Safe & Gentle Wisdom Tooth Extractions
While no patient wants to hear they need a tooth removed, sometimes it’s the best option to preserve their oral health. This is especially true for wisdom teeth, which often become impacted when they fail to emerge.
While there are a few exceptions, most people’s mouths don’t have enough space to accommodate the eruption of their wisdom teeth. This results in a vast majority of patients needing to undergo wisdom tooth removal.
At Lehigh Valley Oral Surgery & Implant Center, Dr. Chaudhry can quickly and painlessly remove your wisdom teeth. Read on to learn more about our removal process and how Dr. Chaudhry will ensure your comfort and safety throughout the procedure.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that typically erupt during a patient’s late teens to early twenties. When a wisdom tooth is blocked from erupting properly, it becomes impacted. This can happen for several reasons, including not enough space in the jaw or interference from a neighboring tooth.
It’s vital to remove impacted wisdom teeth before they start to affect your health. Without treatment, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to oral infection or a misaligned bite, resulting in severe pain and other complications.
When Are Wisdom Teeth Extractions Necessary?
Dr. Chaudhry may recommend wisdom teeth removal if you experience:
- Severe tooth pain
- Inflamed or bleeding gums
- Pain or swelling around the jaw
- Persistent bad breath
- Cysts in the area
- Sinus problems
- Limited jaw function
Not everyone who has wisdom teeth needs to have them removed. Some patients’ jaws are wide enough to accommodate the extra set of molars. But many people do need wisdom teeth extracted for their health and the appearance of their smiles.
The Wisdom Teeth Removal Process
Dr. Chaudhry can remove your wisdom teeth in just one visit to our Bethlehem or Stroudsburg office. He’ll begin the procedure by administering a local anesthetic to numb the extraction area, ensuring you won’t feel any pain throughout the procedure. At your initial consultation, he’ll discuss your preference for anesthetic or IV sedation.
Once the area has been numbed, Dr. Chaudhry will open the gum tissue covering your wisdom tooth and separate it. This gives him easy access to your tooth, allowing him to remove it quickly and painlessly. After your tooth has been removed, he’ll stitch up your gums to begin the healing process.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
The recovery period for wisdom teeth surgery is only a few days, but there are important tips and instructions that you’ll need to keep in mind to avoid complications. The most important day is the day of your surgery because the surgical area will be the most sensitive.
There are also a few things to avoid during your recovery period, including:
- Strenuous physical activity
- Drinking through a straw
- Rinsing your mouth
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Certain foods
For a more detailed list of instructions, visit our convenient wisdom tooth removal aftercare page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive myself home after a wisdom tooth extraction?
Depending on the type of anesthetic you’re administered, you may be able to drive yourself home. If you’re given general anesthesia or IV sedation, you’ll need to arrange a ride home following your procedure.
If you’re given a local anesthetic, you should be able to drive yourself home without a problem. However, we strongly recommend that you arrange a ride with someone regardless of the type of anesthetic provided.
What happens if I wait too long to get my wisdom teeth removed?
Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infections, tooth decay, and severe misalignment that can affect the appearance and functionality of your smile. The longer you wait to get your wisdom teeth removed, the more oral health issues they can cause.
Dr. Chaudhry recommends getting treatment for your wisdom teeth as soon as possible. If you haven’t had your mouth examined for possible wisdom teeth issues, we recommend scheduling a consultation at our Bethlehem or Stroudsburg office.
How long does a wisdom tooth extraction take?
Dr. Chaudhry can extract your wisdom teeth in just one appointment at our Bethlehem or Stroudsberg office. Typically, each wisdom tooth takes between 30 and 45 minutes to remove. Your treatment time depends on the condition of your wisdom teeth and how many must be removed. Dr. Chaudhry will provide you with an accurate treatment timeline at your initial consultation.
Don’t Wait to Seek Treatment
If you have one or more impacted wisdom teeth, Dr. Chaudhry can remove them safely and comfortably. By having them removed as soon as possible, you can avoid painful complications in the future, saving you time and money in the process.
To schedule a consultation, call our Bethlehem or Stroudsburg office at (484) 821-1357. You can also fill out a contact form to request an appointment online.
Ready to get your widsom teeth removed?