Have you ever heard of wisdom teeth? If you’re a teen, or a parent to one, then you should know about the dangers the wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, can pose. Without treatment to remove them, their arrival in our late teens and early 20s could means serious complications for our smile’s health and beauty. Fortunately, your Burbank, CA, dentist can offer safe and comfortable tooth extraction!

The Dangers of Your Third Molars

As we approach our late teens or our early 20s, usually before age 25, up to 4 additional molars could erupt in the back of our mouth. While our smiles have evolved over the millennia to comfortably accommodate 28 teeth, this pushes the number to 32. The results can be disastrous. Many people develop misalignment, or the teeth may only partially erupt, causing a painful impaction. Infection and damage to nearby teeth could also occur. Serious orthodontic and dental work will often be needed to reverse the damage wrought by these additional teeth. However, removing them prior to eruption means preserving the smile and preventing serious complications.

The Dental Extraction Process

The process involves the dentist gently opening the area above the new teeth and then carefully removing them with forceps. The area will be sutured closed. In a single visit, we can prevent the complications of wisdom teeth and preserve your teen’s smile!

Dental Sedation and Recovery

Prior to the procedure, we will administer a local anesthetic around the extraction site and also offer IV sedation, which ensures you enter a deep and relaxed state, one in which you will have little to no memory of the procedure at all and avoid discomfort. The effects will take time to wear off, so you should arrange for a friend or family member to bring you home following the procedure, and should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until the effects have completely worn off.

We will provide detailed aftercare instructions, including instructions for taking your pain medication and antibiotics. You shouldn’t prod the sutured area with your tongue, and for the first day you should only eat soft foods. Brush and floss very carefully, and be sure to attend your follow-up visits so we can monitor the healing process and remove the sutures. If you have any questions about caring for your smile following treatment, or about a dental extraction, then contact our team today.

Do You Have Questions About Wisdom Teeth?

Our team would love to help you maintain optimal oral health for many years to come. For more information on oral surgery and restorative dentistry, schedule a consultation by calling Modern Smiles in North Hollywood, CA, today at 818-763-9353. We also proudly serve patients who live in Burbank, Toluca Lake, and all surrounding communities.