Wisdom Teeth Removal & Extractions
Do My Wisdom Teeth Need To Come Out?
By the age of 18, the average adult has 32 teeth; 16 teeth on the top and 16 teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine, and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth (molar teeth) are used to grind food up into a consistency suitable for swallowing.
The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These four other teeth are your third molars, also known as “wisdom teeth.”
Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to successfully erupt.
These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the teeth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain, and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom teeth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.
If Your Wisdom Teeth Don’t Have Room to Grow, They May Need to Be Removed
Schedule a Consultation Today to Discuss Pulling Your Wisdom Teeth!
Wisdom Teeth Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth are discussed.
Consultation
Surgical removal of wisdom teeth is a procedure that typically requires an extensive examination and consultation. During this visit, your surgeon will discuss findings obtained from the examination and from a detailed review of any x-rays or images. Our surgeons can evaluate the anatomic position of the wisdom teeth and make a recommendation with regard to either removal or continued monitoring. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
This outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort and safety.
Removal Surgery
In most cases, the surgical removal of wisdom teeth is performed under sedation or general anesthesia. These options, as well as the surgical risks (i.e., sensory nerve damage, sinus complications), will be discussed with you before the procedure is performed. Most patients undergo removal of all four wisdom teeth during one procedure. In most cases the surgery is completed in 30-45 minutes.
Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety that utilizes modern monitoring equipment and staff who are experienced in all anesthesia techniques. We safely perform hundreds of procedures under general anesthesia each year.
Patient Reviews: Wisdom Teeth Removal
Please read reviews from our patients. We invite you to read other patient testimonials, or visit out Google Reviews for our offices in Billerica, Westford, and Worcester.
Please visit the Patient Review form to leave a review about your Wisdom Teeth Removal experience with New England Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Call our office if you would like more information: Billerica Office Phone Number Billerica Office Phone Number 978-667-8600.
New England Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Patient Review by Emily N
Absolutely amazing. I had a consult in Westford with Dr. Beanland, and then a wisdom tooth started bothering me, but I couldn’t afford to get them all out an once, they agreed to do one at a time so that I could afford it. When I got there, I was super nervous, and told Dr. Beanlands assistant ( I can’t remember her name, but she was AMAZING), that I have a weird, terrible, fear of oral surgery, and she calmed my nerves and explained everything. I did not go under anesthesia, just novicaine, which they also talked me through the entire time. I wasn’t nervous anymore, and they were constantly making sure I was okay. They brought me to recovery and gave me and told me all about the aftercare and scheduled me a follow up to make sure everything is healing properly. Absolutely, without a doubt, the best office I have been to for my teeth. I will be back in a few weeks to get my other two out.
– Emily N