Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Wisdom Teeth Extractions Services Offered in Federal Way, WA
When your wisdom teeth emerge, your jaw may not have room to support them. The team of experienced family and general dentists at WA Dental in Federal Way, Washington, understand how quickly impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and damage your oral health. To protect your smile, the team performs comprehensive wisdom teeth.
Request Appointment
Wisdom Teeth Extractions Q&A
What are wisdom teeth extractions?
Wisdom teeth surface as the final molars in the back of your mouth. You have two in your upper arch and two in your lower arch. Because wisdom teeth don’t develop until ages 17 to 21, your jaw is fully developed by the time they arrive. Your jaw may not have enough room to support these extra teeth, leading to impactions, pain, and infection.
At WA Dental, the team performs wisdom teeth extractions to prevent complications and preserve your oral health.
Why might I need wisdom teeth extractions?
Wisdom teeth rarely emerge through the gum line without any complications. While some partially break through, others become completely trapped beneath the gum line. Wisdom teeth can grow sideways into adjacent teeth, break apart, or become infected.
It can be challenging to know whether you have impacted wisdom teeth. That’s why the WA Dental team recommends visiting for dental exams and teeth cleanings once every six months. A digital X-ray can help identify impacted or damaged wisdom teeth.
Other signs you need a wisdom tooth extraction are:
- Pain when chewing
- Facial swelling
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Bad breath
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Sore, tender gums
- Headaches
- Earaches
Without treatment, impacted wisdom teeth can increase your risk of periodontal disease and dental abscesses, pus-filled sacs that form over the tooth root.
What can I expect from wisdom teeth extractions?
Before your extraction, the WA Dental team administers a sedative and local anesthesia for your comfort. Next, they make incisions in your gums and use special surgical tools to remove the tooth. If the tooth is fractured, the team carefully extracts each piece to minimize your risk of infection. Finally, they clean out the tooth chamber and close the incisions.
You should get a ride home after your procedure, as you may feel dizzy or lightheaded afterward. The team packs your gums with gauze, which you should change periodically.
How do I care for my mouth after wisdom teeth extractions?
Your mouth may be sore and tender after wisdom teeth extractions. The team may prescribe pain medication or recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. You should rinse your mouth carefully to prevent infection and only eat soft foods for the first couple of days. Avoid sucking on a straw to protect your sutures.
While your face may swell after the procedure, this should subside within a few days. Most patients recover from wisdom teeth extractions within two weeks.
Call WA Dental today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about wisdom teeth extractions