When we refer to 3rd molars, you may know them better as wisdom teeth. They typically erupt during your late teens or early 20s, but that doesn't mean it's a rule. A person can have 3rd molars erupt at any time for the teen years on. You may be under the impression that they always have to be removed, but that's not always the case. At Ramapo Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we want you to know that when your 3rd molars grown in properly aligned, there is usually not any pain associated with them and they probably will not need to come out. That's the good news. The bad news is that most of the time, they grow in crooked, crowd surrounding teeth or damage them, your jaw bone, or the nerves. If they become impacted, which happens when they come in only partially and therefore allow bacteria to get inside, swelling and pain are almost certain to follow. That's when you'll need our Suffern 3rd molar extraction.
After an examination, our local oral surgeon will determine if there is an infection present. If so, you might need to be on antibiotics to address it and your procedure will be delayed temporarily. At the time of our Suffern 3rd molar extraction, you will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Our oral surgeon will open the gum tissue over the teeth to be removed. Any bone tissue that is covering the tooth will be taken out and the tissue connecting the tooth to the bone will be separated. Sometimes, the tooth has to be removed in pieces.
You will probably require stitches afterward. You will be offered gauze to stem any bleeding, which is perfectly natural after surgery. Our local oral surgeon will give you complete instructions to follow for the first 24 hours. You can take over-the-counter pain relief medication or we will prescribe a stronger one for you if needed. Full recovery generally takes a few days, but it's wise to take it easy for the first day after our Suffern 3rd molar extraction. Avoid smoking if at all possible. Place an ice pack on your cheek to alleviate swelling. And limit yourself to softer foods.
By Ramapo Oral & Maxillo-Facial Surgery
August 25, 2015