Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Roslyn, NY

Indications for Wisdom Tooth Removal

Not all patients require wisdom teeth removal; however, if you notice that your wisdom teeth are pressing against the gum line (impacted) or have only partially erupted and are causing much pain, it’s time to seek professional help. An infection can develop if left untreated. Our team will examine you or your child’s oral cavity to determine if these teeth should come out. If so, we will begin to plan your upcoming procedure.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it cannot erupt because there is inadequate space within the oral cavity. Overcrowding can occur, which often leads to orthodontic treatment later on. It can also damage nearby teeth and gums and increase your risk for decay and disease. It is often necessary to remove impacted wisdom teeth even if they’re causing no pain, as you’ll want to avoid the potential for worsening oral health issues in the future.

The Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure

When your dentist deems it is time to have your wisdom teeth removed, you will be referred to our dental office. Dr. Yusupov and our team will take digital X-rays and closely examine your oral cavity to determine if you require a simple or surgical extraction. No matter how your teeth are removed, you’ll receive local anesthesia to numb your mouth before we dislodge your teeth from any bone tissue and close the surgical sites.

Aftercare for Wisdom Tooth Extraction

It is normal to experience some swelling, bleeding, and discomfort after wisdom teeth extraction, but we will ensure you receive prescribed medication to minimize your pain. You’ll need to remain at home the rest of the day and consume only soft foods for the first week. After that time, you can expect your mouth to be healed, allowing you to resume a normal diet and routine.

More About Wisdom Tooth Extraction

In general wisdom teeth are not functional teeth and do not contribute to chewing efficiency. Most wisdom teeth are impacted, meaning that a portion of the tooth or its entirety is covered by the gums and or bone. Impaction makes hygiene difficult and can result in an acute infection known as pericoronitis. This is usually manifested by acute pain, swelling, and difficulty opening the mouth. Chronic infections are possible too and are usually asymptomatic. These can result in periodontal inflammation, caries, and possibly disease of the second molars. Besides infection, impacted wisdom teeth can result in odontological pathology, which is most commonly benign cysts or growth that arise from the impacted wisdom teeth. Even though benign, these can sometimes result in destruction of associated teeth and bone.

Treatment of wisdom teeth falls into two main categories. First is when the impacted tooth is infected, carious, or has associated pathology. The most common treatment is the extraction of the tooth. Alternatively, based on the impacted wisdom tooth’s position and the patient's age prophylactic extractions may be recommended. In other words, younger patients have been shown to have fewer complications and an easier postoperative course compared to older patients after wisdom tooth extractions. Therefore if a tooth appears to have a high risk of infection or harboring pathology, extraction is recommended before those issues occur.

One of the most concerning complications that can arise from the extraction of wisdom teeth is an injury to sensory nerves in the area. The most common ones are nerves in the tongue and the lower lip. This risk mainly depends on the anatomic position and the relationship of the impacted wisdom tooth to the nerve. Frequently when there is a concern for nerve injury is high, additional 3D imaging may be warranted. In cases where the intimate relationship between the inferior alveolar nerve and the roots of the impacted tooth is confirmed on the cone beam CT scan, a coronectomy may need to be performed. This is a procedure where a portion (the crown) of the tooth is removed and the roots of the tooth are left in place to avoid manipulation and possible injury of the nerve.

Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions

The third molars were likely a helpful tool for our ancestors, but these days, they tend to do more harm than good. If you need to have your wisdom teeth extracted, understanding how much this procedure costs is important. During your consultation with us, we will go over the expected cost in detail, so you won’t run into any surprises. Until then, here are some things to take into consideration.