WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL BIRMINGHAM AL
Still sporting your wisdom teeth?
These third molars commonly cause pain, infection, overcrowding, and cysts—but oftentimes they’re already creating problems while you’re none the wiser.
A thorough wisdom teeth evaluation is important to assess the state of your wisdom teeth and determine if wisdom teeth removal is required.
This presentation is designed to provide a better understanding of wisdom teeth removal by addressing the most commonly asked questions of this oral-facial procedure. Watch it now.
TYPES OF WISDOM TOOTH IMPACTIONS
- Soft Tissue Impaction: There is not enough room to allow the gum tissue to retract for adequate cleaning of the tooth.
- Partial Bony Impaction: There is enough space to allow the wisdom tooth to partially breakthrough. However, the tooth cannot function properly in the chewing process, and creates cleaning problems as well as other issues.
- Complete Bony Impaction: There is NO space for the tooth to breakthrough. It remains embedded in the jaw bone or partially visible. This makes for a delicate tooth extraction procedure.
SHOULD I HAVE MY WISDOM TEETH REMOVED?
Wisdom teeth develop between the middle teenage years and early twenties, a time linked to becoming more mature and wise. Hence the name “wisdom teeth.” They are usually the last teeth to form and are located in the back of the mouth.
Since wisdom teeth are late to the game, many times a person’s jaw cannot accommodate the additional teeth. As a result, wisdom teeth may grow crooked, breakthrough incompletely, or even get wedged beneath the gum and bone.
With inadequate space to emerge, wisdom teeth are unable to settle into the proper position for chewing and cleaning. This crammed-in, stuck-tight state is known as impaction—and it can cause you and your mouth numerous oral health complications.
WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL CONSULTATION
Fortunately, while your wisdom teeth may be late to the game, you can get ahead of the game with our help.
At Buck and Phillips Oral Surgery, we utilize modern dental procedures and state-of-the-art technology to evaluate wisdom teeth and establish if wisdom teeth extraction is required.
- A panorex, or panoramic x-ray, of your mouth and jaws, will be taken to determine if your wisdom teeth are impacted.
- We’ll also gauge if there is still room for them to grow, or what the level of difficulty would be in having them removed.
When impaction occurs, removal is usually required, and should only be done by an oral surgeon with many years of experience. That’s where Dr. Buck and Dr. Phillips come in.
We will carefully discuss the procedure with you during the consultation, go over anesthesia options, review insurance coverage, and talk about recovery time.
Call our Birmingham Southside office today at (205) 933-1331 to schedule your wisdom teeth removal consultation.
AFTER EXTRACTION OF WISDOM TEETH
Once the teeth are removed, the gum is sutured. To help control the bleeding, you will bite down on the gauze placed at the extraction site in your mouth. You will rest under our supervision in the office until you are ready to be taken home. Upon discharge, your postoperative kit will include detailed instructions, a prescription for pain medication, antibiotics, and a follow-up appointment in one week.
We ask that you follow your post-operative instructions closely. Doing so will make you as comfortable as possible during the first few days following your procedure. Most of the time you will want to limit your activities for a few days. You should not drive while taking pain medication.
The post-operative instruction sheet provided should answer many of the questions related to more common after-procedure concerns. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our Birmingham Southside Office at 205-933-1331.
WHAT DOES WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL COST AND IS IT COVERED BY INSURANCE?
The oral surgeon’s office staff will help you obtain maximum insurance coverage for your treatment. All of these things will need to be taken into account before an accurate estimate can be provided.
WHY WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL?
Impacted wisdom teeth should be removed before their root structures are fully developed. Problems tend to occur with increasing frequency after the age of 30, so it’s best to be proactive.
In general, people in their teens or early twenties heal faster and have fewer complications with wisdom teeth extraction.
Failure to extract impacted wisdom teeth can lead to:
- pericoronitis, a localized gum infection
- cyst formation
- crowding or damage to adjacent teeth
- gum disease
- pain
IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH
- Soft Tissue Impaction
There is not enough space to allow the gum tissue, or soft tissue, to retract for adequate cleaning of the tooth.
