Hassle-Free Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Ever wonder why they call them "wisdom" teeth? It's because they usually show up when you're older and wiser, between the ages of 17 and 25. They're like the late bloomers of the tooth world! Most people get four of them, one in each corner of your mouth, but some people have fewer or even none at all. And while some wisdom teeth come in just fine, others can cause a bit of trouble.

Sometimes, wisdom teeth don't have enough space to grow in properly. They can even get stuck under your gums or come in at an angle. This can lead to quite a few problems like:

• Impacted Tooth: This is when your wisdom tooth is trapped beneath your gums or another tooth.
• Crowded Teeth: Your wisdom teeth can push on your other teeth when they don't have any space to grow, making adjacent teeth crooked.
• Inflammation: With nowhere to go, the area gets agitated and starts to swell, often leading to a lot of pain when you least expect it.
• Infection: If your wisdom tooth area is painful, swollen, or it's hard to open your mouth, you might have an infection. This can also feel like a pain in your jaw, especially when biting down on something.
• Damage to Other Teeth: Impacted wisdom teeth can damage the roots of your nearby teeth or make them more likely to get cavities.

If you're experiencing any of these issues, it's best to schedule your extraction sooner rather than later. This will help avoid any problems down the road and give your smile the time it needs to heal.

We know it's natural to feel a little anxious about having your wisdom teeth removed. At Los Gatos Dental Group, we make the entire experience as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Here's a peek at what you can expect:

• Your Consultation: First, we'll get to know you! We'll talk about your concerns, take a look at your teeth, and take some X-rays to see what's happening beneath the surface. This helps us create the perfect plan for your wisdom teeth removal.
• Relaxing with Sedation: We understand that some patients experience anxiety about dental procedures. To help you feel completely at ease during your wisdom tooth extraction, we offer two types of conscious sedation:
• Oral Sedation: This involves taking a prescribed medication shortly before your appointment to help you feel relaxed. You'll be awake during the procedure, but feel drowsy and comfortable throughout. The effects take a few moments to wear off, and we recommend you take it easy and if you can, bring a friend of family member to drive you home.
• IV Sedation: With IV sedation, medication is administered directly into your bloodstream through an IV line. This allows for a deeper level of relaxation, and many patients don't remember much about the procedure afterward. IV Sedation is much stronger, and you'll definitely need someone to drive you home afterward, followed by plenty of rest to let your body go back to normal.
• The Extraction: The term "pulling teeth" isn't quite accurate! Our experienced dentists will gently loosen and remove your wisdom teeth using special tools and a subtle back-and-forth motion. If a tooth is impacted (hidden under the gums), a small incision might be needed. But don't worry, you won't feel a thing!
• Aftercare: We'll give you detailed instructions on how to care for your mouth after your extraction. We'll cover everything from managing any discomfort to reducing swelling and helping your mouth heal quickly.

We've made it this far and your wisdom teeth troubles are a thing of the past. With only a few extra steps and a word or two of caution, you'll heal up in no time:

• Rest and Relax: Take it easy for the first day or two after your extraction. Catch up on your favorite shows or curl up with a good book.
• Ice Compress: Apply an ice pack or something cold to your face to help reduce swelling and keep any discomfort at bay. Not only will the cold help with numbing the area, but it's great with keeping swelling largely at bay.
• Soft Foods are Your Friend: Stick to soft foods like soup, yogurt, and mashed potatoes for the first two to three days. Comfort foods are key, and go great with ample amounts of rest.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, but skip the straw for now. You want to avoid agitating the area with any pressure, even if its just water.
• Keep it Clean: Gently brush your teeth and rinse with a saltwater solution. This helps keep your mouth clean and healthy and stops harmful bacteria from forming while you heal.
• Medication as Needed: If we prescribe any pain medication or antibiotics, be sure to take them as directed. Wisdom Teeth Extractions are a very common procedure, and with our skilled dentists at the helm, your usual over-the-counter pain medication will do wonders.

When it comes time for a wisdom tooth extraction, you have plenty on your plate. The last thing you want is to have to worry about how you’re going to afford the treatment.

For that reason, we aim to make paying for care as easy as possible. For reasons that’ll soon become clear, it’s not really possible to tell you what your treatment would cost without meeting your first. However, we do have some information for you that could help you budget for the upcoming treatment.