Wisdom teeth are your last set of molars and they typically don’t appear until you are in your 20s. When your wisdom teeth have grown in correctly, it makes the process of chewing much more efficient. However, it’s very rare that wisdom teeth actually grow in correctly. Typically they are misaligned and have to be removed as a result. Causing an individual to need Oral Surgery York PA. In more severe cases, the tooth can even be stuck inside the jaw bone or below the gum line, causing it to never erupt and grow in properly. This is called an impacted wisdom tooth.
If your dentist believes that you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, you will likely be referred to an Oral Surgeon, especially in high risk cases. During your initial visit, an X-ray will be performed so that the surgeon can get a clear view of the area below your gum line. This allows the surgeon to determine if surgery is even necessary and to formulate a plan for the procedure. Common reasons why a surgical tooth extraction would be performed include:
* A wisdom tooth that has grown in at a misaligned angle causing the top of the tooth to face sideways or backwards.
* Wisdom teeth that have only partially erupted causing an extra layer of your gum tissue to grow on top of the tooth.
* An impacted wisdom tooth.
Recovery
If the surgeon does determine that you need to have Oral Surgery York PA performed, you can expect a recovery period of just a few days in typical cases. Although recovery is rather mild, there are several precautions you need to take.
* Avoid using a straw for at least three days after the procedure.
* Don’t smoke for a minimum of 24 hours following the surgery.
* Consider eating soft foods, such as soups or puddings until your mouth has fully healed.
* Avoid lying flat for at least two days to reduce bleeding.
After the surgery is complete, the oral surgeon will provide you with information regarding complete care instructions. As part of your recovery, it is also important that you keep up good oral practices, such as brushing and flossing at least two times each day as well.
