Wisdom Teeth Extractions in Houston, TX
Located in the heart of Houston, Antoine Dental Center fields a team of wisdom teeth extraction experts. Sometimes the wisest thing to do for your mouth is to remove some of your teeth. The most common example is your third molars, also known as wisdom teeth. We know from looking at fossils that human mouths are now smaller than those of our ancestors. As a result, many people do not have enough space to allow their wisdom teeth to erupt completely and correctly. When this happens, your best move is to have those teeth removed. And the best way to monitor your wisdom teeth is to visit the dentists at Antoine Dental Center in Houston for regular cleanings and examinations. Below, we explain why your wisdom teeth can cause problems, and why it may be better to have them removed.
Why are they called wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth got their name because of when they emerge. Most of your permanent teeth have erupted by the time you are 12 or 13 years old. Your third molars generally erupt between the ages of 17 and 21, when you are presumed to be wiser than you were when your second molars came in.
How people view wisdom teeth today
Today, many people consider wisdom teeth to be a vestigial part of our bodies, like our appendix or our tonsils. Once upon a time, these parts served a distinct purpose in human development, but today you generally only hear about them when they are causing a problem and need to be removed.In the case of our wisdom teeth, our ancestors ate a much rougher diet than we do today. Our molars, the bigger and flatter teeth in the back of our mouths, are used to grind and chew food. Wisdom teeth provided another surface to grind their food, which meant less wear and tear on each individual tooth. Our modern diets include a lot of softer foods, which means they are much easier to break down. As a result, we don’t need our wisdom teeth like earlier humans once did.
Space invaders
Some people are lucky. They have room in their mouths for their wisdom teeth, and those teeth come in cleanly without any issues. For the rest of us, wisdom teeth cause problems. If you do not have enough space for your wisdom teeth, then they may become impacted. Wisdom teeth that are completely impacted may never break the surface of your gums, but they can still create trouble below the surface. These teeth may grow sideways instead, pushing into your other teeth. This can cause your existing teeth to press into one another and to get pushed out of alignment. In some cases, an impacted tooth may grow toward a nerve in your jaw instead. This can become truly painful. Some people don’t experience any pain initially because of an impacted wisdom tooth. The tooth may create a pocket inside your gums, which is the perfect place for bacteria to build plaque and tartar. This may cause gum disease or an infection that could damage your jawbone. As the name implies, partially impacted teeth erupt part of the way. They can cause similar problems to completely impacted teeth. They can push your other teeth into one another, cause misalignments, create pain, and allow gum disease to develop.
A wise move
As long as you continue coming to our office for routine care, we will keep an eye on your tooth development with X-rays and 3D imaging. If we see a problem developing, we will recommend extracting your wisdom teeth. Please know that your comfort is important to us throughout your procedure. We will start by numbing the area of your mouth that will be affected. If you prefer, we also offer dental sedation options to make sure you won’t feel and won’t remember any of the procedure. We may be able to extract your wisdom teeth like any other tooth, but in some cases, we may need to remove your teeth surgically.
What to expect after removing your wisdom teeth
After we remove your wisdom teeth, it’s important that you follow your dentist’s instructions. You may experience some swelling and discomfort in the days after the procedure. As your mouth heals, you will need to avoid brushing near the location of the extracted teeth, avoid using straws, and avoid smoking or using tobacco products.
What is the average cost for wisdom teeth extraction in Houston?
Wisdom teeth extraction generally costs anywhere from $200 to $650, depending on the difficulty of the extraction and other factors. The lowest price is usually for a simple extraction, while the highest price is for more complicated extractions. Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost, so be sure to check with your insurance carrier before you undergo the procedure.
What happens when you get your wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth extraction is a basic oral surgery, so you may experience pain and swelling in your gums and tooth socket where the tooth was removed. You might experience bleeding for about 24 hours after the procedure as well as inflammation.
