Wisdom Teeth Extractions in Tomball
Dr. Geer and has staff have one chief objective: help patients retain healthy and beautiful teeth for a lifetime. Nevertheless, there are times when removing a tooth is required. And while extraction is never the first treatment choice when it comes to helping patients maintain happy, healthy smiles, there are reasons why it might become necessary in order to protect your oral health. For example, wisdom teeth are commonly removed for the sake of protecting your other teeth and preserving your overall oral health. Here at our Tomball dental office, Dr. James Geer can handle your extraction procedure smoothly, even in difficult cases that may require more in-depth surgical care.
Do I Need to Remove My Wisdom Teeth?
Dr. Geer will be able to tell you whether or not wisdom teeth removal in Tomball is advisable for you. Also, your orthodontist may recommend extraction of wisdom teeth in order to prevent these large teeth from interfering with your newly aligned smile.
Other reasons why wisdom teeth may need to be extracted include:
- There is insufficient space in your mouth for wisdom teeth to erupt properly. Our ancient relatives had larger jaws and these teeth were helpful in chewing raw vegetation and tough meat. Modern man, however, has a smaller jaw that usually does not provide room for wisdom teeth.
- Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infection, gum disease and a greater likelihood of tooth decay.
- Cysts may develop around wisdom teeth, which can cause significant damage to your jawbone and tooth roots.
- Wisdom teeth may be extracted in order to prevent the possibility of future infections and pressure on adjacent teeth.
Of course, extraction is not always necessary. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, have grown in correctly, and are positioned well along your jawbone, then you and Dr. Geer may elect to leave them in place.
Tooth Extraction Process
In most extraction cases, Dr. Geer begins the procedure by administering local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Then, he performs minor oral surgery to open the tissue and bone around the treatment site. This exposes the wisdom tooth so it can be removed as cleanly as possible from its socket. Most of the time, sutures will be needed to close the area and encourage the healing of tissue. Dr. James Geer can assist patients with more difficult cases of extraction thanks to his advanced training and expertise, and he’ll be sure to handle the procedure with precision and comfort.
Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Removal in Tomball
Once your extraction is complete, your recovery begins. Some bleeding is normal for the first 24 hours following extraction. You can use a gauze pad to slow and eventually stop the bleeding.
Over the counter pain medications such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen combined with an ice pack used at 20-minute intervals provide relief from any swelling or discomfort that occurs. It is strongly recommended that you only eat soft foods—yogurt, jello, applesauce, soup, pudding, pureed vegetables—for a few days and avoid spices, tobacco, or alcohol. Additionally refrain from sucking through straws and drinking carbonated beverages. Excessive exercise should also be avoided, as well. Adhering to these and all of the postoperative instructions we provide is the best way to minimize healing time and avoid complications.
Contact our Tomball, TX practice today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Geer to discuss your need for wisdom teeth removal in Tomball, TX.