Wisdom teeth extractions are standard practice, but not everyone has wisdom teeth that cause trouble. At J. Bryson McBratney, D.D.S., the premier dentist office in Anchorage, AK, Dr. McBratney discuss the pros and cons of having wisdom teeth removed before making a recommendation to his patients. In addition to wisdom tooth extraction surgery, Dr. McBratney also offers teeth cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, and teeth whitening.

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually come in between the ages of 16 and 20. Many people have them removed because they don’t come in normally, which can be painful. But sometimes, wisdom teeth come in with normal alignment and can be left alone. According to one study, every year, more than 10 million wisdom teeth are removed, but more than 60% of those removals weren’t necessary.

During a routine teeth cleaning appointment, Dr. McBratney will check the progress of the wisdom teeth. If the jaw isn’t large enough, the teeth won’t be able to fully emerge from the gums, and they will remain trapped beneath the gum and bone, or they will grow in sideways. Retained and impacted wisdom teeth can cause a host of problems, including damage to other teeth, jaw damage, sinus issues, inflamed gums, cavities, and alignment and bite problems.

Even if the wisdom teeth aren’t causing pain yet, the dentist might recommend removing healthy molars as a preventative effort. As patients age, the bones in their mouth get harder, making it more difficult to remove teeth. If a tooth extraction is put off, there could be more complications from surgery, including heavy bleeding and fractured teeth.

During a wisdom tooth extraction, Dr. McBratney numbs the mouth with local anesthesia or IV sedation. The surgery takes about 45 minutes or less. There are some side effects of having wisdom teeth removed, including some pain and swelling, but typically any pain goes away after a few days. Most people use ibuprofen and acetaminophen to help relieve pain after surgery.

It’s important to consider the pros and cons before having wisdom teeth removed. Dr. McBratney handles every tooth extraction on a case-by-case basis. For more information about the services offered at J. Bryson McBratney, D.D.S., visit the website or call the Anchorage dental office at (907) 562-3323.