Wisdom Tooth Extractions – North Dallas, TX
Removing Unnecessary Third Molars
If you or your child is between the ages of 16 and 24, your dental checkups can be even more important. During these visits, Dr. Lee will keep a close eye out for your wisdom teeth (i.e., the third molars that typically erupt around this age). Although some patients have enough space in their mouths to fit these additional teeth, many others do not. As a result, the wisdom teeth can push on the other teeth, causing discomfort and overcrowding. In other cases, these third molars can grow in positioned at an angle, which can lead to an infection. Rather than put your smile in danger, we may recommend wisdom tooth extractions in North Dallas, TX to allow your smile to stay healthy.
Why Choose Sunny Smile Dental for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Sedation Available for Nervous Patients
- Caring Dentist with Years of Experience and Training
- Dental Insurance Accepted
How Do Wisdom Tooth Extractions Work?
If you or your child has wisdom teeth extracted, our Sunny Smile Dental team will walk you through the entire process and provide guidance for ensuring proper healing. Some of the tips that we’ll share with you include the following:
- Keep clean gauze on the surgical site for several hours following the procedure, replacing the gauze as needed.
- Allow a blood clot to form on the site and keep it there.
- Refrain from strenuous activity for a few days.
- Avoid using a straw or using the sucking motion for at least 48 hours.
- Eat soft foods for a few days and slowly build back up to your normal diet.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction FAQs
Are you preparing for wisdom teeth extraction in North Dallas? Naturally, you probably have many questions that pertain to your upcoming procedure. At Sunny Smile Dental, we believe in providing honest and transparent information to our patients, which is why you can expect us to be ready to answer your questions and address your concerns no matter where you are. Below is a list of common questions about wisdom teeth extractions asked by our patients. We invite you to review the information, and if you do not see your question listed, please feel free to contact our office to schedule an appointment.
Why do I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?
For some patients, the eruption of wisdom teeth does not cause problems for the remainder of the mouth; however, most individuals can expect to undergo the process of wisdom teeth extraction, especially if any of the following is occurring:
- The teeth are impacted and pressing against your healthy, erupted teeth. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the greater the risk of overcrowding and the potential need for orthodontics later on.
- Cysts are forming inside your jaw and near the wisdom tooth that can ultimately cause bone and tooth damage.
- Your wisdom teeth are partially erupted and causing you to have difficulty with your oral hygiene that raises your risk for gum disease and tooth decay.
What is a normal recovery period?
Most commonly, a typical wisdom tooth extraction requires 7-10 days of healing at home. This duration can be shorter or longer depending on the severity of your case and how many teeth need to be extracted. Normally, a dentist will remove all four wisdom teeth, but this is not always the case. While at home, you will need to follow the instructions provided by our team to ensure you do not develop a dry socket and that you recover successfully.
How do I know if I have a dry socket?
Your dentist in North Dallas will go over what you can expect during recovery and how to avoid a dry socket; however, if you are unsure how to tell if you are developing one, they typically occur within 3-5 days after having your wisdom teeth removed. Should the blood clot dislodge during this time, you will likely experience serious pain that requires visiting our office for immediate treatment. It is advised that you avoid sipping through a straw or spitting in the days following your extraction, as this can lead to a dry socket. You’ll also want to avoid smoking until you’ve completely healed. Should you develop a bad taste in your mouth, foul breath, or pain that radiates from your mouth to your ear, you can assume a dry socket has developed.
Will insurance cover my wisdom tooth extraction?
Wisdom teeth extractions are typically covered under your dental insurance plan. Depending on your deductible and annual maximum, the percentage your insurance company agrees to pay will vary but can range from 50-80%, as it will also depend on how they classify this type of procedure (minor or major). If you are responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses, you’ll be pleased to learn that we work closely with CareCredit, which is a third-party company that offers flexible financing in the form of low and no interest payment plans. This will allow you to move forward with treatment while staying well within your budget.