Wisdom Tooth Extraction - Dallas, TX
Safe and Effective Tooth Removal
In most situations, the team at Mariya Barnett, DDS Family & Cosmetic Dentistry work hard to help patients keep their natural smiles, but there are cases where removing one or more teeth is the best option to maintain the optimal level of oral health. In these situations, we’ll recommend tooth extraction. The most commonly extracted teeth are the last to erupt from the gum line. This third set of molars called wisdom teeth are often removed because there is not enough space to accommodate them within the smile line. Skilled restorative dentist, Dr. Mariya Barnett, offers safe, comfortable wisdom tooth extractions, and treatments to help patients fully restore their smiles after tooth loss. If you want to learn more about wisdom tooth removal or any of the other preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry services available in our Dallas dental practice, give our team a call. We’ll be happy to answer your questions or schedule a treatment consultation appointment.
When We Recommend Wisdom Tooth Extraction
We recommend wisdom tooth extraction when it is the best way for patients to maintain healthy oral function. Some of the situations where wisdom tooth extraction may be unavoidable include:
- Impaction – tooth is unable to fully erupt from the gum line
- Crowding – there is not enough room for the additional teeth in the gum line
- Dental drift – surrounding teeth are moved out of position by the developing third molars
- Infection and decay – often occurs when wisdom teeth are impacted which can irritate and inflame the soft tissue and trap bacteria and plaque on the tooth’s surface leading to decay
How Wisdom Teeth are Removed
If your wisdom teeth are fully erupted from the gum line, we may be able to “pull” them. That involves using a metal clasp to shift the teeth back and forth until it breaks free from the socket. If the tooth is not fully erupted from the gum line or we are not able to pull the tooth free, surgical removal may be necessary. This can be as simple as cutting away a small amount of connective soft tissue or a much more complex procedure that requires us to break the tooth into numerous smaller pieces before cutting it away from the supportive bone and gum tissue.
What to Expect Following Tooth Extraction
Following wisdom tooth extraction, you may have some swelling, light bleeding, and discomfort. However, using pain relieving medications and ice packs as directed should allow you to maintain comfort as your extraction site heals. If you experience severe pain or sensitivity or your discomfort increases, you may be experiencing dry socket, infection, or another complications. Contact our team right away. We can walk you through first aid and pain management over the phone and schedule an appointment to see you in our office.