Impacted Wisdom Teeth – Sometimes there isn’t enough space inside of the jaw to accommodate the final set of molars, known as wisdom teeth. If they cannot erupt properly, they can become impacted against other teeth, can cause infections, create tooth damage, or change the bite alignment. Wisdom teeth removal can prevent crowding and eliminate inflammation or infection.
In most cases, tooth extractions are uneventful procedures that last only a few minutes. Because we’ve already taken x-rays before the procedure, we’ll know exactly the status of the tooth to be removed. We’ll anesthetize the tooth, gum, and bone with a local numbing agent for a patient who will remain awake during the procedure. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is also available for those who are feeling anxious during the procedure. During the extraction, the patient should only feel pressure, not pain. In most cases, Dr. Schmidt can use dental forceps and applied pressure to the socket, rather than surgical intervention.
In some cases, Dr. Schmidt may recommend full sedation, especially if there is more than one tooth to be removed. In this instance, the patient is given anesthesia intravenously to prevent pain. Patients who undergo this type of anesthesia will have no memory of the procedure. In either case, our patient’s comfort is our top priority.
