Wisdom Teeth

By the age of eighteen, the average adult has 32 teeth; 16 teeth on the top and 16 teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth or molar teeth are used to grind food up into a consistency suitable for swallowing. The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These four other teeth are your Third Molars, also known as “wisdom teeth.”

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, we can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there may be present or future problems. If extraction is necessary, we will create a custom treatment plan just for you. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient.

The removal of wisdom teeth can be performed in the office as an outpatient surgery under local anesthesia, nitrous oxide analgesia (laughing gas) or IV sedation to maximize patient comfort. Dr. Kyle Smith, DDS has the training, license and expertise to provide various types of anesthesia for patients. These options as well as the surgical risks will be discussed with you before the procedure is performed. Once the teeth are removed, the gum is sutured. To help control bleeding, bite down on the gauze placed in your mouth. You will rest under our supervision in the office until you are ready to be taken home. Upon discharge, your post-operative kit will include postoperative instructions and a prescription for pain medication. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.