Wisdom Teeth

As we mentioned before, wisdom teeth are considered the third molars. These teeth live at the back of your mouth. At one time, these teeth were vitally important to a person’s ability to eat because they could easily grind and shred food. However, as humans evolved, people’s jaws became narrower and food less coarse, thus, the need for these teeth became less and less.

Some people consider wisdom tooth removal in Harris County to be a “rite of passage” for teenagers, mainly because these teeth often appear in the later teen years. While not all people require the removal of their wisdom teeth, others will need to have them extracted, especially if any of the following is occurring:

• The wisdom teeth are impacted (laying below the gum line)
• Healthy teeth near the wisdom teeth are damaged
• Signs of infection exist
• Cysts or tumors are present

Should you or your child learn that your wisdom teeth need to be removed, understand that this is an extremely common procedure and can significantly minimize the likeliness of more serious and costly problems in the future.

Before beginning any type of wisdom tooth removal, we will administer a local anesthetic to ensure you feel no discomfort during the procedure. Depending on whether your teeth are partially erupted or impacted, our team will either remove the tooth with dental pliers by gently moving it back and forth until it releases, or we will make a small incision in your gums to expose the impacted tooth and surgically extract it.

If wisdom teeth are impacted, it may be necessary to remove it in pieces to make the process much simpler.

In most cases, wisdom teeth extractions are covered under insurance. It is important that you speak to a representative with your dental insurance company to determine what your out-of-pocket expenses will be. This will help to determine how best to manage your budget and continue to get the care you need.

Different factors can determine the cost of your treatment, including:

• The number of teeth that need to be removed
• The type of procedure that needs to be performed (simple or complex)

If you need assistance in paying for the remaining costs of your treatment, our team is here to help, so don’t be afraid to ask.

It’s important that you remember the following instructions after having your wisdom teeth removed. If you want your recovery to move swiftly and be a success, make sure to:

• Get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activity in the days after your procedure
• Change your gauze by replacing it every few hours
• Carefully rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to cleanse the area
• Eat soft foods for several days and slowly incorporate other foods as the days pass
• Avoid using a straw for at least 48 hours
• Avoid smoking or using tobacco for at least 48 hours