The wisdom teeth typically emerge between ages 17 and 25. But rather than bring wisdom, these third molars are notorious for causing complications, including pain, infection, and damage to the nearby teeth. Dr. Maria Wytko and her patient-friendly team at TKO Dentistry offer wisdom teeth extractions, prioritizing your comfort and well-being. You can count on us for outstanding, compassionate care every step of the way. 

Why Would You Need to Have Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

Your wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last to come in. Unfortunately, many patients don’t have room in their mouths for these additional teeth to erupt correctly, leading to a host of complications. The following are some of the reasons why you may require wisdom teeth extraction: 

• Impaction: Wisdom teeth are often impacted, meaning they are trapped beneath the gums or within the jawbone, posing a risk to your oral health. 
• Crowding: The third molars sometimes come in at the wrong angle, placing pressure on the neighboring teeth, which can lead to misalignment and crowding. 
• Damage to Neighboring Teeth: The pressure from your erupting wisdom teeth can cause damage to the roots of the adjacent molars.   
• Risk of Infection: Partially erupted wisdom teeth often create pockets where food and bacteria can become trapped, increasing the risk of gum infections.   
• Cysts: In some cases, cysts can develop around impacted wisdom teeth, causing damage to your surrounding teeth and jawbone.
• Tooth Decay or Gum Disease: Due to their hard-to-reach location at the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth are hard to clean effectively, leaving them prone to developing cavities and infections. 
• Prevention: At times, we may recommend having your wisdom teeth extracted if they have the potential to cause problems. 

What Can You Expect?

We will start by evaluating your wisdom teeth and may recommend taking digital X-rays to assess their position, size, and condition, as well as the surrounding bone and oral structures. Based on these images, we will determine the best course of action. 

During the procedure, we will numb the area with a local anesthetic for a pain-free experience. We also offer sedation dentistry options, as needed, to help you feel calm and relaxed during treatment. You may feel pressure as we remove your wisdom teeth, but you should not feel pain. 

How Can You Promote Healing After Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

After we remove your wisdom teeth, you’ll bite down on gauze to control any bleeding and to help a blood clot form, which helps promote healing. Make sure to follow the post-operative instructions we provide and take any prescribed pain-relief medication, as needed, for your comfort. 

It’s important to avoid drinking from a straw, spitting, rinsing vigorously, or smoking for the first 48 hours. Otherwise, you may accidentally dislodge the blood clot forming in the extracted tooth’s socket, which can lead to a painful condition known as dry socket. 

We also recommend consuming soft foods and avoiding hot or spicy foods for a few days. Continue gentle brushing and flossing while avoiding the extraction site, and use an ice pack, as needed, to reduce swelling. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns in the days following your wisdom teeth extraction.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions Near Me in North Scottsdale, AZ

If you have questions or would like to learn more about wisdom teeth extraction, contact TKO Dentistry to schedule a consultation. Dr. Wytko and her dedicated team are committed to offering top-tier care with a gentle touch, ensuring you have the best possible experience. We care about our patients, which shows in everything we do!

We invite you to call us at (480) 896-7888 to schedule an appointment or follow this link to request one today! We look forward to caring for all your dental needs.