The Wisdom Behind Pulling Teeth!

By the age of eighteen, the average adult has 32 teeth - 16 on the top and 16 on the bottom. The only problem is that the average mouth can only comfortably accommodate 28 teeth. The four extra teeth, your "wisdom teeth" can cause a lot of pain and problems if left to grow without sufficient space.

Why Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth. If they align properly and the gum tissue is healthy, they may not need to be removed. Unfortunately, this rarely happens. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone (impacted).

These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection with swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the natural alignment. More serious problems can occur when tumors or cysts form around the impacted tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Early removal is recommended to avoid these problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Early Evaluation = Better Results

We strongly encourage everyone to be evaluated in their mid-teenage years. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment yields better results for the patient. At Sudbrink Oral Surgery we provide a complete oral examination and x-rays to determine the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there may be present or future problems.

A Virtually Pain-Free Removal Process

Board-certified by the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology, Dr. Sudbrink is one the countries leading experts on anesthesiology care for dentistry and he's an expert at eliminating pain. In most cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is performed under local anesthesia, laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia) or general anesthesia. These options as well as any surgical risks will be discussed with you before the procedure. Once the teeth are removed, the gum is sutured and you will rest under our supervision in the office until you are ready to be taken home. Upon discharge, your post-operative kit will include postoperative instructions, a prescription for pain medication, antibiotics and a follow-up appointment for suture removal.