WISDOM TEETH
Wisdom Teeth Roseville CA
Dr. Yang and the Sunshine Dental Care team aim to ensure you feel prepared and informed, going into your wisdom tooth extraction. Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from patients. We welcome you to call our office for any other questions or concerns.
WHAT ARE WISDOM TEETH?
Wisdom teeth are the third molars to erupt in the back of the mouth, typically occurring in your late teens or early twenties. They are the last adult teeth to come in, so they often cause problems to your existing teeth and gums.
WHY GET MY WISDOM TEETH TAKEN OUT?
Wisdom teeth usually don’t have enough room to emerge without disturbing their neighboring teeth. They can come in at extreme angles, causing pain and sensitivity when they misalign nearby teeth or get trapped between the jawbone and gums. If you don’t have your wisdom teeth removed, you may risk:
WHAT IS AN “IMPACTED” TOOTH?
A wisdom tooth is impacted if your jaw does not have enough space to accommodate the molar without disturbing surrounding teeth. An impacted tooth cannot naturally develop into the proper position for healthy oral function. Dr. Yang may take X-rays of your jaw to identify the type of impaction and determine the most effective way to remove the teeth:
Soft Tissue Impaction
A soft tissue impaction is when the tissue around the molar does not allow enough room for you to clean the tooth effectively.
Partial Bony Impaction
A partial bony impaction occurs when the tooth only partially erupts, hindering your ability to chew, brush and floss.
Complete Bony ImpactionA complete bony impaction is when the tooth has no room to erupt and stays embedded in your jawbone. The impaction can make surgery more complicated by becoming fixed at odd angles.
CAN I KEEP MY WISDOM TEETH?
Dr. Yang does not have to remove your wisdom teeth if they are not impacted. But, even if your third molars erupt naturally, they can still cause oral health problems down the road. Wisdom teeth are prone to disease, so most patients choose to have them removed as early as possible to avoid the chance of developing related health complications in the future.
WHEN SHOULD I GET A WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL?
For best results and the quickest recovery after your procedure, Dr. Yang recommends getting wisdom teeth removed as early as possible. Patients who wait too long to remove their wisdom teeth must undergo a more complex surgical approach.
Wisdom teeth have firmly established roots by your late twenties or early thirties. It takes longer than usual for your body to recover if Dr. Yang has to remove roots close to nerves in your jawbone. Your body recovers quickly if wisdom teeth come out before the roots and nerves are fully integrated, around the age of 16 or 17 years old.
DO I HAVE TO REMOVE ALL FOUR OF MY WISDOM TEETH?
Your third molars erupt at the back of the mouth on both sides of the top and bottom rows of teeth. You might have all four wisdom teeth erupt, or you might only have a few. Every patient’s case is different. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Yang to find out the best treatment for your wisdom teeth.
HOW LONG DOES THE REMOVAL PROCEDURE TAKE?
Depending on your case, a wisdom tooth removal procedure might take as little as an hour. A few hours may be necessary if Dr. Yang removes multiple impacted teeth.
HOW LONG DO I NEED TO RECOVER FROM THE PROCEDURE?
Your body dictates how long you need to recover from surgery, and everyone’s body is different. Typically, patients recover and return to everyday life within 3 to 5 days. You should give yourself at least two days after surgery before resuming any physical activity.
DOES IT HURT TO GET MY WISDOM TEETH TAKEN OUT?
No, you do not feel anything during the procedure. Dr. Yang will administer a local anesthetic and numb the immediate surgical area. Patients are asleep for the duration of the surgery and numb to any feeling around the jaw. Your face and jaw might feel sensitive and sore when the anesthesia wears off. Often, the best way to manage pain and swelling is with ibuprofen and an ice pack. Dr. Yang will provide all the information you need for managing any possible discomfort for the first 48 to 72 hours post-surgery.
WILL I BE CONSCIOUS DURING THE PROCEDURE?
If you want to be conscious during the extraction, Dr. Yang can accommodate your request while ensuring you cannot feel anything. Most patients choose a form of sedation for the procedure. At your initial consultation, Dr. Yang will go over your medical history and discuss the best sedation options for your procedure.
IS IT SAFE TO BE UNDER SEDATION?
Dr. Yang and your surgical team ensure your safety while under oral sedation. You are under constant monitoring, and breathing naturally. We ensure that your wisdom tooth removal experience is peaceful, safe, and seamless.
