Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Fayetteville

The most commonly extracted teeth are the wisdom teeth, which are actually the third set of molars that tend to come in around the ages of 16-21. These teeth were essential for our caveman ancestors who subsisted on a diet of coarse fruits/vegetables and uncooked meats, but these days, they only tend to cause problems. As humans evolved and cooking techniques improved, our diet became much easier to eat, and as a result, the lower jaw gradually shrunk. So now when the wisdom teeth start to come in, it usually spells trouble. Fortunately, Dr. Don M. Chaney and the team at DMC Dental can provide wisdom tooth extractions in Fayetteville so local families can get the care they need without having to visit an expensive specialist.

Why the Wisdom Teeth Are Removed

Why do most people have their wisdom teeth removed? It’s because the modern human mouth simply doesn’t have room for them! Due to the jaw’s decreased size which we touched on above, the wisdom teeth tend to put pressure on the other teeth as they erupt, which can lead to:

• Pain towards the back of the jaw
• A flap of gum tissue that can trap food particles and lead to cavities
• Teeth crowding
• An infection in the wisdom tooth that can reach the bone

In order to avert all of these issues, our team will look at a patient’s wisdom teeth at every standard checkup. If we think an issue is going to pop up soon (or if one already has), we can organize to have the troubled tooth/teeth removed right here in our office.

How a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Works

There are two distinct types of wisdom tooth extractions: simple and surgical.

A simple extraction is used when a tooth has already fully erupted and is similar to how we would remove any other tooth. For this, your dentist in Fayetteville will begin by numbing the area around the tooth and gripping it with a pair of dental forceps, and then they’ll gently rock it back and forth until the tooth slips out on its own. Between this approach and the anesthesia, most patients don’t even feel it when the tooth actually comes out!

More commonly, however, we need to remove the wisdom teeth surgically because they are still fully or partially in the jawbone/gum line. With this procedure, we’ll start by deeply sedating a patient so they basically sleep the entire time. Then, Dr. Chaney will remove any gum/bone tissue that is holding the tooth in place, and then he’ll extract the tooth itself, likely in pieces. He’ll then seal the treatment area using self-dissolving stitches.

Aftercare

Most patients will experience a bit of soreness, swelling, and bleeding in the treatment area immediately following a wisdom tooth extraction. They’ll be advised to keep gauze in their mouth for a few days afterward and change it out regularly. We also ask them to initially stick to a soft food diet as well (we suggest stocking up on items like soup, yogurt, and pudding before the extraction). We recommend taking the day of the procedure to just rest, and after that, a patient should be able to return to their normal activities. After a week or so, they’ll be able to resume their regular diet as well.

If you or a loved one are experiencing any pain or issues due to the wisdom teeth, just give DMC Dental a call. We’ll quickly be able to identify the problem and take care of it at your earliest convenience. To learn more about wisdom tooth extractions and schedule an appointment, simply contact us today.