Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Marysville, WA
Removing Wisdom Teeth for a Healthy Smile
Wisdom tooth extractions in Marysville, WA, are a common procedure performed by the dental professionals at Allen Creek Family Dentistry. These third molars are found toward the back of the top and bottom row of teeth and can fully erupt or remain impacted beneath the gum line. Most often, these final adult teeth will erupt between the ages of 16 and 24, but depending on the individual, these teeth may or may not need to be removed. To find out more about wisdom tooth extractions in Marysville, WA and whether your teen qualifies, we invite you to contact us and schedule an appointment today.
Why Choose Allen Creek Family Dentistry for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Sedation Dentistry Available
- We Accept Dental Insurance
- Preserving the Health of Smiles
Who is a Candidate for Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Most often, candidates for wisdom tooth extractions are teenagers and young adults between 16 and 24 years of age. While this is not always the case, the majority of dentists find that once these back molars emerge, it is best if they are removed. However, you can expect that our team of dentists will be closely monitoring you or your child’s wisdom teeth to determine if it is safe for them to remain in place or if it is necessary to go ahead and extract them.
Here are a few signs that they are better off being extracted:
- They are impacted (below the gum line)
- Healthy teeth near the wisdom teeth are damaged
- There are any signs of an infection
- Any cysts or tumors are present
Types of Wisdom Teeth Issues Leading to Extraction
If it is determined that you or your teenager should have their wisdom teeth removed, it is usually because of one of the following reasons:
Crowded
Overcrowding can create problems that would ultimately lead to possible orthodontic treatment. If there is insufficient space within your jaw for these third molars to push through, we will likely recommend a wisdom tooth extraction.
Impacted
When wisdom teeth do not erupt, they will remain beneath the gum line. Depending on the angle at which they are positioned, this can be problematic for your natural, healthy teeth, as they can begin to shift should the wisdom teeth begin to push against the nearest tooth. It is also possible that impacted wisdom teeth can cause an infection to develop and negatively impact healthy teeth and gum tissue.
Sinus Complications
If the wisdom teeth located in the upper area of the mouth become infected, it can affect your sinuses and cause additional problems such as sinus pain, headaches, and inflammation. To prevent this, it may be necessary for us to remove you or your child’s wisdom teeth.
Post-Operative Care
After your wisdom teeth have been extracted, proper care must be taken to ensure you heal and recover in a timely manner. One of the most vital aspects of recovery is the prevention of a dry socket. This occurs when a blood clot that has formed suddenly dislodges or dissolves before the surgical area is fully healed.
To prevent this from happening, you should:
- Continue to apply pressure to the gauze provided by our team by biting down. You will need to make sure you change out the gauze as needed so the blood clot can form.
- Eat only soft foods in the days after the procedure.
- Avoid chewing on the side of the surgical sites.
- Take any pain medication as instructed.
- Avoid sipping or sucking anything through a straw, as this can dislodge the clot and result in a dry socket.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Maintain good oral hygiene but be careful not to brush or floss around the extraction sites.
- Use a cold compress to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort.
Benefits of Wisdom Tooth Extraction
- Avoiding possible infection or abscess due to impacted wisdom teeth
- Reduce the possible risk of health conditions throughout the body
- Lessen the possible need for orthodontic treatment, especially if there is a concern for overcrowding should they be left untouched
- Less likely to develop gum disease or tooth decay should a partial wisdom tooth eruption occur
How Much Does a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Cost?
This is dependent upon how much your dental insurance agrees to cover. Since most wisdom tooth extractions are considered a major dental service, it will likely be covered at around 50%, but all insurance policies differ, so you must review your plan. A member of our team will be happy to assist in looking at your policy and determining exactly how much you can expect to pay out of pocket for your teenager’s procedure. Whether or not you have met your deductible will also be a determinate.