Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Lubbock, TX
Remove Your Tooth, Save Your Smile!
Wisdom teeth removal is often looked at as a rite of passage; something everyone goes through with the help of cold compresses, ice cream, and OTC pain medication. Although they don’t always need to be extracted, it’s often recommended as a preventive measure to ensure that your teeth remain aligned and healthy down the road. If you’re not sure whether you have wisdom teeth that need to be removed or you’d like to learn more about how this process works, please contact our dental office today to learn more about wisdom tooth extractions in Lubbock, TX.
Why Choose Kevin Shively, DMD for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- In-House Wisdom Tooth Extractions
- Experienced & Honest Dentist
- In-House & Third-Party Financing Available
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars. Typically, they grow in between the ages of 16 and 25, which is how they earned their nickname. As we mentioned above, there are some cases where they grow in perfectly straight, they don’t cause any pain, and there is plenty of room for them, so they don’t have to be removed. Unfortunately, however, that’s usually not the case.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Here are some of the situations in which Dr. Shively may suggest having your wisdom teeth removed:
- They’re impacted below the gums.
- They’re causing intense pain.
- There’s not enough room in your mouth to accommodate extra teeth.
- You could form a cyst that could damage your jawbone.
- You’d be at an increased risk for infection.
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
Naturally, patients are curious what to expect. More specifically, they want to know if this emergency dentistry procedure will hurt. Don’t worry – the first step is numbing your mouth thoroughly so you don’t feel any pain. Plus, sedation dentistry is available for more extensive procedures or simply for those who struggle with dental-related anxiety.
The procedure will look slightly different depending on if your wisdom teeth have broken through the gumline or if they are impacted underneath the surface. In the first scenario, Dr. Shively will gently rock the tooth loose until it’s ready to be removed. In the second scenario, he will need to create a small incision to access the tooth before removing it.
Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction
After your procedure, it’s important to keep the extraction site clean and only eat a soft diet. To help minimize swelling, you can place a cold compress on your cheeks for 10 minutes at a time, for up to an hour. Be sure to leave the dressings on the surgical sites for at least a half-hour to help the blood clot. To avoid dry sockets, you’ll need to avoid drinking from a straw and smoking. If you run into any issues after your treatment, don’t hesitate to call our team.