A wisdom tooth, when impacted in the gum line or emerges through at the wrong angle, can cause infections, crowding, or other dental problems. Removing the problematic wisdom teeth through a surgical procedure minimizes the oral health risks and relieves pain and discomfort. Wisdom teeth surgery can be more complicated than a standard tooth extraction. At Kids & Adult Dental Care in Indianapolis, we employ modern dental techniques to identify problems and remove impacted wisdom teeth without disturbing your other teeth.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Generally, an adult mouth has up to thirty-two teeth, and four of these are wisdom teeth. They are located at the back of the mouth and are the last teeth to emerge through the gums. Wisdom teeth erupt between seventeen and twenty-five, but they can sometimes develop later.

Not all of us get our wisdom teeth, and not all of them cause problems. If there is sufficient space in your mouth for the tooth to fit and it comes through normally, you may only experience minimal discomfort. However, if these teeth are causing problems, our dentists may recommend wisdom teeth removal as a preventive and corrective measure.

When Do You Need a Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

If there is insufficient space in your mouth, the wisdom tooth may get trapped in the gum line. If not treated, this situation can sometimes lead to an infection or abscess. Additionally if the tooth grows at an incorrect angle, it will put pressure on your neighboring teeth or can even thrust them out of alignment.

Partially Erupted Wisdom Tooth

Wisdom teeth that do not emerge fully from the gums can cause pain and be prone to infections. It may also be challenging to brush and floss the tooth appropriately, increasing the risk of cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. In some cases, if the gum covers the tooth, our dentists may remove this gum tissue rather than extract the tooth.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery

During the wisdom teeth removal surgery, our dental professionals will first administer local anesthesia to numb the affected area and make you comfortable. Then a tiny incision is made in the gum, and the bones covering the tooth will be removed. The impacted wisdom tooth will be broken into multiple smaller pieces to make it easier to remove from the opening. Finally, the area is sealed with stitches to promote faster healing. We will prescribe antibiotics and pain medication to give you relief.

Whether you need to have one or more wisdom teeth extracted, visit our Kids & Adult Dental Care offices in Franklin and Indianapolis. You can also reach us at (317)560-5556 & (317)991-4725.