Wisdom Teeth Removal in Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA

A common concern among young adults and teenagers is their wisdom teeth and whether or not they should have them removed. Whether you’re concerned about the pain, the cost, or if it will interfere with your smile, our Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA dentist will help you understand everything you need to know about wisdom teeth removal. From deciding when to remove them to what to expect from the procedure itself, Brentwood Dental Art will give you all of the information you need to make an informed decision about your wisdom teeth and oral health.

Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth to be Removed?

Wisdom teeth are the molars furthest back in the mouth, and they tend to grow in years after all of the other teeth have already erupted. Because of a lack of space, wisdom teeth often become impacted or partially erupted.

• Crowded Teeth: The pressure wisdom teeth create can affect the way teeth fit together, leaving them misaligned or more likely to trap food or bacteria between them. Because it’s common for wisdom teeth to erupt at an angle, they may press into the adjacent tooth and cause those teeth to drift out of alignment.
• Increased Risk of Infection: If left unaddressed, impacted, or partially erupted wisdom teeth are more likely to develop tooth decay and gum disease, which can easily spread to other teeth in the mouth. Even fully erupted wisdom teeth are difficult to clean, putting them at an increased risk for infection. Removing your wisdom teeth may be in the best interest of your overall oral health.
• Pain and Swelling: It’s fairly common to experience inflammation because of cysts, infection, or pressure created by wisdom teeth. Most people tend to experience off-and-on inflammation that comes and goes as their wisdom teeth develop.

During your wisdom tooth exam, our Brentwood dentist will assess the position of each wisdom tooth to determine if they need to be removed. Typically, we begin monitoring wisdom teeth by the time someone is 15 or 16 years old and routinely thereafter.

Is it More Difficult to Remove Wisdom Teeth Than Other Extractions?

Wisdom teeth are harder to remove than other teeth because they’re not just one simple extraction but four teeth located in the back of the mouth, usually close to major nerves. Typically, wisdom tooth extraction is performed by our dentist or an oral surgeon, with the option of sedation during the procedure.

How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth extraction is usually a minor oral surgery procedure that requires local anesthesia to numb the area around each tooth. The teeth are removed using a small incision in the gum, and then usually, the teeth are sectioned to remove a little bit at a time. In comparison, simple dental extractions remove the tooth as a whole. It can take up to two weeks for the swelling, pain, and irritation to go down after wisdom teeth are removed.

Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Painful?

We take special steps to make sure our patients are comfortable during their wisdom tooth removal appointment. We use numbing and sedation medications to help patients feel as little discomfort as possible. In addition, we will provide you with appropriate post-procedure medications and instructions for pain relief.

What Age is Wisdom Tooth Removal Needed?

Most people have their wisdom teeth removed sometime during their high school or college years. But they can continue developing until you’re nearly 30 years old. We typically recommend removing your wisdom teeth as soon as side effects like infection, impaction, or pain develop before they can cause damage to your neighboring healthy teeth.

At Brentwood Dental Art, we will take periodic dental X-rays to evaluate your wisdom tooth development. This imaging allows us to identify the best time for wisdom tooth removal, depending on your circumstances.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure

Most wisdom tooth extractions are a type of oral surgery, so planning for your appointment is a little different than other typical procedures. Here’s what you can expect:

Step 1: We’ll thoroughly numb the area around your tooth with local anesthetic. If you’re receiving sedation, the medication will also be administered prior to beginning the procedure.

Step 2: A small incision is made in the gum tissues, and the tooth is removed very carefully. Because your mouth is numb, the only thing you’ll feel is a little pressure. Deeper sedation medications may leave you feeling as if you’re napping through the appointment.

Step 3: Follow your home care instructions and come back for your follow-up appointment to ensure your extraction sites heal properly. Sutures may or may not be necessary, depending on the type of surgery performed.

If you’re being sedated during your appointment, you’ll need to have a family member or friend escort you to the visit and drive you home afterward.

Extraction Aftercare

To ensure a timely and comfortable recovery, follow these home care tips:

• Apply pressure with clean gauze until bleeding subsides (usually within a few hours)
• Keep your head elevated for the first 48 hours; sleep in a recliner or with your head propped up on at least two pillows
• Avoid eating any hot, hard, or crunchy foods
• Stick to a soft diet for at least a few days
• Apply a cold compress on and off every 20 minutes for the first day
• Avoid straws, caffeine, and alcohol
• Take all medications as directed, especially antibiotics
• Do not use any tobacco products, as they could cause a dry socket
• Rinse with warm salt water every few hours and after eating
• Avoid rigorous physical activity or exercise for at least 3-4 days

Most people feel better within 2-3 days of their wisdom tooth removal. We recommend taking at least a few days off from work or school to recover after your oral surgery.

Brentwood Wisdom Teeth Removal in

If you’re experiencing pain or swelling around your wisdom teeth, call Brentwood Dental Art in Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA to reserve a wisdom tooth exam. We’ll discuss whether surgical removal is necessary and what type of sedation options are available.

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Questions Answered on This Page

• Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth to be Removed?
• Is it More Difficult to Remove Wisdom Teeth Than Other Extractions?
• How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
• Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Painful?
• What Age is Wisdom Tooth Removal Needed?
• Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure
• Extraction Aftercare

Related Topics

• Tooth Extraction
• Oral Surgery
• Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost in Brentwood

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Hear From Our Patients

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Helpful links: WebMD (Wisdom Teeth) | ADA (Glossary of Dental Terms)