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Wisdom Teeth Removal
Washington DC

Wisdom Teeth Removal

For the majority of people, wisdom teeth will cause problems. However, all wisdom teeth does not needed to be extracted, it is depending on the size of your jaws, some people can accommodate 32 teeth without problems. If you’re suffering from pain or discomfort as a result of your wisdom teeth, it’s time to schedule an appointment at DC Dental Spa.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction Dentist DC

Wisdom teeth removal is a dental procedure to remove either one or more of the third set of permanent molars located at the very back of your mouth, both top and bottom arches.

Across thousands of years our skulls and mouths have evolved. Originally there was adequate room in the mouth for 32 teeth, but with this change both arches are now smaller.  The average adult human mouth is now designed to comfortably hold around 28 teeth, but many people still have more. These additional teeth are the third molars, or the wisdom teeth. These molars usually erupt between the ages of 17 to 25.

Our compassionate and thoughtful team at DC Dental Spa are quite thorough when it comes to performing a wisdom tooth exam. We will use the latest in advanced dental technology available to us and along with our warm and friendly atmosphere will evaluate your situation to find the proper solution quickly. Call 202-333-9282 for your initial consultation and let us help you determine if it is in your best interests to have your wisdom teeth removed.

When wisdom teeth form, they often become impacted, or blocked, by the other teeth around them.  If the tooth partially erupts, food often gets trapped in the gum tissue surrounding it, which will lead to bacteria growth and a serious infection. Due to the crowding issues, if the wisdom tooth fully erupts it often comes in crooked and crowds the entire arch.

DC Dental Spa recommends that you remove wisdom teeth when your children are young adults, to prevent future problems and to ensure optimal healing. If you have your wisdom teeth removed after the age of 35 you might have a higher risk for complications, a more difficult surgery, and experience a longer healing time than if you had the wisdom teeth removed in your late teens or early 20’s. The best time to get your wisdom teeth removed is when the roots are about two-thirds formed, which is generally between the ages of 15 to 18.

For our adult patients, we will take extra care to determine whether to recommend surgical removal or to just continue observation until an intervention is indeed necessary.  When we treat adult patients, we utilize special expertise and techniques and on occasions, regenerative materials to promote optimal healing.

Why Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

If there is not enough room in your mouth for your third molars to fully erupt properly, several problems can develop. Your impacted wisdom teeth should be removed before their root structure is fully developed. Sometimes this is as early as ages 12 or 13, and in others it may not be until your early twenties. Problems tend to increase in frequency after the age of 30. Some of the possible problems related to not having your wisdom teeth removed include:

  • Possible Crowding: Impacted wisdom teeth will contribute to the crowding of your teeth. This is most noticeable with your front teeth, primarily the lower front teeth and is most seen after you have had braces. There are several factors that cause teeth to crowd after braces or in early adulthood. Retained, impacted wisdom teeth may be a contributing factor. Unless you have an active problem when you see the team at DC Dental Spa, the reason for your wisdom teeth removal is primarily to prevent any long-term damage to your teeth, gums, and jawbone.
  • Damage to Adjacent Teeth: If there is inadequate room for you to clean around the wisdom tooth, the tooth directly in front of it, the second molar, can be then adversely affected resulting in gum disease, bone loss around the tooth, and decay.
  • Infection: The most frequent clinical problem we see is pericoronitis, a localized gum infection. Without enough room for the total eruption, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth will become irritated and infected, which results in pain, swelling, and problems with chewing and swallowing.
  • Cyst Formation: Non-infectious diseases can also arise in association with an impacted wisdom tooth. Cysts are fluid-filled pockets or balloons inside the jawbone that develop because of impacted teeth. They will slowly expand destroying the adjacent jawbone and sometimes neighboring teeth. They can be difficult to treat if your wisdom teeth are not removed in your teenage years. Although rare, tumors can be associated with the delayed removal of wisdom teeth.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction Process

At DC Dental Spa, we promote a compassionate and comfortable office environment where you can receive the care you need while remaining at ease. For your wisdom tooth extraction procedure, we understand that many patients would prefer to be at least somewhat unaware of the process, which is why soothing anesthesia and sedation options are available. Our state-of-the-art technology provides a precise experience that minimizes discomfort.

Once the area is properly numb, if the tooth has erupted, we use a dental instrument call an elevator to simply extract the tooth. If the tooth is impacted, we surgically open the gum to get access to the tooth. Depending on the root development the tooth may just be extracted or portioned and removed in sections. Then the site is sutured closed.

Aftercare and Recovery Instructions

The day of your procedure surgery, we will review these instructions with you in detail and answer any questions you may have. Your mouth will need adequate time to heal following your wisdom teeth removal, and we ask that you give it the suggested time it needs before resuming your usual activities. We want your recovery to proceed as quickly and smoothly as possible. Your recovery should only last three to five days on average.

What Does Wisdom Tooth Removal Cost and Is It Covered by Insurance?

The fee for your treatment is determined by a variety of factors. These will include the difficulty involved in removing your teeth, the number of wisdom teeth to be removed, and which type of anesthesia is best for you. During your initial consultation appointment, we will review your x-rays, complete the full examination, and determine the best option for your anesthesia, before an accurate estimate can be provided. Many insurance companies have different terms regarding the extent of coverage for wisdom teeth removal. Our staff will help you obtain maximum insurance coverage for your treatment.

High Quality Care You Can Trust

At DC Dental Spa our downtown office we are very experienced in these common issues and will work to accommodate your busy schedule. We not only love sharing in your positive results you will achieve but also the gratification that comes with the development of extended relationships with all our patients. We are very compassionate, caring, and thoughtful about exercising preventative overall dental health and delivering the enjoyment that comes with your healthy smile. Visit us today at DC Dental Spa, 730 24th St. NW, Suite 9, Washington, DC, 20037, or call 202-333-9282 for an evaluation and consultation to see if either you or your child is a candidate for wisdom teeth removal.

 

 

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