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Wisdom Teeth Extraction – Savannah, GA

Expert Care for Troublesome Teeth

The wisdom teeth are usually the very last ones to come in, and typically, they only cause problems when they do. Most people simply don’t have enough room in their gum line for these teeth, leading them to become impacted or stuck. This can cause pain towards the back of the jaw, put pressure on the nearby teeth, and even bring about an infection. To help patients dealing with these troublesome teeth, Dr. Fana is able to provide safe and effective wisdom tooth extractions in Savannah. Thanks to his gentle touch and years of experience, patients can look forward to a pain-free experience from beginning to end. Contact us to schedule an appointment where we can determine if or when you need a wisdom teeth extraction in Savannah.

Why Choose Compass Dental for Wisdom Teeth Extractions?

  • Multiple Types of Sedation Available
  • State-of-the-Art Dental Office
  • Hospital General Practice Residency-Trained Dentist

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Extracted?

impacted wisdom tooth

Wisdom teeth may need to be taken out for several reasons, the most common being impaction or infection. Impaction is when the wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are blocked from coming in, whether it’s by the jawbone or other teeth. Sometimes these teeth become tilted underneath a flap of gum tissue. Particles of food and bacteria can then become trapped under the flap, which may result in swelling and an infection known as pericoronitis.

Sometimes third molars end up pushing against other teeth. This not only can cause serious pain, but may end up undoing previous orthodontic work. In this case, it’s important to get these problematic teeth removed as soon as possible by Dr. Fana, your trusted dentist in Savannah.

When Is a Good Time to Undergo the Procedure?

a man with wisdom tooth pain

Most of the time, wisdom teeth start to erupt in your late teens and early twenties. Some people opt to have them preemptively taken out while still in high school to prevent problems like infection and impaction. Ultimately, Dr. Fana will have to take a look to determine whether yours need to be removed or not.

If they are causing problems and need to be extracted, it’s usually best to do so when you’re still young. This is because the tooth roots are not quite as developed yet. Younger people also heal much faster than older folks. As you get older, it may take more time to recover from tooth extraction.

What Is the Process Like?

wisdom teeth on x-ray

Dr. Fana will first make sure you receive enough sedation to be completely soothed during your procedure. Then, he will create small incisions in the gum tissue to access the wisdom teeth. He may have to cut the tooth into several smaller pieces to effectively remove it. Next, he will stich up the wound and apply gauze to the area to prevent bleeding and allow a blood clot to begin forming. Follow Dr. Fana’s aftercare instructions to a T, and you should be good to go. If you choose any option other than strictly local anesthetic, you’ll need someone to drive you home after the procedure.

How to Care for Your Mouth Afterwards

woman applying cold compress to face

Caring for your mouth after wisdom teeth extraction in Savannah is crucial. For the first day, you’ll need to keep pressure on the extraction sites by gently biting down on gauze. Dr. Fana will let you know how often the gauze will have to be replaced. Take prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications as needed. Be sure to stick to soft foods for the next couple of days. Gradually introduce harder and chewier foods into your diet as you heal. Applying a cold compress to your face can help with swelling and pain.

Perhaps the most important thing is to avoid dry socket. This is a painful condition where the blood clot forming over the wound becomes dislodged. If this happens, you’ll essentially have to start the healing process over. Avoiding dry socket is easy if you don’t spit too vigorously for a few days after your procedure. When you rinse your mouth out, simply open your mouth over the sink and let the rinse fall out. Also, avoid drinking through a straw at all costs for a couple of weeks. This suction can dislodge the blood clot. In addition, don’t smoke. Tobacco can seriously harm the healing process and cause dry socket.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs

A dental x-ray of a wisdom tooth laying underneath a dentist’s tool

Are you considering wisdom tooth extractions in Savannah? If so, you can trust our office for care – Dr. Fana knows his way around wisdom teeth! Still, perhaps you’d like to learn more about extractions first. Getting the right facts before treatment will settle whether it’s right for you. Well, we at Compass Dental can help with that, too: here are the answers to some oft-asked wisdom tooth questions. They’ll give you a sense of how extractions work. If you’d like extra details, just call us – we’ll happily explain.

Does Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth?

Not everyone has wisdom teeth. Most people have all four, but some lack at least one. Others, meanwhile, don’t have any whatsoever.

 

This fact is borne out by present-day research. In particular, studies suggest that 5-37% of the global population is missing at least one wisdom tooth. As for why some people don’t get third molars, genetics is a likely factor. You might be missing a wisdom tooth if one (or both) of your parents didn’t have all of them.

 

Of course, the best way to confirm your wisdom tooth number is by seeing your dentist. They’ll take dental X-rays to see how many of these teeth you have.

 

What’s the Best Age to Get Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Technically, there’s no specific age by which a person must get their wisdom teeth pulled. Patients can be young or old when they receive extraction. That said, most dentists recommend wisdom tooth removal in early adulthood.

 

You see, extracting wisdom teeth is easier for younger patients. These pearly whites’ roots grow more embedded over time. As such, putting off a removal procedure will just make it more complicated. Receiving treatment in high school or college, though, reduces the potential recovery period and provides flexibility with appointment times. You could then schedule the surgery and heal around a long weekend or holiday break.

 

How Long Does Wisdom Tooth Surgery Take?

The timespan for wisdom teeth extraction varies by patient. Depending on a tooth’s location and whether it’s impacted, the process can take more or less time. Even so, it usually takes 15-20 minutes to extract just one wisdom tooth. Removing all four, then, can make the treatment last up to 90 minutes.

 

Thankfully, extraction doesn’t feel lengthy, regardless of timing. It relies on sedation to keep you numb and relaxed for care. As a result, you’ll barely sense the passage of time as it proceeds. The whole process might even seem instantaneous!

 

How Should I Prepare for My Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Prior to the actual extraction, your dentist will help you to prepare for it. More specifically, they’ll instruct you to do the following:

  • Arrange Transport – You won’t be fit to drive after receiving treatment-related anesthesia. Therefore, arrange for someone to drive you to and from the dentist’s office.
  • Review Medical History – Tell your dentist about any medications you take, prescribed or over-the-counter. They need this information to adjust the anesthetics you’ll receive.
  • Stock Up on Proper Foods – You can't eat tough meals for several days after the extraction. As such, stock up on soft foods at home beforehand.