Wisdom Tooth Decay

As we age, we acquire wisdom, and the same goes for wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth appear between the ages of 17-21 and are known as the third set of molars. When they erupt correctly, healthy wisdom teeth can help you chomp your food a little faster.  However, if they start to cause you pain and discomfort, you may need to schedule a consultation with the Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS to discuss extraction.

If you bite on a piece of food that is too hard or you experience a mouth injury, wisdom teeth may become troublesome. They can also become cracked, broken, and decayed. Decay can form on any tooth surface, but when the decay begins to attack the wisdom teeth, depending on the position of the tooth it becomes difficult to clean. Depending on the individual case, Dr. Haeri may be able to fill the tooth, but even in cases where a filling could be successfully placed, if the wisdom tooth cannot be adequately maintained, recurrent decay can occur. Though many patients tend to procrastinate through the process, extraction is always best to avoid infection.

If your wisdom teeth are still intact and you have questions about removal, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.suzannehaeridds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS herself in our Los Angeles, CA office, call 310-657-2200.

The Extraction Process

Our priority is to save your natural teeth; however, there are some cases where we just can’t. For instance, many times, wisdom teeth need to be extracted. Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS of Los Angeles, CA wants patients to be prepared for extractions to facilitate a smooth and healthy healing process. Keep reading to learn about how an extraction is performed and what to expect afterward.

Depending on the complexity of the extraction, a local anesthetic or a general anesthesia may be used. General anesthesia will help you fall asleep until the procedure is over with. With a local anesthetic, you will be awake for the whole process. If the tooth is impacted, like many wisdom teeth are, we will first need to make incisions in the gum tissue. Bone tissue may also need to be removed to access the tooth. Forceps are used to rock the tooth back and forth until it is loose enough to be removed. Sometimes the tooth will need to be broken up into several pieces before the whole thing is removed. Afterward, the area will be cleaned and stitched up, if stitches are necessary.

A diet of soft foods will be necessary until your mouth heals a bit. You will also need to avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day following the extraction. More information for at-home care is available on our website.

Extractions can be necessary for a healthy mouth. To learn more about Dr. Suzane Haeri, DDS, call our Los Angeles, CA office at (310) 657-2200 or visit our website, www.suzannehaeridds.com.