Wisdom Tooth Extraction – Wethersfield, CT

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are usually the last permanent teeth to arrive, and typically appear years after the others have already erupted. Most people grow them when they’re about 17 to 25 years old, though they can sometimes show up even later.

It’s believed that our ancient ancestors developed them to survive on a rough diet of roots, plants, berries, and raw meat, which may have damaged their molars during their youth. These third molars would have allowed them to continue biting and chewing more normally. Today, they are vestigial and no longer necessary for survival, and because they can be problematic, removal is often recommended.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

Wisdom teeth tend to contribute to a variety of concerns in their attempt to clear your gumline that can harm your dental health, such as:

• Severe discomfort. They often cause tooth and jaw aches that don’t subside until they are extracted.
• It’s common for them to push neighboring teeth out of place to make room in your gumline, which can wear down your enamel or contribute to a bite misalignment.
• Additional oral issues. They often only partially clear the gumline, making them harder to brush and floss, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
• They can become trapped in the jawbone and develop a painful infection.
• Sensitive, fluid-filled sacs can form around the roots, causing disease and discomfort.

What to Expect from the Wisdom Tooth Procedure

Our team will begin your procedure by applying a local anesthetic so you might feel pressure while we work, but not outright pain. Then, if your wisdom teeth have fully cleared your gumline, there’s a chance that our team can gently elevate them from the socket using a special dental instrument, grasp them with forceps, and gently wiggle them free.

However, wisdom teeth often require surgical extraction, which involves making a small suture in the gums to access the tooth. Then, it may need to be removed in sections to avoid harming the jawbone.

Recovering from Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Your mouth must form a blood clot at the extraction site to prevent a potentially painful complication known as dry socket. Our team will provide detailed post-operative instructions intended to help protect it so you can heal as quickly and efficiently as possible. This often involves:

• Getting lots of rest. Avoid strenuous activities that elevate your heart rate or blood pressure.
• Keep your mouth clean. You can rinse with salt water for the first day, then resume brushing and flossing when you feel more comfortable to avoid infection, decay, and other issues.
• Drink lots of water, but directly from the glass, because using a straw can dislodge your blood clot.
• Stick to softer foods. You can avoid additional aches and irritation by sticking to softer, blander meals, such as scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and applesauce.
• Elevate your head at night by sleeping in your favorite recliner or propping yourself up on a pile of pillows to keep blood from pooling painfully behind the extraction site.

Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions

If you've been told you need your wisdom teeth removed, one of your first questions on your mind is probably about cost. The truth is that wisdom tooth extraction pricing isn't one-size-fits-all; it depends on several factors unique to your situation. Dr. Phadnis will evaluate your teeth and provide a personalized cost estimate during your consultation, so you'll know exactly what to expect before any treatment begins. Our goal is to make the process as transparent and stress-free as possible, and we're happy to walk you through your options every step of the way!

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