How Wise Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
February 5, 2016
Did you know that February 9th is National Toothache Day? It does not sound like a day you want to celebrate, but it is a good reminder that you do not have to live with pain because of your wisdom teeth in San Diego, CA. Sometimes people will just accept the pain because they may not realize that tooth extraction is a routine alternative that can make every day more comfortable.
Why Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are actually the last molars to grow in and complete a full set of teeth. They usually begin to grow and erupt during the mid to late teenage years, although some people may not get theirs until later. The problem with those third molars is that most people do not have enough room in their mouths to accommodate them, which can lead to other oral problems.
What Kind of Problems?
In an ideal world, wisdom teeth will erupt and grow like normal, taking their place next to the second molars. In real life, they may only erupt partially or become impacted, which can lead to pain, tooth decay, and later on, bigger issues such as bone loss, gum disease, and even misalignment of your bite or jaw. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more likely you may have bigger issues to address.
How Do You Treat It?
The most common procedure for impaction partial eruptions, overcrowding, or other issues is tooth extraction. Our office uses IV sedation for most of our patients who need extraction of wisdom teeth in San Diego, CA, to provide comfort during the procedure. We recommend early treatment to avoid worse complications in the future, and we will help you through every step from the initial examination to aftercare.
We are happy to provide more information about the procedure and recovery as well as answer any questions you may have. Call Dr. Christopher Henninger at (760) 652-8384 to schedule an appointment or talk to our staff.