Wisdom Teeth Extractions
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth (also called "third molars") are the last set of teeth that develop in the back of the mouth typically between teenage years and early twenties. Removal of wisdom teeth is one of the most commonly performed procedures at Dr. Welch’s office. Contrary to what it sounds like, extraction of your wisdom teeth does not lead to a loss of intelligence. It does, however, dramatically reduce the likelihood of future problems and complications. Please call us with any questions about wisdom tooth extractions in Eugene, OR, 541.465.3939.
Contrary to what it sounds like, extraction of your wisdom teeth does not lead to a loss of intelligence!
Providing this procedure at the practice has given us the opportunity to get to know many wonderful people in our community. We have the pleasure of caring for people from Eugene, Springfield and many other parts of the beautiful state of Oregon.
Wisdom Teeth Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth extractions in Eugene, OR, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth are discussed.
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Why are wisdom teeth extracted?
Insufficient space in the mouth: typically there is an inadequate amount of room in the mouth for wisdom teeth. In the process of growing through the gums ("erupting") and establishing in the mouth, wisdom teeth may crowd and damage adjacent. Often times the teeth remain impacted (underneath the gums) due to a lack of space.
Future complications arising from impacted wisdom teeth: Partially or fully blocked teeth can cause serious problems, such as infections and cysts arising from infection of the sac that surrounds the wisdom tooth. Cysts can cause an enlargement that leads to hollowing of the jaw and results in permanent damage to the adjacent teeth, jawbone and nerves.
Difficulty maintaining dental hygiene: In a crowded dental arch there is very little interproximal (between teeth) distance. This makes brushing, flossing and cleaning the adjacent teeth extremely challenging. Teeth are commonly lost due to decay and periodontal problems because of insufficient space in the mouth and subsequently poor hygiene. (PBHS graphic here)
Wisdom teeth provide negligible function: Due to the location of wisdom teeth in the mouth, they often have very limited chewing capability. Similar to that coat hanging in your closet that you never wear, wisdom teeth often take up space and don’t contribute positively to your life.
Why should wisdom teeth be removed if they are not currently causing problems?
Typically there is no way to foresee if and when problems will arise from wisdom teeth. Once problems arise, they are more difficult and painful to treat and require more recovery time. In some cases, future risks and complications can be assessed as unlikely to occur, and extraction may not be recommended. Whether or not wisdom teeth should be removed depends on your unique situation. Overall, most dentists consider extraction of third molars a standard preventative measure in dentistry.
When should wisdom teeth be removed?
Dr. Welch's philosophy is embodied in the "Rule of Two-Thirds": There is no "ideal chronological age" for removal of wisdom teeth; the stage of root formation is what determines ideal time for wisdom tooth extraction. When the roots of the lower wisdom teeth are two-thirds formed, the human capacity to regenerate bone in the extraction site and on the distal (towards the back of the mouth) surface of the second molar is at its highest potential. Additionally, younger patients have bone that is less dense than older patients, thereby making the extraction process easier and potentially less painful; beautiful bone develops within six weeks following surgery. The rare risk of injury to the mandibular nerve (the nerve that your dentist numbs during dental treatment) is nearly "zero" when the roots are incompletely developed. Most nerve injuries occur when the fully developed roots of lower wisdom teeth brush against the nerve when the tooth is eased out of the extraction socket.
What happens after surgery?
It is common to experience swelling and discomfort after wisdom teeth extraction. Oral medications are prescribed for pain relief and a modified diet is detailed to facilitate your recovery. There is high variability of post-operative discomfort among patients and no two people are alike in their course of recovery. Following post-operative instructions closely will make your recovery as quick and predictable as possible.
What about "dry sockets"?
A dry socket occurs when the blood clot that formed in an extraction site dislodges, thereby leaving the socket exposed. With proper post-operative measures, such as abstaining from using straws and eating certain types of food, the incidence of dry sockets is greatly reduced. In addition, Dr. Welch places a "magic mix" in the extraction site, which results in a dramatic decrease in the incidence of dry socket.
Wisdom teeth horror stories
Do you need your wisdom teeth out and your friends are telling you their worst stories about their experiences? We think we have heard them all by now. We are proud to say that over 96% of our patients report their experience with Dr. Welch as "highly satisfied". Having your wisdom teeth removed by Dr. Welch—a professional with good judgment and years of experience—should be a predictable and straightforward experience.