Wisdom Teeth Removal in Newark and New Brunswick, NJ
Wisdom teeth, or your third set of molars, are no different from your other teeth. Due to their size and lateness to erupt they can cause problems as they come in and may need to be removed. Serving patients in the tri-state area, Rutgers Health University Dental Associates provides wisdom teeth removal services out of our offices in Newark and New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Why Extract Wisdom Teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are molars that grow into our mouths, typically between 17-21 years of age – long after the rest of your teeth have finished developing. Many jaws do not have room to accommodate them, which can lead to the following problems that wisdom teeth removal can prevent:
Crowding
As wisdom teeth grow into a too-small space, they can crowd your mouth and result in other teeth shifting or not erupt. This also makes your teeth harder to clean and can lead to decay.
Pathology
May develop in association with wisdom teeth and should be at the very least monitored by examination and radiographs.
Impaction
If your jaw doesn’t have room at all, then your wisdom teeth may become trapped in the jaw or gum. This is painful and might damage the roots of nearby teeth.
If you’re experiencing any of these difficulties, come see us as soon as possible. Rutgers Health University Dental Associates can also perform the surgery before your teeth begin to grow, preventing damage from occurring in the first place.
When to Remove Them
We encourage you to consult with us about wisdom tooth renewal when you are 17, 18, or 19 years old. Our specialists can take an oral X-ray to see how your wisdom teeth are developing and whether you’re likely to experience any problems as they grow. You should also consult if you are feeling any symptoms of problematic wisdom teeth growth, such as:
- Jaw pain
- Shifting or soreness in your back molars
- Crowded teeth
- Infection and/or decay
- Sore gums
About the Procedure
Wisdom teeth removal typically takes 45 minutes or less. In some cases, your oral surgeon may have to cut the gum or bone to remove them. If so, you’ll receive a few stitches so the cuts will heal quickly and without complications. Before the surgery begins, we will administer a type of anesthetic to prevent discomfort during the procedure. Common anesthetics for oral surgery include:
Local Anesthetic
The surgeon delivers an injection of local anesthesia to numb your mouth. You won’t feel the surgery, but you’ll likely stay awake for the procedure.
IV Sedation
The surgeon numbs your mouth and injects an intravenous sedative that will make you feel drowsy, even sleep through the procedure and usually not recall the surgery.
General Anesthetic
You are put to sleep with an injected or inhaled anesthetic. You may not wake up for up to an hour after the surgery is completed. Severe cases are sometimes performed in the operating room.
Everyone responds differently to an anesthetic. You will be required to have someone drive you home if you receive sedation or general anesthesia for your dental surgery. Plan to take the next few days off work and hire childcare if needed so you have time to recover. Stock up on healthy fluids and soft foods for your recovery, have ice packs handy, and don’t forget to take your antibiotics and pain medications if prescribed by your doctor.
Make an Appointment Today
At Rutgers Health University Dental Associates, we aren’t just dentists. We’re also respected professors at Rutgers University who treat patients, teach the new generation of dental health professionals, and contribute research to oral medicine. Trust our experts to give you the highest-quality care for your wisdom tooth removal and get started today. To schedule an appointment, contact us in Newark at 973-972-2444 or New Brunswick at 732-235-5050.