Lakewood Ranch Cosmetic Dentistry
We believe in hugging your dentist after you get your perfect smile.
When is Wisdom Tooth Removal Needed?
Most people need their wisdom teeth removed because there isn’t enough space for them to come in properly. This is because they tend to grow in at an angle or they don’t fully emerge. Third molars (the wisdom teeth) routinely damage the teeth right next door, called second molars. When wisdom teeth come in sideways like this, it throws off your bite, creates an area where food gets caught, decays both of the teeth, and can even cause a painful infection. If you are looking for a provider for wisdom teeth removal near Lakewood Ranch, call our office at 941-216-3803 to schedule an appointment!
Potential Complications of Not Having Wisdom Teeth Removed
- Painful, swollen gums
- Infection
- Crowded or damaged surrounding teeth
- Possible damaged nerves and jawbone
Although it’s normal for patients to fear the wisdom teeth removal process, the providers at Smiles at Lakewood Ranch will perform the safest, most comfortable extraction procedure possible.
How Wisdom Teeth Removal Is Done
- Local, sedation or general anesthesia is administered
- An incision is made in the gum tissue
- The bone that blocks access to the tooth root is removed
- The wisdom tooth is removed
- The site of the removed tooth is cleaned
- The wound is stitched close to promote healing, though this isn’t always necessary
- Gauze is placed over the extraction site to control bleeding and to help a blood clot form
After surgery, your provider can evaluate the state of your teeth and advise you on the most convenient and effective schedule for successful treatment.
What Happens After Wisdom Teeth Extraction?
Generally, most patients prefer to rest for a few days after their wisdom teeth are removed. After treatment, you may experience minor bleeding and pain. If you exercise regularly, remember to stop if you get lightheaded. Everyone’s reaction varies, and pain ranges from mild to severe.
You should expect to have some swelling after surgery. It usually peaks on the second day and resolves shortly after. Closely follow your instructions to ensure maximum comfort and expedited healing. In most cases, 3 to 5 days is enough!
What to Expect After Wisdom Teeth Removal
After your procedure the provider will give you gauze for insertion over the site. Apply pressure for a solid hour after arriving home to alleviate bleeding Excess bleeding may occur if pressure is not applied. Bite firmly for 30 minutes before removal and replacement. If you run out of gauze, bite on a moistened black tea bag.
- Swelling: Expect swelling after wisdom teeth removal, particularly around your lower face the day after surgery, and peaking 2-3 days in. Not to worry, this is the body’s normal reaction to surgery. Immediately applying ice packs will diminish swelling. If you feel stiffness in your jaw muscles 48 hours after surgery, apply moist heat for muscle relaxation to help you open your mouth.
- Pain: Medication will be provided by a doctor following surgery. Consult our practice for individuals under 18. Do not simultaneously take two medications. Prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any medications you are allergic to or have been instructed by your doctor to avoid. Avoid driving a car, working around machinery, and alcohol. Pain or discomfort should subside as every day passes.
- Diet: To prevent nausea, avoid eating after wisdom teeth removal (or drinking, for that matter) for at least an hour, including anything prescribed. Only consume liquids in the 15 minutes following this hour, but do not use straws. Sucking via straw may dislodge the blood clot and cause more bleeding. Soft foods are encouraged and be sure to chew away from the surgical sites. Maintain a high calorie/protein diet and increase fluid intake to 5-6 glasses daily to avoid malnourishment. Water, Gatorade, and shakes are other good ways of maintaining nutrients.
- Change in Oral Hygiene: Do not rinse until 24 hours after surgery. After one day, rinsing 5-6 times daily is encouraged. Rinse with warm water mixed with 1 teaspoon of salt and brush your teeth 24 hours after surgery.
- Antibiotics: If you have been placed on antibiotics, take as directed to prevent infection. In the event of a rash or any other adverse reactions, discontinue usage and contact our office immediately.
What to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
So, you just had your wisdom teeth removed and are thinking about what you can eat after wisdom teeth removal?
As with most things, preparation is key. Stock up on easy-to-eat foods like popsicles, ice cream, yogurt, warm soup, Jell-O, and other foods that require little to no chewing.
When Can I Eat Solid Foods After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
For the first 24 to 48 hours, consume only liquids and soft foods such as yogurt, apple sauce, pudding, mashed potatoes, and ice cream. Cold foods are especially helpful with discomfort. As you start feeling better, you can experiment with more solid foods. By day 3, foods like soft, fluffy eggs, toast, or oatmeal can be consumed. By the fifth day, you should be able to resume eating firm foods so long as you make sure to chew slowly and avoid taking large bites.
