Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth are the third molars in the very back of your mouth. They don’t always need to be removed, but they can cause problems if they are not growing in properly. We provide advanced state-of-the-art oral surgery and wisdom teeth removal. If you’re struggling with your wisdom teeth, please call us for a free consultation.

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Deer Park, TX

Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars. They come in anywhere between the ages of 15 to 25 and are known to cause issues with many patients’ oral health. We can visually examine your wisdom teeth (if they have already erupted) or use x-ray imaging to assess if your wisdom teeth need to be removed.

Having your wisdom teeth extracted may seem like a rite of passage, but that’s not always the case. Depending on the shape of your mouth, size of teeth, and the position of your third molars, a wisdom teeth removal procedure is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Proactive wisdom tooth removal can help to reduce the risk of problems like:

Crowded teeth
Pain
TMJ problems
Irregular tooth wear
Infection
Tooth decay
Gum disease
Cysts
Damage to adjacent teeth

Due to their position in the bone and against adjacent teeth, wisdom teeth can harm the healthy teeth next to them. Additionally, third molars are quite difficult to keep clean. So even if you have generally good oral hygiene, it’s possible that your wisdom teeth may develop an infection. Instead of treating them with gum infection therapy or a filling, it’s typically the standard of care to have the teeth removed for proactive purposes.

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How do I know if my wisdom teeth need removed?

While every patient is different, there are some common signs that indicate the need to have your wisdom teeth removed. These signs may include:

Impaction—this is where the tooth is stuck under the gums and/or bone and is completely hidden. If wisdom teeth aren’t able to emerge normally, they can become trapped within your jaw which can result in infection or, occassionally, cause cyst formation that can damage other teeth and surrounding structures.
Changing bite alignment—wisdom teeth can grow at various angles in the jaw, sometimes horizontally, and this can cause a change in your bite alignment.
Crowding or damage to existing teeth—this is caused by wisdom teeth not having enough room to come in properly and can push the teeth in front of them or start to erode away the backside of them.
Emerging only partially—if your wisdom teeth are only partially emerged through the gums, it can create an area where bacteria will acculumate that can cause gum disease and oral infection. It is almost impossible for you to clean this area properly.

Many dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth during the teenage years or early 20’s before the roots and bone are fully formed. Recovery is often faster and less uncomfortable than for older adults.

How do I relieve wisdom tooth pain?

Wisdom teeth generally come in between ages 15 and 25. As they grow up through your jawbone and begin to break through your gum line, they may become inflamed or bleed. These occurrences could cause headaches or tooth pain. Below are some remedies to relieve wisdom tooth pain:

Rinse with saltwater
Use peppermint essential oils or clover oil to soothe pain
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever – consult your physician prior to doing this as not all over-the-counter medications are appropriate for all patients
Apply an ice pack or heating pad to your cheeks

What is an impacted wisdom tooth?

When a wisdom tooth doesn’t have enough room to come in normally, or it forms in an abnormal position, it is considered an impacted wisdom tooth. There are several types of impacted wisdom teeth depending on where the teeth are within the jawbone. Soft tissue impaction occurs when the crown of the tooth has penetrated through the bone, but the gum is still covering part of the tooth. When a part of the tooth remains submerged in the jawbone but not the entire tooth, this is considered partially bony impaction. Complete bony impaction occurs when the tooth is entirely encased by jawbone.