ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL PROCEDURES
For more information about wisdom tooth removal in the Huntersville, North Carolina area, please contact us at the contact information below:
9727 Northcross Center Court
Huntersville, NC 28078
P: 704-987-3132
F: 704-987-3709
info@lakenormanofs.com
Wisdom Teeth
By the age of eighteen, the average adult has 32 teeth; 16 teeth on the top and 16 teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth or molar teeth are used to grind food up into a consistency suitable for swallowing. Questions about wisdom teeth in Huntersville, North Carolina? Call our office for a consultation.
The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These four other teeth are your Third Molars, also known as "wisdom teeth."
Wisdom Teeth Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth in Huntersville, North Carolina are discussed.
Having trouble? Please make sure you have version 7 of the Flash browser plugin in order to correctly view this presentation. This software is available as a free download.
Why Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this is extremely rare because there is a lack of sufficient space to fully erupt. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.
These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. This may be a transient and recurring pericornitis, or it may progress to a fascial space infection of the face and neck. This may be life threatening because of airway closure and will require hospitalization and aggressive surgery.
The second molars also may be damaged to the point of requiring extraction. When a malpositioned and impacted third molar does not allow proper hygiene, decay may start on the second molar at the junction of the crown and root.
The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. This is not proven through scientific study, but rather anecdotally from the experience of some orthodontists and patients.
The most serious problem, which is rare, is the occurrence of tumors or cysts from the impacted wisdom tooth dental follicle, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems.
Current research has shown that approximately 80% of wisdom teeth will require removal! Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure. It is recommended to see an oral & maxillofacial surgeon in the early to mid- teenage years for an examination. Most often by this time, the surgeon will be able to tell you if there is sufficient room for the wisdom teeth to ever erupt.
Well intentioned advice to wait for the wisdom teeth to erupt as much as possible may compromise the health of adjacent teeth, and may make the eventual surgical removable more difficult with an increased risk of complications.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Overview
For a brief narrated overview of the wisdom tooth removal process, please click the image on the right. It will launch our flash educational MiniModule in a separate window that may answer some of your questions about wisdom teeth.
Having trouble? Please make sure you have version 7 of the Flash browser plugin in order to correctly view this presentation. This software is available as a free download.
Oral Examination
With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Dr. Haigney can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there may be present or future problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients should generally first be evaluated in the early to mid- teenage years by their oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Dr. Haigney has the training, license and experience to provide various types of anesthesia for patients to select the best alternative. Dr. Haigney is doubly board certified in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology. He always keeps current in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). There is no one more qualified to take care of you and your families oral & maxillofacial surgery needs.
Removal
In most cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is performed under local anesthesia, nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia (laughing gas) or general anesthesia. These options as well as the surgical risks (i.e. sensory nerve damage, sinus complications) will be discussed with you before the procedure is performed. Once the teeth are removed, the gum may be sutured. To help control bleeding, bite down on the gauze placed in your mouth. You will rest under our supervision in the office until you are ready to be taken home. Upon discharge, your post-operative kit will include postoperative instructions, a prescription for pain medication, antibiotics and a follow-up appointment in one week for suture removal. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at (704) 987-3132.
Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety that utilizes modern monitoring equipment and staff that are experienced in anesthesia techniques.