcleod dds dentistry that lasts - quality that counts.

3rd molars.: 3rd molar removal. Complex to explain here. For most complete explanation and best results with wisdom teeth, make sure you are evaluated and treated by a board certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon.