Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Bloomfield, CT

Gentle Extractions to Support Your Long-Term Oral Health

Young man smiling after wisdom tooth extractions

Did you know that your body is thousands of years old? Not your particular body, but human beings as we know them developed a long time ago. Needless to say, life has changed much faster than nature can keep up with, and this can occasionally lead to modern problems, specifically with your wisdom teeth. Thankfully, our dentist offers wisdom tooth extractions in Bloomfield, CT knows just how to handle them.

Why Choose Family Dental Practice of Bloomfield for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?

  • Comfortable, Gentle Treatment
  • Empathetic Team
  • Sedation Dentistry Available

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

3 D rendering of smile with wisdom teeth highlighted

Your third set of molars, colloquially known as your wisdom teeth, are called that because they typically do not develop and erupt until the adult years. These teeth are a bit of an anachronism, in that they were very useful to our ancestors who commonly ate very tough foods like roots and uncooked meats, but serve little purpose today. Most adults long ago lost some of their molars by the time they reached maturity, which allowed the wisdom teeth room to erupt. Thanks to modern dentistry and today’s diet, the wisdom teeth commonly causing crowding in the mouth, and this can lead to a variety of issues.

Common Problems with Wisdom Teeth

Animated smile with impacted wisdom tooth

Wisdom teeth that are trying to erupt can create a lot of pressure. This not only can be quite painful, but can also cause your teeth to become crowded and misaligned. The wisdom teeth can then become impacted, which basically means they are stuck beneath your gumline. Eventually, they can become infected, and this can not only cause more pain, but may require extensive surgery to remove safely.

How They Are Removed

Young woman holding up her extracted wisdom tooth and smiling

To save you from complications related to your wisdom teeth, your dentist will always examine your wisdom teeth whenever you come in for a checkup. If they notice something that could eventually lead to a problem, they may advise you to have them removed.

If the wisdom teeth have already erupted, then the process is very similar to a normal extraction. The surrounding area will be numbed with local anesthesia, and the doctor will use tools to gently wiggle the tooth out. Gauze will be applied to manage the bleeding, and healing time should only take a few days.

If your doctor chooses to remove your wisdom teeth before they have erupted, this is a more involved procedure. You will be placed under a light form of anesthesia, and the doctor will make a small incision in your gums to remove your teeth. Afterward, they will use self-dissolving stitches to close the surgery site.

Recovery from this procedure typically takes about a week. The jaw will probably be swollen, and initially, the surgery sites will need to have a dressing that is changed every few hours. Any pain or discomfort can be easily managed with medication that you will be prescribed. You probably will need to have a soft diet and limit your physical activity to allow yourself to heal. The timeline for recovery is different for everyone, but if you notice any extra swelling or pain, please call us immediately.

Any Questions?

Person using laptop to ask their dentist a question

It is always best to take care of your wisdom teeth before they start causing you pain, and one of the best ways to do that is by getting regular checkups with us. The doctors will be able to spot any potential difficulties with your wisdom teeth and remove them before they can cause you any real trouble.

If you would like to know more about getting your wisdom teeth extracted, or you think it is already time for them to come out, please give us a call today.