Wisdom Teeth FAQs
Wisdom Teeth: Frequently Asked Questions Plantation, FL & Hollywood, FL
When it comes to surgery for your child, you’ve got lots of questions. We hope that the guide we’ve created below will provide you with the answers you’re looking for and calm any anxiety you may have.
Your teenager is in expert hands at Plantation Oral Surgery, and we take your faith in us and our expertise very seriously.
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What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are your third set of molars in the back of your mouth. They are the last to come in, usually between the ages of 16-25.
Why should I have Plantation Oral Surgery remove my teen’s wisdom teeth?
Dr. Berley, Dr. Torres & Dr. Berenstein stay well-informed of the latest techniques and welcome new technologies into our practice constantly. We continuously invest in state-of-the-art equipment and innovative new technologies to ensure true excellence in our everyday care.
The process by which we remove wisdom teeth is far less invasive than that of most oral surgeons. Our minimally invasive technique means small incisions and minuscule amounts of bone removal. Remaining ahead of the curve in every area of surgery, we administer a new medication called Exparel that numbs the area for up to 3 days, requiring nothing more than over-the-counter pain medication post-op.
Does everyone need to get their wisdom teeth removed?
No, there are some cases when patients don’t need to have their wisdom teeth removed. From time to time, our doctors at Plantation Oral Surgery see a patient whose wisdom teeth appear to have fit nicely in the mouth and don’t need removal. It’s important to remember that these patients’ wisdom teeth are still prone to disease and must be monitored for life. It is better to have us educate you on your specific situation than leave them alone simply because there is no pain.
When is the best time to get wisdom teeth removed?
We recommend having your wisdom teeth removed during your late teens or early twenties before the roots have fully developed and entwined themselves in the nerves located in the jawbone. Waiting can make extraction much more complicated. Once we identify that they need to be extracted, the earlier the better. The ideal age usually is around 16 or 17.
Do all four teeth have to be pulled?
Not necessarily. We assess each patient’s oral health thoroughly as we determine the best course of action for each unique case. Sometimes only one or two third molars need to be removed.
Is it true that the surgery takes less than an hour?
In most cases, yes! Of course, the number of teeth we are removing, the severity of impaction, and several other factors affect the length of the surgery. But most extractions do take less than an hour, and we will keep you asleep and comfortable the whole time. Many people wake up and ask, “When do we get started?”
How long does recovery take after wisdom teeth removal?
You will probably be too sleepy to do much the first day of your recovery, but most patients are back to their normal activities within 3-4 days.
Do wisdom teeth extractions hurt?
No! In fact, during the procedure, you won’t feel a thing. It isn’t uncommon for patients to have soreness for a few days following the surgery as the anesthesia wears off. Before surgery, we will discuss pain control methods and set you up with any necessary prescriptions, so that you remain comfortable at home as well.
Will my child be awake for the extraction?
It’s up to you. We have a variety of options for anesthesia to accommodate different patients’ needs, and we discuss your anesthesia preferences prior to your surgery day. With IV sedation, which is the most common method, you will be asleep during the whole procedure.
Is IV sedation safe?
IV conscious sedation is administered safely in our office to get you through oral surgery with no anxiety. During the entire procedure, you are continually monitored for every vital sign. You are also breathing on your own, unlike with hospital general anesthesia where you are intubated with a breathing tube during surgery.
It doesn’t require that much medication to keep you asleep during surgery since the first thing that we do once you are asleep is numb up all of the surgical sites. Once you are numb and comfortable, it takes relatively low amounts of medicine to keep you asleep during the surgery.
What does “impacted” mean?
Excellent question. Impacted wisdom teeth are not able to fully erupt through the gums. It is a very common condition when it comes to wisdom teeth, and it is the number one reason why wisdom teeth need to be removed.
What is “dry socket”?
Dry socket is a temporary complication that arises when a blood clot becomes dislodged from the extraction site, exposing tissue. The condition can be painful, but luckily, most cases can be avoided by following ALL of our home-care instructions, including the avoidance of straws and smoking.
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