The third molars, or the wisdom teeth, are the last tooth to emerge into the mouth. They come in when you’re in your late teens or early 20s when you’re just about a little “wiser.”
Ironically, the third molars are not the wisest in your set of teeth. Because they appear late, usually, the jaws do not have enough space to accommodate them.
This causes your wisdom teeth to come out at an angle, pushing against your second molar. Sometimes, they do not even erupt at all. These are called impacted wisdom teeth, and they bring more harm than good.
So, if you are experiencing this, it is recommended that you get a third molar extraction. Here are some of the questions most asked about extraction of third molar:
1. How is third molar extraction done?
The third molar extraction technique generally involves three steps — assessment, planning, and surgical removal. The wisdom teeth may be partially or fully impacted in the jaw; this requires a different approach for removal. This is determined step-by-step and explained by your dentist before the procedure.
2. Why should my third molar be removed?
Several reasons warrant a third molar extraction. This includes:
- hard to clean
- dental decay
- severe pain
- gingivitis
- bad breath
- crooked teeth
- jaw joint issues
The third molars do not have a solid function in the mouth. Often, these teeth are hard or nearly impossible to clean creating a portal for bad bacteria to enter the blood stream and wreak havoc on our arteries leading to various conditions, including heart attacks and stroke. So, before any problems arise, removing them will be more beneficial to achieve optimal oral and systemic health.
3. Is third molar extraction painful?
During your third molar extraction procedure, your dentist always administers anesthesia before they begin. This will numb the area so that you will feel little to no pain.
Some pressure may be felt as the tooth is loosened from the socket. But overall, our goal is to keep you as comfortable as possible.
4. What happens after the third molar extraction?
After getting the third molar removed, your dentist will inform you of tips to facilitate ideal healing. Keep this in mind to prevent third molar extraction complications such as infection.
Within 24 hours, you can expect to experience pain and bleeding. These are normal, especially for extensive surgical extraction of the third molar. Facial swelling and difficulty opening the mouth are other symptoms you should look out for.
5. How long is third molar extraction recovery?
In about seven days, your dentist may call you back to the clinic to assess your healing progress. The surgical area should be healing nicely, but not fully recovered at this time.
The wound should close in about 10-14 days, and you should feel relieved of any symptoms related to the extraction of your third molar.
If you experience prolonged bleeding or pain, call your dentist as soon as possible so they can pinpoint the cause and provide urgent treatment.
Third Molar Extraction at Narducci Dental Group
If you are experiencing symptoms such as pain in the back of your mouth, the strain on the jaws, and head or ear aches, then it may be time to schedule an appointment with our team to check on your third molar.
Call us today to book a visit and discover safe third molar surgery.
