Wisdom Teeth Extractions – Frederick, MD
Safe & Effective Wisdom Tooth Removal
By the time the wisdom teeth start to come in (usually around the late teens or early twenties), a person already has the rest of their permanent teeth. Because of this, the wisdom teeth often don’t have enough room to erupt properly and become stuck, which can lead to a multitude of problems, including pain towards the back of the jaw, teeth crowding, and even an infection. At My Fredrick Dentist, we can help patients by removing these teeth right in our dental office, saving them from having to visit an outside specialist. In fact, we keep a close eye on the wisdom teeth during regular dental checkups so we can extract them before they cause any issues!
Why Choose My Frederick Dentist For Wisdom Teeth Extractions?
- State-of-the-Art Dental Office
- Patient Comfort is a Priority
- Highly Skilled Dental Team
The Extraction Procedure
Once we have determined that you need a wisdom tooth extraction in Frederick, the procedure will take the following steps:
- We’ll start by thoroughly numbing the treatment area with local anesthetic.
- Once a patient can’t feel anything, we’ll remove any gum and bone tissue that is still encapsulating a tooth.
- The tooth will then be removed, likely in pieces.
- The treatment site will be closed with self-dissolving stitches.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to be Removed?
Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed, but most patients require extraction in order to preserve their oral health. For patients who don’t have enough room in their mouth to accommodate these third molars, or who have impacted wisdom teeth lodged under the gums, without removal, they can become infected or increase your risk of developing problems down the road. Here are a few reasons why your emergency dentist in Frederick may suggest removing your third molars:
Based on your X-rays, we’ll determine whether your wisdom teeth can present risks to your health down the road.
Symptoms of Problems With Wisdom Teeth
Patients who suffer from advanced wisdom tooth issues often exhibit a variety of symptoms, including some of the following:
During your routine checkup and cleaning, we’ll let you know if we notice any of these common signs of wisdom tooth eruption. If so, we can develop a treatment plan to remove them and preserve the health of your other teeth.
Tips for a Quick Recovery
Many patients experience some bleeding and tenderness after their procedure. One way to help ease this and speed up the healing process for your extraction site is to maintain a soft diet for the following weeks after your procedure. It’s also important to avoid using a straw whenever possible and take any medications that we prescribe you. If you have any concerns or questions about the recovery process, you can contact our team. We’ll be more than happy to address them and make sure that you’re at ease and not in any pain while you heal.
Understanding the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Wisdom teeth may have been useful for our early ancestors, but many of us don’t have enough room in our mouths to accommodate them, warranting their removal. However, many patients worry about the cost of their upcoming procedure, so we’re here to help. We won’t be able to determine the exact cost of your wisdom tooth extraction until we can examine your smile in person. Until then, here are some things to take into consideration.
Factors that Can Impact the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extractions
The cost of wisdom tooth extractions can vary on multiple different factors. Here are the two that have the biggest influence on the cost:
- Number of Teeth: Some people don’t develop all four of their wisdom teeth, and others don’t need to have them all extracted. We will carefully examine your smile to determine what the best solution is for your unique case.
- Impaction: If your wisdom teeth are impacted, the procedure becomes more complicated and may take longer. This can increase the cost of your treatment.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Wisdom tooth extraction is considered by most dental insurance companies to be a major procedure, so it usually receives partial coverage at about 50% when deemed to be medically necessary. That being said, every plan is a little bit different, so it’s always a good idea to confirm this information with your provider before committing to any treatments. We would also be happy to help you with this process. At My Frederick Dentist, we are proud to be in-network with many popular PPO insurance plans, and we will file claims on your behalf. If you have any questions regarding your plan, feel free to give us a call.
How to Make Wisdom Tooth Extractions Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you will be left completely on your own. With our Membership Club, you can easily gain access to many of the same benefits as traditional insurance, but for a lower price and with less red tape. This means savings on basic and advanced procedures, like wisdom tooth extractions. We are also happy to accept payments through CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. To learn more about your financial options, don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly team members.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs
Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?
For many patients, the only thing stopping them from having their wisdom teeth removed is fear that the procedure will hurt. Don’t worry – we will thoroughly numb your mouth beforehand to ensure you don’t feel any pain. Plus, we will provide you with aftercare instructions to help you stay comfortable while you heal at home.
How Do You Sleep After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Getting a good night’s sleep is important because it will aid in your recovery. The good news is that there are several easy steps you can take to help prevent any soreness from arising, starting with taking OTC pain medication (as directed on the label) about 30 minutes before bed. Additionally, use a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time to alleviate uncomfortable inflammation. Make sure to keep your head elevated while you sleep as well (this will help prevent blood from rushing to your head, which can exacerbate feelings of discomfort).
Note: Depending on the type of extraction and how many teeth were removed, we may ask a trusted adult to stay with you to ensure your gauze gets changed throughout the night.
What Can I Eat After Wisdom Tooth Surgery?
Usually, it takes several hours for the numbing agent to wear off. Once it does, you can try applesauce, cottage cheese, pudding, or yogurt if you’re hungry. As your mouth heals, you can try foods that require a bit more chewing power, like cooked vegetables and scrambled eggs. Just make sure to check the temperature of anything you’re eating first; anything hot or cold can lead to uncomfortable sensitivity that lingers.
When Can I Use a Straw After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Following your wisdom tooth extraction, it’s important that you stay hydrated. That said, you cannot use a straw. Although this may seem unnecessary, it’s actually a very important rule because using one can cause the blood clot to come out of place, resulting in a painful condition known as a dry socket. Simply put, to ensure you heal as quickly and painlessly as possible, abide by all of the aftercare instructions, including not using a straw.
Does Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth?
It’s currently estimated that upwards of 37% of people are missing one or more of their wisdom teeth. In fact, there are some patients that never have any of their third molars grow in! This is often the result of genetics. So, if your parents never had wisdom teeth, you might not either.
Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed If They Don’t Hurt?
Wisdom teeth can result in numerous complications, not just pain. A few include cysts, orthodontic problems, and infections. Simply put, if your third set of molars has the potential to negatively impact the health or function of your smile, we will recommend having them removed.