Wisdom Tooth Removal![]() What Are Wisdom Teeth?Wisdom teeth are a third set of permanent molars that erupt at a much later date than the rest of your teeth. They tend to appear between the ages of 17 and 25. For some, they erupt normally without issue. For others, they cause several detrimental issues for your oral health. Some people are born with four wisdom teeth, while some have none at all. During a consultation appointment, Dr. Jeffrey Crowley will perform a series of diagnostic tests to determine the number of wisdom teeth present and their location. This typically includes digital x-rays or 3D imaging technology. Problems Associated With Wisdom TeethDue to biological, evolutionary, and dietary reasons, wisdom teeth are no longer necessary. Because they erupt at a later date, there is often not be enough room in the jaw to accommodate an extra set of molars. This can result in several problems, the most common being an impacted tooth. Without enough space, a wisdom tooth can get trapped underneath the gum tissue, or only partially erupt. This can cause the tooth to:
If a wisdom tooth does erupt, and there is minimal space in the jaw, it also causes crowding issues and misalignments (malocclusions). The new tooth may push your existing teeth out of the proper alignment. An extraction can prevent these problems before they occur, keeping your smile healthy and beautiful for years to come. Removal ProcedureMost wisdom teeth removals involve brief surgery. A surgical extraction is performed on a tooth that has yet to erupt above the gum tissue. We typically recommend a surgical extraction as a preemptive measure. During your surgical extraction, Dr. Jeffrey Crowley will make a small incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth. Next, we usually need to break the tooth into several pieces, which makes removal process much more simple. In some cases, we may also need to remove a small portion of the supportive bone. Once the tooth is completely out, we will suture the incision. This process is then repeated for each wisdom tooth in need of removal. After your surgery, we will give you a detailed set of post-operative instructions. Follow these instructions closely to reduce your risk of developing any complications. Most people recover from the procedure quickly and without issue. Schedule a ConsultationFind out now if you or your child is need of wisdom teeth removal. Call (971) 447-0164 to schedule a consultation today. |
![]() Phone(971) 447-0164 Office HoursMon - 7:00am-5:00pm Tue - 7:00am-5:00pm Wed - 8:00am-5:00pm Thu - 7:00am-5:00pm Fri - 7:00am - 12:00pm |