Wisdom Teeth Removal, Baltimore, MD

Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third and last permanent molars to develop, usually in your late teens or early twenties. Sometimes these teeth erupt into the mouth and are properly aligned, but most often they are misaligned and require removal.

Many people’s jaws are too small for wisdom teeth to erupt into the mouth and the teeth often become impacted (unable to fully erupt). They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. These poorly positioned teeth can cause acute (sudden) problems, chronic (ongoing) problems, or no problems at all.

Pressure from erupting wisdom teeth may disrupt the natural alignment of other teeth. Partially erupted wisdom teeth make brushing and flossing difficult and are prone to tooth decay and gum disease. More seriously, tumors or cysts can form around impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy adjacent teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth can become infected, leading to swelling, stiffness, pain, and fever.

Your dentist may recommend removal of your wisdom teeth before problems develop. This is especially true in your teenage years, when the wisdom teeth’s roots are not fully developed and the surrounding bone is less dense. At this stage, surgical risks, potential complications, and post-operative recovery time are reduced. Studies have documented that early treatment results in a superior outcome following surgery.

Your Dental Evaluation

Your general dentist will most likely refer you for removal of your wisdom teeth. During your initial visit, we will evaluate your x-rays, perform a complete oral examination, and review your dental and medical history. We will discuss the need for removal of your wisdom teeth and the potential risks and complications involved with your surgery. We will discuss your options for anesthesia, including local anesthesia, nitrous oxide analgesia (“laughing gas”), sedation, or general anesthesia. Finally, we will explain what you can expect post-operatively. Following your evaluation, we will review your pre-operative instructions and schedule your surgery appointment.

 

Removing Your Wisdom Teeth 

We will remove your wisdom teeth in one of our surgical operatories. The surgical approach will vary depending on the position of your wisdom teeth, whether they are erupted or impacted, and how close the roots of your wisdom teeth are to your sinuses and nerves. An incision is frequently made in the gum and is closed with resorbable sutures. Upon discharge, we will give you post operative instructions after dental extractions / wisdom teeth, a prescription for pain medication (and possibly one for an antibiotic), and extra gauze pads. If you have any concerns after your surgery, you may contact your surgeon at any time for assistance.

We provide surgery in an environment of ultimate safety, utilizing modern monitoring equipment operated by surgical team members who are experienced in anesthesia techniques.

If you have any questions, please contact us at our Hunt Valley office at 410-666-5225 or at our Owings Mills office at 410-363-7780.