Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Guilderland, NY

What are Wisdom Teeth?

The wisdom teeth are actually a third set of molars. While they proved very useful for our caveman ancestors (who dealt with much more tooth loss than modern humans), today, they only tend to be a nuisance. It’s believed they are intended to replace the molars in front of them, which for most young adults WAY back when, would have been worn down and broken thanks to a rough diet consisting mostly of uncooked vegetables and dried meats.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

When the wisdom teeth become stuck, or impacted, this can create a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including pain towards the back of the mouth, shifting teeth, a flap in the gums that traps food, and even an infection. Typically, the best way to stop these issues and prevent others from developing in the future is to simply remove these teeth. The procedure usually takes just one or two appointments depending on the number of teeth, and the recovery time is often less than a week.

What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure

The very first step is always the same: numbing your mouth. That way, you don’t feel any pain during your time in the treatment chair. Once you’re ready to begin, our talented and experienced emergency dentist will gently grip the tooth, rock it loose, and extract it. Unless, of course, the wisdom tooth that needs to be removed is trapped underneath your gumline. In that case, Dr. Oshins will need to make an incision in your gums first to access it. Then, he will remove it piece by piece, helping to preserve your jawbone in the process.

Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction

After we’ve removed your wisdom teeth, we will send you home with aftercare instructions, like:

• Take prescribed or OTC pain medication (as directed)
• Stick to soft foods, like plain yogurt
• Avoid using a straw, smoking, or spitting
• Change the gauze as needed
• Keep your head elevated
• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated
• Use a cold compress to alleviate swelling