Wisdom Teeth

Your wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that grow in the back of your mouth. Some patients do not grow wisdom teeth or the teeth coming in will not affect their current smile. However, it is more common that wisdom teeth will require extraction to upkeep their current smileโ€™s oral health and alignment.

Bahr Dental is happy to address problematic wisdom teeth for patients of all ages. Learn more about wisdom teeth anatomy and how our advanced dentistry can help you overcome this challenge. Call our office today to schedule an appointment to start the extraction process.

Wisdom teeth

Understanding Wisdom Teeth

Importance of Wisdom Teeth Removal

While some wisdom teeth erupt without issue, many can cause significant dental problems if left untreated. Removing them before they become a problem provides several advantages:

Prevents Overcrowding

Wisdom teeth often do not have enough room to properly emerge, causing them to push against neighboring teeth. This pressure can gradually shift your existing teeth, leading to misalignment, bite issues, and even the need for orthodontic treatment. 

Removing wisdom teeth before they cause overcrowding helps maintain the alignment of your smile and prevents costly corrections later.

Reduces Risk of Infection

Impacted or partially emerged wisdom teeth create space in the gums where bacteria can accumulate, increasing the likelihood of infections, swelling, and gum disease. 

These infections can spread to other areas of the mouth, leading to more serious oral health complications. When you remove these problematic wisdom teeth it eliminates potential breeding grounds for bacteria, allowing your smile to maintain optimal gum health and prevent infections.

Reduces Discomfort

As wisdom teeth come in, they can cause significant pain, swelling, and jaw stiffness. This discomfort can make daily activities like eating and speaking difficult. Impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to persistent headaches and jaw pain. 

By proactively removing them, you can alleviate discomfort and prevent ongoing oral health issues that may interfere with your quality of life.

Protects Surrounding Teeth

Wisdom teeth can press against adjacent teeth, leading to enamel erosion, cavities, and even root damage. This pressure can compromise the health of neighboring teeth and, in some cases, require additional dental treatments such as fillings or crowns. Removing wisdom teeth reduces the risk of damage to surrounding teeth and preserves your long-term oral health.

Eases Oral Hygiene

Wisdom teeth are often positioned at the very back of the mouth, making them difficult to clean properly. Even with diligent brushing and flossing, food particles and plaque accumulate due to the location of the teeth causing an increase of risk for decay and gum disease. 

By removing these hard-to-reach molars, you simplify your oral hygiene routine, making it easier to maintain a healthy, cavity-free smile.

Protect Your Smile with Wisdom Teeth Removal

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When You Need To Address Wisdom Teeth

Our office recommends scheduling wisdom teeth removal in advance. An X-ray and consultation can provide us with a detailed treatment plan so that we can address your dental care before the problem arises. 

While some people wait until their teeth become an issue we recommend making a plan as soon as the teeth appear at the very latest, as it is safer and less tender to treat at this point. With a consultation, we will be able to pinpoint the ideal time to perform the procedure. This tends to happen during the teen years.

However, there may be dental emergencies that may require you to extract the tooth sooner. These situations may include:

Pain Near Your Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth may cause intolerable pain around your back molars, making it difficult to digest food and go about your day.

Repeated Tooth Infections

When wisdom teeth cause tooth crowding it can create places for gum and tooth infections to grow.

Appearance of Cysts

A cyst may indicate an impacted or a ruptured wisdom tooth. Be sure to report cysts of any kind to prevent infection.

Bahr Dental is happy to offer same-day emergency dental visits for wisdom teeth removal and other surgical procedures. Give our office a call and we would be happy to schedule you as soon as availability allows. We are happy to help.

Need to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth? Next Steps

If you believe you may need your wisdom teeth to be removed then you may be anxious to know what to expect. Our process is designed to provide you with exceptional care, minimal discomfort, and a smooth recovery.

With every dental treatment, at Bahr Dental we create a detailed treatment plan based on your needs and goals. The process tends to stay the same but we are always adaptable to your specific smile situation.

Consultation & Evaluation

Your journey begins with a thorough consultation. Our team will assess your dental health using advanced digital imaging, such as panoramic X-rays or 3D scans, to determine the position, alignment, and condition of your wisdom teeth. 

This helps us identify potential issues like impaction, infection risk, or damage to adjacent teeth. During this visit, weโ€™ll discuss your symptoms, medical history, and any concerns you may have about the procedure.

We may forgo this part of the treatment if we notice your wisdom teeth during a routine X-ray and recommend that you remove them after we see them at a general dentistry appointment.

Personalized Treatment Plan

Every patientโ€™s dental anatomy is unique, and we take a customized approach to every procedure. Whether you have fully erupted, partially impacted, or fully impacted wisdom teeth, we tailor the extraction plan to your needs. 

We consider factors such as root development, proximity to nerves, and overall oral health to ensure the safest and most effective approach to removal.

Sedation and Comfort Options

Your comfort is our priority. We offer multiple sedation options to ensure a pain-free and relaxed experience. Depending on your preference and the complexity of your case, you may choose from:

  • Local Anesthesia: Numbs the extraction site while keeping you fully awake.
  • IV Sedation: Induces a relaxed, semi-conscious state for a stress-free experience.
  • General Anesthesia: Recommended for complex cases, putting you fully asleep during the procedure.

 Our team will discuss the best option for you based on your needs and medical history.

Safe & Efficient Extraction

Once you are comfortable, our skilled dentists will proceed with the extraction using advanced techniques designed to minimize trauma and promote faster healing. Depending on the position of the tooth, we may perform a simple extraction for fully erupted wisdom teeth or a surgical extraction for impacted teeth. 

Our precise approach ensures minimal impact on surrounding tissues and nerves, reducing the risk of complications.

Post-Treatment Care & Recovery

After your procedure, we provide detailed aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth and speedy recovery. Key recommendations include:

  • Applying cold compresses to reduce swelling.
  • Taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as needed.
  • Eating soft foods and staying hydrated.
  • Avoiding straws and rigorous rinsing to prevent dry sockets. We schedule follow-up appointments as needed and remain available for any concerns during your healing process.

If you are ready to start your wisdom teeth removal procedure then call us to schedule your consultation.

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Optimistic female with clean face skin looking away with smile on white background with raised hands in light studio

Handling Pain During Wisdom Teeth Removal

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What to Know Before Treatment (FAQs)

If you are considering wisdom teeth removal, you likely have questions. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns.

Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Always Necessary?

Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed. If they are healthy, fully erupted, and do not affect your bite, extraction may not be required. However, if they are impacted, causing pain, or increasing the risk of oral health issues, removal is recommended.

Will the Procedure Be Painful?

Our team prioritizes your comfort, offering various sedation options to ensure a pain-free experience. Any post-procedure discomfort is typically managed with medication and proper aftercare.

What Is the Recovery Time?

Most patients recover within a few days, though full healing may take a couple of weeks. We provide detailed post-operative instructions to help minimize swelling and discomfort.

Are there Dietary Restrictions After Surgery?

Yes, we recommend a soft food diet for the first few days, avoiding hot, spicy, and crunchy foods. Hydration is key, but avoid using straws to prevent dry sockets.

Schedule Wisdom Teeth Removal Near Bountiful, UT

Handle your troublesome wisdom teeth with the aid of Dr. Bahr and Dr. Segura. Our advanced dental technology and techniques provide seamless results for your wisdom teeth removal. Protect your smile, preserve alignment, and improve your oral health with personalized wisdom teeth removal. Schedule an appointment with Bahr Dental to get started today!