If you need your wisdom teeth removed in Camas, WA, we encourage you to visit Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. Our doctors are experts at extracting wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, and can ensure you receive the highest quality treatment.
Most people’s third molars emerge in the mid to late teens. If you’re experiencing pain in the back of the mouth behind your second molars, it’s likely that your wisdom teeth are developing. Unfortunately, most patients’ mouths are only equipped to hold 28 teeth — 14 in the maxilla and 14 in the mandible — and are therefore not large enough to properly accommodate the growth of third molars.
Do I need my wisdom teeth removed?
The bicuspids, incisors, and canines — the teeth in the front of the mouth — allow you to chew properly, but wisdom teeth provide a grinding power that we simply don’t need with our diets. In fact, there are more problems than benefits associated with wisdom teeth, which is why it’s best to have them removed. It’s extremely common for wisdom teeth to begin developing sideways when there’s not enough room in the back of the jaw. When this happens, they can grow right into the roots of the nearby second molars and damage the teeth. If the teeth are not removed before this happens, it can cause a chain reaction of dental shifting, damaging other teeth such as maxillary and mandibular incisors, canines, and other molars. Our team recommends having wisdom teeth removed to prevent
- Oral pain and discomfort
- Damage to adjacent teeth
- Dental crowding
- Impaction, infection, cysts, and even tumors
If you have suffered any jaw pain, have been told your wisdom teeth are developing improperly or impacted, or been recommended to our office for extraction, we encourage you to contact our office. We can help develop a personalized treatment plan for your removal.
How do I know when it’s time to have my wisdom teeth removed?
The best practice is to have wisdom teeth removed early, before they begin causing problems for your oral health. Removing the teeth during early development typically helps prevent impaction, which occurs when the teeth are trapped beneath the gums. Impacted is one of the main causes of infection, discomfort, and other issues. If your teeth have already emerged, we can still remove them, much like any other tooth extraction. Wisdom teeth can be removed at any age. When you visit our office for a consultation, we can determine the position of your molars and develop a treatment to fit your needs.
The Extraction Process
Treatment for every patient is different and will depend on several factors, including the stage of the molar’s development and whether they’re impacted. At your consultation, your oral surgeon will review any existing X-rays as well as take any additional 3D scans needed. These images will help him determine the exact position of your teeth and develop a detailed treatment plan for extraction.
With our office recommending early extraction, most removals are performed when the teeth are still beneath the gums. At your surgical appointment, your doctor will administer anesthesia to help you feel relaxed and comfortable. This will also prevent you from feeling any discomfort during the procedure, when he will carefully open the gums and extract the teeth. In some cases, he may break the teeth into several pieces; this allows a smaller surgical site and an easier removal process. When all the teeth have been removed, your gums have been stitched up, and your anesthesia has worn off, you will return home for recovery.
In most cases, healing takes only a couple days before patients can return to a normal diet and routine. Our office will provide you with instructions for post-operative care to ensure you recover quickly and comfortably. If you have any questions, we’d be happy to answer them.
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Camas, WA
The doctors at Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons are experts at extracting third molars. If you’ve been recommended for wisdom teeth removal or are suffering from jaw pain in the back of your mouth, we encourage you to visit our practice in Camas, WA, for a consultation. Feel free to contact our office to set up an appointment.