You most certainly know at least a few people who have had their wisdom teeth removed. While this is a common procedure for adults, it is still oral surgery. If you’re like most people, you probably want to avoid having teeth extracted if at all possible.
Third molars, more commonly known as wisdom teeth, are the four teeth located in the upper and lower back corners of your mouth. They are usually the last teeth to grow in, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. If your wisdom teeth grow in normally, there is no reason to have them removed. However, there are several reasons why you may require a third molar extraction:
- They’re impacted – If your wisdom teeth don’t grow in normally, they may become trapped in your gums or jawbone. This is often painful.
- They grow in at the wrong angle – This may cause your wisdom teeth to point toward the adjacent second molar or toward the back of your mouth.
- Your mouth is too small to accommodate them – If your jaw doesn’t have enough room for this extra set of molars, it will create crowding issues for the neighboring teeth.
- They have caused oral health issues – When wisdom teeth don’t grow in properly, it may affect your ability to brush and floss in that region of your mouth. This can result in the development of tooth decay or gum disease.
When one of these issues occurs, Dr. Khavari generally recommends removing your wisdom teeth to alleviate any pain you may be experiencing and to prevent the development of more serious oral health issues down the road.
Sedation Dentistry for a More Comfortable Procedure
It’s common to experience anxiety about undergoing a major dental procedure. Dr. Khavari is sensitive to these concerns, and she is committed to making sure your experience is comfortable throughout the third molar extraction process. Sedation dentistry is an important tool to keep you relaxed and provide maximum levels of comfort.
Sedation dentistry involves using a sedative agent in order to place you in a relaxed, semi-conscious state throughout your procedure. For third molar extractions, Dr. Khavari generally recommends oral conscious sedation.
You’ll take a sedative pill about an hour before your procedure. While you will remain awake during your third molar extraction and be able to interact with Dr. Khavari, you will most likely have no recollection of the procedure afterwards. Instead, you’ll feel refreshed and relaxed. Oral conscious sedation enables you to feel more comfortable during the procedure, which should put you at ease before undergoing oral surgery.
Keep in mind that you will still be under the lingering effects of the oral sedation after your procedure is complete. Therefore, we recommend that you arrange for someone to drive you home.
Contact our Pasadena Dentist
If you’ve been experiencing wisdom teeth pain, please contact Love Brushing Dentistry using the form on this page or call 713-490-2088 today to schedule an appointment. We serve patients in Pasadena, Baytown, Channelview and throughout East Houston.
