Wisdom Teeth Removal in Scottsdale, AZ

If you’re wondering what wisdom teeth are and how to go about the tooth removal process in Scottsdale, Arizona, you’ve come to the right place for more info. For years we at Scottsdale Dental Solutions have helped people throughout the valley look their best by providing them with state-of-the-art dental care and oral surgery. That same level of commitment applies when patients visit us for wisdom teeth extraction (otherwise called third molar surgery).

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Third molars are commonly called wisdom teeth. These teeth usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25, although they can emerge much later in life. They typically show up in a person’s late high school/college years or during young adulthood. Wisdom Teeth generally are the last teeth to come through the gums, and for some people, they may never be able to come in at all. Although their presence is not necessary, most people have them removed because they can pose some health risks.

How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

The procedure for removing a wisdom tooth is called an extraction. It is a brief surgical procedure that is usually performed under local anesthesia in our Scottsdale office. After administering the necessary local anesthetic, we begin the procedure by removing soft tissue around the tooth, bacteria, and debris from between the gum line and the tooth. We then carefully remove the tooth itself, making sure not to damage nearby structures, including nerves or blood vessels. The incision site is closed with dissolvable stitches, after which healing can begin.

Remove Wisdom Teeth Pain and Stress-free Under Dental Sedation

It might sound like going in for wisdom tooth surgery is something you would rather avoid, but it’s actually an easy process that usually takes less than a half-hour! As always at Dr. Sheth’s Office, our goal is to keep patients feeling calm and relaxed through every bit of their treatment – even extractions! By removing your third molars, we can help prevent future health problems and make sure you’re comfortable during the procedure.

We offer sedation dentistry to ensure you’re safe and comfortable for those patients who might be anxious about having their wisdom teeth or any other teeth extracted. We offer IV sedation, nitrous oxide gas (laughing gas), or oral sedation so that you can make your visit as stress-free as possible. We want you to feel relaxed and calm during every bit of your procedure.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction After Care

After undergoing a wisdom tooth extraction procedure, it’s very important that you follow your dentist’s directions.

The post-operative instructions for wisdom tooth removal vary based on various factors, including whether or not the patient has had surgery before and what kind of oral sedation was used during the procedure. We will be sure to discuss these with you at your visit before we begin any work.

• Swelling – Swelling is one of the most common side effects of having a tooth extracted. It’s normal to experience some swelling after an extraction, but this can usually be controlled by using an ice pack on the affected area to minimize any post-operative pain or discomfort you feel.
• Drink Plenty Of Fluids – The next step for post-operation care is ensuring that your mouth stays hydrated so it can begin healing effectively. Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. This will also help prevent infection.
• Bleeding – While there are rarely any complications after wisdom teeth removal, it is possible to experience bleeding during the healing process at the extraction site. This is why Dr. Sheth will ask you to bite on a piece of gauze or apply pressure in order to prevent excessive blood loss.
• Pain – You might feel some pain due to swelling and inflammation at the site where your wisdom tooth was removed. To help relieve this discomfort, do not smoke and avoid drinking alcohol for the first 48 hours after surgery.
• Discomfort – Mild soreness should not interfere with sleep, but if you are having significant difficulty sleeping post-extraction, please contact our office so we can accommodate you as needed. You may also find that hard foods cause more pain than soft foods.
• Dental Care – Following tooth extraction, avoid disturbing the clot. After 24 hours, you can gently rinse your mouth with warm saltwater and gently brush your teeth, but take special care to avoid the stitched area.
• Limit Physical Activity – You shouldn’t do much in the way of exercise after having your wisdom teeth removed, but it’s important that you avoid strenuous activity until your swelling subsides.
• Medications – Take the medications that your dentist prescribes. We recommend Ibuprofen or Tylenol because they are anti-inflammatory medications.
• Eating – Be careful what you eat and drink during this time. Avoid chewing hard food or drink a carbonated beverage as these activities can cause the blood clot to become dislodged. Make sure to eat soft foods like yogurt, Jello, mashed potatoes, etc.
• Smoking – Avoid smoking after a wisdom tooth extraction for the first 48 hours, as this can slow your healing process.

Our goal at Dr. Sheth’s Office is to ensure that every patient has an excellent experience when they undergo any procedure, including wisdom teeth removal surgery.