- Partial Bony Impaction
There is enough space for the tooth to partially breakthrough, but the tooth cannot function properly in the chewing process. Cleaning problems and other issues arise.
- Complete Bony Impaction
There is no space for the tooth to breakthrough. It remains embedded in the jaw bone or only partially visible. This makes for a delicate tooth extraction procedure.
Sometimes an impacted tooth or teeth will show no symptoms, so tracking wisdom teeth development and scheduling a wisdom teeth consultation is key.
Common Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Impaction
- Pain, swelling, and sensitivity near the tooth or jaw
- Pain when moving the jaw up or down
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Bad breath
WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL PROCESS
Dr. Buck and Dr. Phillips conduct wisdom teeth removals at our facility. Our staff makes sure you are comfortable and calm during the surgical procedure.
Instructions Prior to Surgery
- Have nothing to eat or drink 8 hours prior to surgery start. Prescription medications may be taken with a sip of water.
Having something in your stomach can increase the risk for serious anesthetic complications, including nausea and vomiting.
Your procedure will be rescheduled if you have not heeded these guidelines.
- A parent or responsible adult must accompany you to the office and plan to stay with you for the rest of the day. You will take medications to help minimize postoperative pain and swelling.
- Plan to be in the office for a total of 90 minutes. The procedure itself will take about 30 to 60 minutes.
Anesthesia and Pain Control
If during your consultation you elected to be sedated, we will place an IV in your arm. This is a quick procedure that promotes optimal delivery of your medication.
In addition:
- We may provide nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” for relaxation.
- A local anesthetic will be utilized to numb the area and ensure no pain.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTION
Once the teeth are removed, the gum is sutured. Gauze is placed to help control the bleeding. Local anesthesia is given to ensure comfort.
You will recover under our supervision until you are ready to go home. Expect to be drowsy for a significant portion of the day, and make plans for a parent or responsible adult to remain with you at all times.
Upon discharge, a postoperative kit will include instructions, a prescription for pain medication, antibiotics, and a follow-up appointment scheduled for one week.
Post-Operative Instructions
Following post-operative instructions closely will make you as comfortable as possible during the first few days of your recovery.
- The provided post-operative instruction sheet should answer many of the questions about after-procedure concerns.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call our Birmingham Southside Office at (205) 933-1331.
Eating
We recommend starting your pain medication before the local anesthesia wears off.
Taking pain medication on an empty stomach can make you nauseated, so begin your post-operative diet with something light, like jello or applesauce, before taking medication.
You may gradually increase the substance in your diet as your body permits. Most local anesthesia wears off within two to three hours.
We do not recommend eating dairy products such as yogurt, ice cream, or milkshakes on the day of surgery, as nausea and vomiting may result when mixing dairy with anesthetic and pain medication.
Drug Interactions
If you are given antibiotics and are taking birth control pills, please be aware that birth control pills might become ineffective, so take appropriate precautions.
Additional Instructions
- Limit activities for a few days.
- Do not drive while taking pain medication.
WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL COST AND INSURANCE COVERAGE
The cost of wisdom teeth extraction is determined by many factors:
- The difficulty involved in removing the teeth
- Type of impaction
- Anesthesia method
- Your insurance policy’s coverage of the anesthesia and the procedure
We accept a variety of insurance plans compared to other providers in the area. And no surprises—we always tell you your treatment costs upfront.
Reach out today to our Birmingham Southside Office at (205) 933-1331 and schedule your wisdom teeth removal consultation.
WHY BUCK AND PHILLIPS ORAL SURGERY?
Our practice has been around since 1960. We’re a family business, and we prioritize quality, affordable care.
Dr. Buck and Dr. Phillips are committed to the proper diagnosis and treatment of each patient. You can expect to communicate with your surgeon—and often!
Our team has many years of experience, and our practice covers the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, from wisdom tooth removal to dental implant procedures.
We think you’ll really love our friendly and focused people. Call our Birmingham Southside Office at (205) 933-1331 and schedule your wisdom teeth removal consultation.
QUESTIONS?
