For many teenagers and young adults, getting their wisdom teeth removed is a rite of passage. Though some people never need to have these third molars extracted or they never develop in the first place, wisdom teeth can cause difficulties that include swelling, jaw pain, crowding, bad breath and even tumors and cysts. Wisdom teeth can also become impacted, which means that they’re not emerging. 

If your child needs his (or her) wisdom teeth removed or any other type of oral surgery, talk to the experts at Bellevue Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. We consider each patient to be unique in his/her wants, needs and preferences. We’ll evaluate your child’s case, answer all of his and your questions, and discuss any of your concerns. Our goal is to offer a clear picture of all your options and deliver the results you expect.

The removal of one or more wisdom teeth can be done two at a time or four at once. The procedure usually takes up to an hour, and is done under local anesthesia or with sedation. The extractions cause most patients’ cheeks to be swollen for up to five days, and total recovery takes up to seven days. Post-procedure pain is typically controlled by ibuprofen. Due to the recovery time and pain, parents are advised to schedule their kids’ procedures over the summer or during week-long school breaks. 

It’s likely that wisdom teeth won’t need to be removed if they are completely impacted, surrounded by bone and aren’t painful. However, it occasionally happens that the developmental cyst around the third molar turns into an aggressive and destructive cyst or, rarely, a benign tumor. 

Wisdom teeth that have only partially emerged can become decayed, spur decay on adjacent teeth or get infected.

The board-certified oral surgeons at Bellevue Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery are committed to the oral health of all of our clients. The prospect of the extraction of wisdom teeth can be disconcerting, which is why we emphasize the physical and emotional comfort of all of our patients. We have earned the trust of everyone who has come in to see use and look forward to earning yours. For more information about our practice and our other services, please call us today.

By Bellevue Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

August 24, 2021