Your wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in your permanent adult dentition. You may not need to have your wisdom teeth removed if they do not crowd adjacent teeth and the gum tissue surrounding them remains healthy. However, if your wisdom teeth do not come in straight, they may push on adjacent teeth causing either infection, pain, cavities or movement in adjacent teeth and will need to be removed. Dr. Gerard Wasselle in Fort Lauderdale has over 28 years of experience in removal of wisdom teeth and offers IV sedation for your comfort.
Wisdom teeth extraction, when needed, is recommended in young adulthood. During your regular dental check-up, your dentist will use x-rays to monitor your wisdom teeth and will make recommendations for removal based your particular need. When needed, early removal is recommended for several reasons. It is best to remove wisdom teeth before they cause crowding, pain (toothache), or infection. Early removal is also beneficial as the roots of the teeth continue to grow as the patient ages developing roots that are more integrated into the jawbone, and therefore, more difficult to extract. Because the extraction is usually more simple in young adults, the recovery time is typically quicker in young patients.
Many people think wisdom teeth are something that is only a problem for teenagers. They either grow in the wrong way or start irritating from the start. That’s not necessarily the case. Wisdom teeth can grow into your mouth without irritating first, but over time develop problems. As time goes on wisdom teeth further develop their roots and the bones in your mouth become harder. This makes extraction more difficult and recovery longer. When you’re young it’s easier to recover and can be simpler to remove the wisdom teeth.
Impacted wisdom teeth can take up space in a narrow dental arch causing crowding and crooked teeth. Misaligned teeth are usually corrected with the help of braces. Your orthodontist may recommend the removal of third molar teeth prior to an orthodontic treatment. Extraction of wisdom teeth creates more room for proper alignment of misaligned teeth.
Proper brushing can be difficult since third molar teeth lie at the back of the mouth and do not always erupt fully. Soft tissue growth over a partially erupted wisdom tooth is called an operculum. Bacteria can get trapped under the operculum. That allows an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause infection and swelling. Your gums easily become inflamed, red, and can even have pus or infection around them. This makes third molars more predisposed to cavities and can also lead to the root resorption and cavity formation in the adjacent tooth (see photo). To prevent such complications it is advisable to remove partially erupted third molars.
If you are feeling apprehensive about having your wisdom teeth removed, Gerard Wasselle, DMD, at Excellence in Dentistry offers sedation dentistry in Fort Lauderdale to help make your procedure more comfortable and relaxing. IV sedation involves administering an anti-anxiety medication through IV directly into the bloodstream. While you not actually asleep, IV sedation does help you relax and feel peaceful. IV sedation is the most safe and predictable sedation technique used in dentistry. During your entire procedure, our team will continuously monitor you with electrocardiogram (EKG), pulse oximeter and blood pressure monitor to ensure your wellbeing.
Call Dr. Gerard Wasselle at Excellence in Dentistry to schedule your consultation for wisdom teeth extraction with IV sedation: 954-928-1666. Our office is conveniently located at 2480 E. Commercial Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
