Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Impacted Wisdom Teeth in Avon, Glastonbury, and Enfield, CT

An impacted tooth is a tooth that has failed to grow in at the expected time and has fully or partially become trapped beneath the gums. Because most human jaws are too small to accommodate these wisdom teeth, these molars are especially prone to becoming impacted. When wisdom teeth are impacted or grow sideways, it can cause discomfort and damage to nearby teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth are also the perfect environment for bacteria and germs to hide, causing infections and other dental problems. Infection can lead to tooth decay, which damages other teeth, or gum disease.

For impacted wisdom teeth, the most common procedure is extraction. This will protect your oral health and your overall health by preventing future complications that can arise when these teeth become impacted. If you or your dentist suspect that you/your child have an impacted wisdom tooth, the Doctors at Avon Oral, Facial and Dental Implant Surgery will give you a complete evaluation and will plan to remove your wisdom teeth at their comfortable and welcoming practices located in Avon, Glastonbury, and Enfield.

Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

It’s possible that your wisdom teeth are impacted and are not yet causing any uncomfortable symptoms. However, if your impacted wisdom teeth removal begin to shift or become infected, you may notice some of the following:

• Swelling of the gums behind or near your back molars
• Pain when opening the mouth
• Pain or sensitivity around the back molars, especially while eating
• Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth

It is important that you/your child see your family dentist regularly for dental exams so that the wisdom teeth can be tracked before they emerge or cause oral health problems. Once detected, your dentist will recommend wisdom tooth removal, which is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Removal of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

If you or your child has been recommended for wisdom teeth removal we encourage you to contact Avon Oral, Facial and Dental Implant Surgery. You will come to one of our offices for a consultation. During this visit, you will meet with one of our surgeons and have 3D images taken of your mouth. These images help us determine the size and location of third molars, as well as identify any other oral health conditions.

We perform this surgery with IV sedation. This method of anesthesia allows patients to rest in a semi-conscious state during the procedure and wake up when it is over. Patients do not remember the surgery and do not experience any discomfort.

Our office proudly offers EXPAREL^®, the safe and long-lasting pain management option. It provides comfort following surgery and reduces or eliminates the need for narcotic medication. Learn more about EXPAREL.

An impacted wisdom tooth requires slightly different care than a regular wisdom tooth. Your surgeon may break the tooth into smaller pieces for easier removal. Your surgeon may need to make a small incision in the gum to access the tooth, which will then be stitched closed. By having impacted wisdom teeth removed, you are protecting the health of your other teeth and avoiding the possibility of many complications from arising.

Be sure to follow your post-operative instructions carefully. This way, you can properly care for the surgical sites and expedite recovery. Otherwise, you could dislodge the blood clot that forms in the empty socket, resulting in a painful condition called dry socket.

Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Third molars are an extra set of molars that are unnecessary for proper oral function. There are already molars in the back of your mouth to grind and chew food. In addition to being functionally unneeded, the average mouth simply does not have enough room to hold an extra set of molars.

Wisdom teeth are large, and their roots grow in unpredictable paths. This poses a threat to adjacent teeth, other roots, and nerves in your face. It is rare for a wisdom tooth to develop naturally without causing any issues and breaking through the gums without complications. Dentists and oral surgeons recommend having third molars extracted as soon as possible to avoid a number of problems, including dental overcrowding, misalignment, infection, pain, and more.

Why See an Oral Surgeon for Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the experts of safe and effective wisdom teeth management. A general dentist is qualified to perform simple tooth extractions that only require local anesthesia. An oral surgeon, however, is trained to administer all forms of anesthesia and perform more advanced surgical procedures. Oral surgeons use 3D scanning technology to assess the exact location and size of third molars. They safely administer IV sedation, which allows patients to rest comfortably during the procedure, and extract the teeth with great precision.

At Avon Oral, Facial and Dental Implant Surgery, Dr. Fletcherr, Dr. Gill, Dr. Hayek, and Dr. Ambrogio carefully evaluate every patient's needs on an individual basis. For care that you can depend on, visit our team of wisdom tooth experts in Avon, Glastonbury, and Enfield, Connecticut.