Third molars are called “wisdom teeth” because they usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 21. Wisdom teeth are usually nuisances if they erupt in the wrong position or if your mouth can’t accommodate them. In that event, an oral surgeon/maxillofacial surgeon is the best dental professional to remove them.

Bellevue Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery’s state-of-the-art facility gives us the tools to treat our patients with the utmost precision. We combine our knowledge of traditional methods with advanced technology to get the best possible results. Our stellar reputation is known throughout the area.

If you need to have some or all of your wisdom teeth extracted, here’s what to anticipate. 

It’s surgery on an outpatient basis, which means you’ll be in and out on the same day. If you need only a local anesthesia or a local anesthesia and a sedative, you’ll still be in the dental chair when the procedure is over. If you had general anesthesia, you will likely wake up in a recovery room. 

If you were sedated, try to get a ride home. If you had general anesthesia, you’ll be required to have a friend or relative (not a taxi or car service) drive you. 

On your surgery day and the next few after, you’ll have pain and swelling and a bit of bleeding. On those days you’ll also be restricted to extremely soft foods and need to refrain from caffeine, smoking, alcohol and using a straw. 

Use an ice pack as soon as you want. The oral surgon will give you antibiotics and prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers and instructions on their use. 

You can return your daily routine the day after surgery, but eschew actions (vigorous exercise, spitting and, still, smoking and using a straw) that could disrupt the extraction sites’ stitches and blot clots. You will feel better by the third day, and any bleeding and pain will be gone after seven days.

At the office of Bellevue Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we pride ourselves on our sophisticated approaches to oral/ maxillofacial surgery. Our main focus, however, is to ensure that all of our patients feel cared for and comfortable. For more information about our office, please don’t hesitate to call for an appointment.

By Bellevue Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

September 28, 2022

Third molars, which are our four rearmost molars, were indispensable when humans subsisted on roots, nuts and raw meat.But our diets have radically changed since then, and we don’t necessarily need them. They were dubbed “wisdom teeth” because they erupt between the ages of 17 and 21—a period that’s supposed to be the “age of wisdom.” These days, though, it’s wise to monitor the progress of their eruption. They can cause trouble in a variety of ways and may need to be removed by an oral surgeon. 

At the office of Bellevue Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we are experts at removing wisdom teeth as well as any other kind of oral and maxillofacial surgery. We guide our patients through their diagnoses, treatments and post-treatments with skill and compassion. 

Ignoring your wisdom teeth is, well, not wise. They must be monitored early on to assess their positions and conditions. If a mouth hasn’t enough room to let them grow in and be properly maintained, they could become infected, damage neighboring teeth and disrupt the proper positions of some or all of the existing teeth. Extraction is recommended when one or more wisdom teeth have been deemed a source of crowding. 

Many people have at least one wisdom tooth that becomes impacted, meaning that itbecomes partially or fully trapped in the gum or jawbone. Its asymmetrical position makes it prone to cavities, disease and infection, all of which are excellent reasons to have it surgically removed.

Wisdom teeth in younger patients are easier to remove because the surrounding bone is softer and the roots have yet to grow deep. Those factors make the surgery less complicated and the recovery faster. Extraction at an early age also minimizes the risk of damaging nearby nerves. 

Even when third molars enter the mouth correctly and with no evidence of disease or cavities, people must be extremely vigilant in assuring that the teeth stay healthy. The areas that wisdom teeth inhabit can be tough to clean with dental floss, toothbrushes and water flossers. Bacteria, food particles and plaque can build up and induce gum disease, cavities and cysts. 

An oral and maxillofacial doctor specializes in performing surgeries of the face, mouth and jaw. When you need an oral and maxillofacial surgery practice that’s dedicated to providing the highest standard of personalized care, look no further than Bellevue Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. We offer an extensive menu of high-quality services for people of all ages. For more information about our many services, please contact us today.

By Bellevue Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

June 28, 2022

Despite their lofty name, the presence of wisdom teeth do not confer upon their hosts any particular insight or intelligence. In fact, the people who don’t even have wisdom teeth may be all the more wise for never having to put up with the pain they frequently cause.

If you have concerns about or are already experiencing discomfort from your wisdom teeth, the oral surgeon at Bellevue Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is best trained and equipped to deal with these extra molars tucked way back in the corners of your mouth. We will determine if the presence of your unwanted guests are causing problems like decay, infections, overcrowding, or are becoming impacted, and recommend whether extracting these nuisances is the best course of treatment. If extraction is indicated, you can feel confident knowing that we provide an industry-best patient experience, maximizing your comfort during the outpatient procedure and ensuring a rapid recovery.

So, why are they called wisdom teeth, anyway? The commonly held belief is because these wisdom teeth “erupt” a good deal later than the other teeth, at an age of between 17 or 20 years old. Sometimes these extra molars actually emerge without causing any trouble, and may even provide some extra chewing power. But when their arrival pushes against your other teeth, or only emerge half way, a variety of issues can arise. They can make your teeth harder to clean, leading to trapped food particles that resist regular brushing and flossing. This opens the door to tooth decay and infections.

There’s no need to live with the discomfort, complications and uncertainty caused by wisdom teeth. The oral surgeon at Bellevue Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery can answer your questions and calm your concerns en route to providing safe, comfortable treatment in the comfort of our state-of-the-art facility. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office today to schedule a consultation. 

By Bellevue Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

January 24, 2022