Other Helpful Information
Slight temperature elevation after surgery is not uncommon. Tylenol or Ibuprofen can be taken to reduce the fever but be careful not to mix medications. Be wary of going from lying down to standing quickly due to lightheadedness caused by low blood sugar or medications. Wait one minute in the seated position before standing to ensure you make the transition at a reasonable pace.
You may feel hard, sharp protrusions near the surgical sites. These are likely the bony walls that support the now-removed tooth. These will usually smooth out spontaneously but can be removed if they persist. Keep your lips moist with ointment such as Vaseline to avoid dry, cracking skin. Sore throats are uncommon due to swollen jaw and neck muscles. This should subside in roughly 2-3 days.
What are Potential Postoperative Wisdom Teeth Problems?
If extraction becomes necessary, the experienced team of providers at Smiles at Lakewood Ranch will perform the safest, most comfortable extraction procedure possible. Even though many fear getting their wisdom teeth removed, you can expect considerate, efficient, quality care from our team. For more information on the process for wisdom teeth removal, or to schedule an appointment to have your wisdom teeth removed, call us at 941-216-3803 today!
Learn more about cosmetic dentistry at Smiles at Lakewood Ranch
Bone Grafting
Damage to the jawbone can occur in areas where there are missing teeth. The jawbone can deteriorate and change the facial structure and make it unsuitable for a dental implant. Luckily, today’s technology can repair the inadequate bone in preparation for dental implants through bone grafting, restoring functionality and esthetic appearance.
Botox®
Botox® is composed of botulinum toxin, a form of a purified protein used to treat a number of cosmetic and dental issues. It is injected into the facial muscles and blocks the nerve transmission to those muscles. As a result, the dynamic motion in the skin is relaxed, allowing wrinkles to smooth and disappear. Common injection sites include the forehead, the area between the eyebrows, the corners of the eyes, and the sides of the chin.
Dermal Fillers
For our patients in the Lakewood Ranch, FL area looking to regain the youthful fullness of their face, dermal fillers are a safe and effective way to decrease the wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, plump the lips, and soften facial creases. A faster and less expensive alternative to a surgical facelift, dermal fillers have a similar effect without the recovery time. Effective and easy, this has become a popular treatment.
While the use of a local anesthetic to prevent pain is sufficient for many dental patients, sedation or general anesthesia may be appropriate to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of dental procedures. Most commonly given by means of an injection or as an inhalant, general anesthesia describes a mixture of potent drugs that are used to induce a sleep-like state. Sedation and general anesthesia are safely and effectively used for thousands of dental procedures each year.
Local Anesthesia
Depending on the dental procedure, your dentist may determine that you only need a relatively small area to be numbed during surgery so that your visit is comfortable and pain-free. There are two kinds of numbing injections
When performing oral procedures that require numbing, dentists employ two kinds of local anesthesia, block injections, which numbs an entire region of your mouth, such as one side of your lower jaw, and infiltration injections, which numb a smaller area.
Socket Preservation
When a tooth is extracted, the procedure leaves behind a small hole where the tooth once was. This socket can be very sensitive at first, which is why your provider may recommend socket preservation to go along with your extraction.
A socket or alveolar ridge preservation procedure involves placing a bone graft into the socket, where the tooth once was. The goal of socket preservation is to improve the appearance of the remaining teeth and gums and to make the process of getting a dental implant at a later visit less complicated.
Soft Tissue Grafting
Soft tissue grafting is often necessary to combat gum recession. Periodontal disease, trauma, aging, over-brushing, and poor tooth positioning are the leading causes of gum recession, which can lead to tooth-root exposure in severe cases. Recent developments in dental technology have made soft tissue grafting more predictable and less intrusive.
Surgical Extractions
Sometimes trauma, gum disease, cracked or broken teeth, and tooth decay can be too significant, and despite our best efforts to save the tooth, extractions may be the best option. Here at Smiles at Lakewood Ranch, we will make the process as comfortable and pain-free as possible.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Oral health care providers recommend removing wisdom teeth before they become a more difficult and painful problem -- and to avoid a more complicated surgery. Whether your wisdom teeth have emerged or not, we offer a variety of sedation types to meet any need and ensure that your experience is comfortable and pain-free.
You deserve to smile big and laugh around friends and family.
A Beautiful Smile Restored!
In this Smiles at Lakewood Ranch case study, our patient Rosetta explains how she had an accident and broke her front tooth. Another dentist told her some bad news and, wow, is she glad she came to the experts at Smiles at Lakewood Ranch instead!
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Smiles at Lakewood Ranch
14606 E State Rd 70
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
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