Dentist in Houston, TX explains the purpose of the extraction of wisdom teeth

Dr. Monti Harpalani is a dentist at Vivid Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Houston, TX who is proud to offer patients a wide selection of general, cosmetic, and restorative dental solutions under one roof. When patients are faced with problems regarding their wisdom teeth, they may be advised of the purpose and benefits of undergoing extractions. Our dentist has years of experience in providing both simple and surgical extractions of teeth, including these problematic third molars.

Wisdom teeth concerns

The wisdom teeth are also known as the third molars. They are the last to erupt within the smile and typically do so in the late teens or early adulthood. Sometimes, they may become impacted and cannot break through the gum line. This can result in extreme toothaches that require removal to resolve. The purpose of extractions is to remove the bothersome teeth and provide patients with a healthy smile. Some patients may be concerned about extracting their adult teeth. Fortunately, the wisdom teeth are not “necessary” and can be removed without affecting the health or function of the smile. In fact, they are more problematic for patients than they are helpful. Even when they do erupt through the gum line, they can put patients at risk for conditions such as periodontal disease and cavities. This is due to their location far back in the mouth. They can be difficult for patients to reach to effectively brush and floss, causing them to become a significant issue. Other times, patients may need wisdom teeth removed before they erupt through the gum line to avoid affecting dental work previously accomplished such as orthodontic treatment. Wisdom teeth that erupt when there is no space can cause the existing teeth to shift out of alignment. This can be detrimental for a patient who has already undergone orthodontic work and has properly aligned their teeth years prior. This leads some dentists to remove the wisdom teeth to avoid this disruption later in the teen years or in adulthood.

What types of extractions are available?

At Vivid Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, our team of professionals proudly offer two methods of removal, including:

• Simple
• Surgical

Simple extraction is done when the tooth has already come through the gum line. The tooth may be easy for the dentist to grab and leverage out of the bone. This is done with local anesthetics and sedation, if the patient requires. Surgical extraction is more invasive and requires the dentist to access underneath the gum tissue to reach the tooth. This is done with sedation dentistry as well as local anesthetics for patient comfort.

What to expect after having wisdom teeth removed

The aftercare following wisdom tooth removal should be followed closely to avoid any complications such as loss of necessary blood clots and for overall comfort. Additionally, proper aftercare can reduce the risk of infection following the procedure. Patients are given aftercare instructions by their dentist to follow, which may include eating softer foods for a few days, brushing around the treatment area and not on it, and avoiding the use of straws or suction. When patients follow these instructions, they are able to enjoy faster and uneventful healing over the course of several days. Patients are encouraged to visit their dentist if they have any concerns or for a follow-up appointment to evaluate recovery.

Visit Vivid Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today!

If you believe you could benefit from the removal of your wisdom teeth, we encourage you to book an appointment with our staff and consult with our team about your options. Dr. Monti Harpalani and his team of professionals are here to assist patients in and around the area of Houston, TX who are interested in visiting a dentist with experience and expertise with this and many other procedures. At Vivid Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we are here for you! Call us at 281-809-4902 today to make an appointment at our office located at 11560 FM 1960 West, Suite 200. We welcome new patients and families into our state-of-the-art dental facility and treat everyone like our own family!