Sylvania dentist | OH |


Brookview Dental
7135 Sylvania Avenue
Sylvania, Ohio 43560


(419) 885-1115
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Extractions - Wisdom Teeth


Extractions - Wisdom Teeth

Why is it Necessary?

A wisdom tooth is extracted to correct a problem or to prevent a problem in the future. When wisdom teeth come in, a number of problems can occur:

1. Your jaw may not be large enough to accommodate them, and they may become impacted and unable to break through your gums.

2. Your wisdom teeth may emerge only part way through your gums, causing a flap of gum tissue to grow over them. Food and germs can become trapped under this flap and cause your gums to become red and painfully swollen.

3. Other serious problems can develop from impacted teeth, such as infection, damage to other teeth and bone, or the development of cysts.

4. One or more of your wisdom teeth may come in at an awkward angle, with the top of the tooth facing forward, backward, or to either side.

The Procedure

Before removing a wisdom tooth, your dentist will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area near the tooth.

A general anesthetic may be used, especially if several or all of your wisdom teeth will be removed at the same time. A general anesthetic prevents pain in the whole body and will likely make you groggy or cause you to sleep through the procedure. Your dentist will probably ask you not to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery, to prepare you for general anesthesia.

To remove a wisdom tooth, your dentist will open up the gum tissue over the tooth and remove any bone that is covering the tooth. He will separate the tissue connecting the tooth to the bone and then remove the tooth. Sometimes the dentist will cut the tooth into smaller pieces to make it easier to remove.

After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches. Some stitches dissolve over time and some have to be removed by the dentist after a few days. We’ll let your know if you’ll need to come back in to have your stitches removed. After the extraction, we’ll probably have you gently bite down on a folded cotton gauze pad over the wound to help stop the bleeding.

What To Expect After Surgery

In most cases, the recovery period lasts only a few days. We may prescribe medication to help reduce the pain. The following tips will also help speed your recovery:
  • Bite gently on the gauze pad periodically, and change pads as they become soaked with blood. Call us if you still have bleeding 24 hours after your surgery.
  • While your mouth is numb, be careful not to bite the inside of your cheek or lip, or your tongue.
  • Do not lie flat. This may prolong bleeding. Prop up your head with pillows.
  • Try using an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for the first 24 hours. After the first day, you can use moist heat (such as a washcloth soaked in warm water then wrung-out) for two or three more days for added comfort.
  • Relax after surgery. Physical activity may increase bleeding.
  • Eat soft foods such as gelatin, pudding, or a thin soup. Gradually add solid foods to your diet as the healing progresses.
  • Do not drink with a straw for the first few days. Sucking on a straw can loosen the blood clot and delay healing.
  • Starting the second day, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water every few hours to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
  • Do not smoke for at least 24 hours after your surgery. The sucking motion can loosen the clot and delay healing. In addition, smoking decreases the blood supply to the mouth and can bring germs and contaminants to the surgery area.
  • Avoid rubbing the area with your tongue or touching it with your fingers.
  • Brush your teeth and tongue carefully while you heal.
Please call or email us if you have questions!
Sylvania dentist. Dr. Peter Urbanik, DDS, Dr. Brad Barricklow, DDS and Dr. Todd J. Schultz, DDS are well-trained Sylvania dentists providing excellent and caring dentistry.
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