Wisdom teeth, alternatively called the third molars, receive their name by virtue of being the final teeth to erupt before adulthood. Once a wisdom tooth has erupted, it should be periodically reviewed by an oral and maxillofacial expert to determine whether it is healthy and correctly positioned.

In certain cases, it may become necessary to remove the wisdom teeth. The extraction procedure should only be performed by a fully trained and qualified surgeon for safe and predictable results. Judicious and committed oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon McLain provides wisdom teeth removal treatment to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and other cities and suburbs in this area of the country.

 

Need for Removal

If the surgeon finds evidence of changes in the mouth as described below, they may recommend the removal of wisdom teeth:

• Infection and pain
• Severe tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Tumors
• Cysts
• Damage to adjacent teeth

Removal of a wisdom tooth may also be recommended as a part of a restorative, preventative, orthodontic or periodontal treatment plan. In cases where the wisdom teeth are not removed, it is advisable for the patient to periodically visit the dentist for monitoring of the potential development problems. The changes of problems related to wisdom teeth often increase with age.

 

Extraction

Depending on the position of the wisdom teeth and their stage of develop, the extraction procedure will be planned. During the pre-extraction exam, the surgeon will educate the patient about the procedure. Once the wisdom tooth has grown fully through the gum, its extraction becomes as easy as any other tooth. But if the wisdom tooth exists below the gum line and is embedded in the jaw bone, an incision in the gums will have to be made.

Through this incision, the oral surgeon will remove a part of the bone that lies over the tooth in order to create a passage for the removal of the unwanted tooth. In this condition, the wisdom tooth is often extracted in multiple sections rather than in a single piece.

This approach will allow the surgeon to conserve the maximum part of the bone and get the tooth out. Experienced and sagacious oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas in The Heart of Dixie for wisdom tooth removal.

 

Local Anesthesia and Sedation

To begin the procedure, the surgeon will first numb the wisdom tooth and the surrounding tissue with a local anesthetic. The anesthetic used in this case may be similar to what is used to numb a tooth before filling a cavity. The surgeon may also decide to apply mild sedation in order to ensure complete comfort of the patient throughout the procedure.

 

Recovery

Once the wisdom tooth has been extracted, some patients may have little bleeding for a few hours. Mild facial swelling may occur in the extraction site, which can be minimized with ice therapy. The treatment provider may prescribe some pain meds for the first few days. A course of antibiotics may also be prescribed to minimize infection risks.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.