Learn About Wisdom Tooth Removal in Vancouver

Wisdom Tooth Removal in Vancouver, BC

West Broadway Dentist offers wisdom tooth extraction appointments. Your comfort and happiness are our primary concerns.

We offer a conservative approach to all dental care and never recommend unnecessary procedures. At West Broadway Dentist, you can enjoy the confidence of knowing you’re getting essential dental care in a safe, proven manner. Removal of your wisdom teeth is something that should be timed carefully. Dr. Fereidouni can carefully monitor your dental health and examine the placement of your wisdom teeth through your regular examinations and routine dental X-rays. We won’t encourage wisdom tooth extraction until the time is right for this procedure.

If your wisdom teeth are beginning to erupt, causing issues with the placement of other teeth, or causing you pain or discomfort, we can discuss the best approach for handling your individual situation. Wisdom tooth extraction is a form of dental surgery, but it’s not something you need to be nervous about.

At West Broadway Dentist, we take the time to carefully and thoroughly explain all dental procedures to you. From contacting your insurance company to help you understand your coverage, to looking over your X-rays with you and showing you where your wisdom teeth are, we’ll take the time to make sure you feel confident and comfortable with all parts of this procedure.

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What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Your wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last teeth that will erupt in your mouth. Unlike other teeth, which begin growing in the jaw just before birth, your wisdom teeth don’t start developing until around age seven. Situated in the back four corners of the mouth, these teeth won’t typically erupt through the gums until you’re between the ages of 17 and 21.

The purpose of wisdom teeth isn’t clear, but dentists suspect they may have originally developed as a replacement for worn molars that may have sustained serious damage or even fallen out by this point in an individual’s life. Thanks to dental hygiene practices and restorative care, wisdom teeth are no longer necessary. Our modern jaws are also smaller than those of prehistoric humans, making these third molars more of a hindrance than a help.

Why Do I Need to Have Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Some people can accommodate wisdom teeth without any problems. If your jaw is large enough for these molars to erupt comfortably, you won’t necessarily need to have them removed. However, there are many cases where wisdom tooth removal is recommended. Some problems that patients may experience with wisdom teeth include:

  • Impaction, where the teeth either grow at an angle or are trapped in the jawbone and cannot safely or comfortably erupt.
  • Decay of a partially erupted wisdom tooth.
  • Development of cysts around or under the wisdom tooth.
  • Damage to adjacent teeth or the jawbone around the wisdom tooth.
  • Complications with orthodontic treatments intended to straighten other teeth.

Most issues with wisdom teeth are best solved with removal of the tooth. If you’re experiencing discomfort, or you simply notice your wisdom teeth erupting and are wondering what the next steps are, we can help you understand your options.

What’s the Process for Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Wisdom tooth removal is a safe and routine process. We begin by taking X-rays of your mouth, so we can properly evaluate the placement of the wisdom teeth. We will take X-rays before your scheduled wisdom tooth removal, but we may need additional X-rays on the day of your dental surgery. We offer various forms of sedation to make you comfortable throughout the surgical process.

A local anaesthetic is injected in the gums so you cannot feel the surgery. Once the anaesthetic is in effect, your doctor will loosen the tissues around the wisdom tooth and remove it from your mouth. You may feel pressure, but not pain. Some patients require stitches after removal.

What Is the Recovery Like After Wisdom Tooth Removal?

It typically takes about two weeks to recover fully from wisdom tooth removal. After the first two or three days, any swelling in the mouth or cheeks will improve. If you have stitches, these will dissolve or be removed within a week. Lingering stiffness or soreness will gradually decrease over the second week until you’re fully healed.

If you’re concerned about your wisdom teeth, contact our friendly staff at West Broadway Dentist to make an appointment. We will examine your tooth placement and the state of your wisdom teeth carefully to provide you with a personalized recommendation for your future care. Every case is different. We provide you with the best solution for your individual needs.

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