Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Spotsylvania, VA

If you have a wisdom tooth that has become impacted or is causing severe pain and discomfort, it may be necessary to remove it. At Smile Lake Anna, we provide wisdom teeth extraction services for our patients in Spotsylvania, VA.

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to erupt and usually start to erupt between the ages of 17-25. They can be impacted or partially erupted (not fully developed), and if not removed, they may cause problems such as jaw pain, headaches, and other dental issues. To prevent these problems from occurring, oral surgery may be necessary.

What is Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure that involves removing the impacted tooth from its socket and is performed by our oral surgeon under local anesthesia. Wisdom teeth removal can help you avoid future complications and improve your overall oral health.

Health Benefits of Having Third Molar Extraction

Your third molars can cause several problems if not taken care of properly. These include infection, crowding, and damage to nearby teeth. By having your third molar removed, you’ll be able to prevent these issues from occurring.

Reduce the Risk of Infection

If left untreated, they can become infected and spread bacteria throughout the mouth. This includes inside your gums, which could result in abscesses, tooth decay, and bone loss. Removing your third molar prevents this from happening.

Prevent Damage to Adjacent Teeth

When your third molars aren't removed, they can push against neighboring teeth and cause them to shift position which leads to fractured teeth or damaged teeth.

Prevent Orthodontic Problems Caused by Overcrowding

Your teeth may become crowded as your wisdom teeth begin to come through. When this happens, they can press on surrounding teeth and cause them to move into different positions. This can lead to crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, and dental pain. If you remove your wisdom teeth before they become impacted, you lessen the likelihood of having orthodontic treatment for teeth misalignment.

What to Expect After Your Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery

After your wisdom tooth removal surgery, you can return to your normal activities. Just make sure that you follow post-operative instructions from our oral surgeon and maintain good oral hygiene to help ensure proper healing.

Avoid eating hard foods like nuts, popcorn, and candy in the first 24 hours after surgery. Try to stick with soft foods instead like soups, smoothies, yogurt, or ice cream.
Don’t smoke, vape, or chew tobacco products as this will slow down the recovery process and increase the risk of complications.
Drink plenty of water. But avoid using a straw, as this can cause a dry socket.
Avoid any strenuous activities for a few days to avoid breaking the blood clot from the tooth socket.
Take prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection.
Put an ice pack over the affected area for 15 minutes every two hours until the swelling subsides.

Request an Appointment With Us Today

Contact us today to learn more about our oral healthcare services and how we can help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile! We look forward to meeting you and providing you with all of the dental treatment you need.