WHAT ARE WISDOM TEETH?
Wisdom teeth are the third molars to erupt in the back of the mouth, typically occurring in your late teens or early twenties. They are the last adult teeth to come in, so they often cause problems to your existing teeth and gums.
WHY GET MY WISDOM TEETH TAKEN OUT?
Wisdom teeth usually don’t have enough room to emerge without disturbing their neighboring teeth. They can come in at extreme angles, causing pain and sensitivity when they misalign nearby teeth or get trapped between the jawbone and gums. If you don’t have your wisdom teeth removed, you may risk:
- Infection
- Cysts Formation
- Crowding
- Damage to Adjacent Teeth
WHAT IS AN “IMPACTED” TOOTH?
A wisdom tooth is impacted if your jaw does not have enough space to accommodate the molar without disturbing surrounding teeth. An impacted tooth cannot naturally develop into the proper position for healthy oral function. Dr. Yang may take X-rays of your jaw to identify the type of impaction and determine the most effective way to remove the teeth:
Soft Tissue Impaction
A soft tissue impaction is when the tissue around the molar does not allow enough room for you to clean the tooth effectively.
Partial Bony Impaction
A partial bony impaction occurs when the tooth only partially erupts, hindering your ability to chew, brush and floss.
Complete Bony ImpactionA complete bony impaction is when the tooth has no room to erupt and stays embedded in your jawbone. The impaction can make surgery more complicated by becoming fixed at odd angles.
CAN I KEEP MY WISDOM TEETH?
Dr. Yang does not have to remove your wisdom teeth if they are not impacted. But, even if your third molars erupt naturally, they can still cause oral health problems down the road. Wisdom teeth are prone to disease, so most patients choose to have them removed as early as possible to avoid the chance of developing related health complications in the future.
WHEN SHOULD I GET A WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL?
For best results and the quickest recovery after your procedure, Dr. Yang recommends getting wisdom teeth removed as early as possible. Patients who wait too long to remove their wisdom teeth must undergo a more complex surgical approach.
Wisdom teeth have firmly established roots by your late twenties or early thirties. It takes longer than usual for your body to recover if Dr. Yang has to remove roots close to nerves in your jawbone. Your body recovers quickly if wisdom teeth come out before the roots and nerves are fully integrated, around the age of 16 or 17 years old.
DO I HAVE TO REMOVE ALL FOUR OF MY WISDOM TEETH?
Your third molars erupt at the back of the mouth on both sides of the top and bottom rows of teeth. You might have all four wisdom teeth erupt, or you might only have a few. Every patient’s case is different. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Yang to find out the best treatment for your wisdom teeth.
HOW LONG DOES THE REMOVAL PROCEDURE TAKE?
Depending on your case, a wisdom tooth removal procedure might take as little as an hour. A few hours may be necessary if Dr. Yang removes multiple impacted teeth.
HOW LONG DO I NEED TO RECOVER FROM THE PROCEDURE?
Your body dictates how long you need to recover from surgery, and everyone’s body is different. Typically, patients recover and return to everyday life within 3 to 5 days. You should give yourself at least two days after surgery before resuming any physical activity.
DOES IT HURT TO GET MY WISDOM TEETH TAKEN OUT?
No, you do not feel anything during the procedure. Dr. Yang will administer a local anesthetic and numb the immediate surgical area. Patients are asleep for the duration of the surgery and numb to any feeling around the jaw. Your face and jaw might feel sensitive and sore when the anesthesia wears off. Often, the best way to manage pain and swelling is with ibuprofen and an ice pack. Dr. Yang will provide all the information you need for managing any possible discomfort for the first 48 to 72 hours post-surgery.
WILL I BE CONSCIOUS DURING THE PROCEDURE?
If you want to be conscious during the extraction, Dr. Yang can accommodate your request while ensuring you cannot feel anything. Most patients choose a form of sedation for the procedure. At your initial consultation, Dr. Yang will go over your medical history and discuss the best sedation options for your procedure.
IS IT SAFE TO BE UNDER SEDATION?
Dr. Yang and your surgical team ensure your safety while under oral sedation. You are under constant monitoring, and breathing naturally. We ensure that your wisdom tooth removal experience is peaceful, safe, and seamless.