If you are experiencing pain or discomfort from your growing wisdom teeth, we are here to help!
Older but not necessarily wiser
If a wisdom tooth will benefit from preemptive removal in order to prevent future problems, its extraction should be done earlier rather than later, ideally between the ages 16 to 22. Rather than waiting until wisdom teeth starts to cause issues before addressing them, earlier prophylactic removal have many benefits:
- for impacted lower wisdom teeth, it is advised to remove them when roots are between half to two-thirds formed (usually when one is between 16 to 18 years old). Compared to fully developed roots, at this time, the root tips are farther away from the large inferior alveolar nerve that courses along the lower jaw border. The surgery will carry less risk of nerve damage, which is the most common complication of lower wisdom teeth removal.
- younger patients have softer jawbone which is conducive to simpler surgery and better post-operative healing. When a person gets into their early to mid-20’s, especially for male patients, the jaw bone increases significantly in density. This greatly increases the difficulty of the surgery, and consequently increases the risks of complications and prolongs healing.
- performing wisdom teeth removal surgery when no inflammation or infection is present leads to less pain and swelling and faster healing afterwards
In many cases, damage caused by wisdom teeth is not visible on the surface. At Chinook Smiles, we encourage patients to take a panoramic full-mouth x-ray once every few years to monitor the condition of your jaw. This is also the only type of x-ray that will show the wisdom teeth.
Why choose Chinook Smiles?
Dr. Chloe Xu and Dr. Lisa Mallett are experienced dentists performing surgery for removal of moderate to difficult impacted wisdom teeth. We understand this surgery may be quite nerve-racking to many, so we offer many different sedation options to help take your mind off the surgery.
If you are worried about the pain and swelling after your surgery, you will also be happy to hear that Chinook Smiles offers PRF regeneration therapy to amp up your natural healing capacity to reduce post-operative discomfort. You also have the option to finish up the surgery with a quick session of photobiomodulation pain management with our Fotona LightWalker laser, which is shown to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation at the surgical site to further enhance healing and reduce pain.
For all of your wisdom teeth needs and inquiries, Chinook Smiles welcomes you to book an appointment for a consultation today. We can also discuss your wisdom teeth options with you at your next hygiene and check-up appointment – just ask!
FAQs
In most cases, wisdom teeth extraction does not affect teeth alignment or jaw structure, especially if done early. In fact, it often prevents crowding or alignment issues.
Recovery times vary but typically last a few days to a week. Patients can resume normal activities gradually but should follow post-extraction care instructions for optimal healing.
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks like dry socket, infection, nerve damage, or excessive bleeding. However, these are relatively rare and can be minimized with proper care.
Following the extraction, it’s advised to stick to soft foods and liquids initially. Gradually introduce solid foods as you heal, avoiding hard or crunchy items and foods with small seeds.
