Wisdom Teeth Specialist

Rockwell Dentistry

General Dentistry & Cosmetic Dentistry located in Middletown, NJ & Hamilton Township, NJ

For many people, with age comes wisdom, and between the ages of 17-21, it also comes with wisdom teeth. Unlike your ancestors, wisdom teeth no longer serve as a necessity, so the expert dental team at Rockwell Dentistry in Middletown and Hamilton, New Jersey, extract wisdom teeth to help you avoid dental complications. Wisdom teeth often cause crowding or become painful and impacted. If you experience pain or swelling at the back of your jaw, call or schedule an appointment online today.

Wisdom Teeth Q & A

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the third molars in the back of your mouth, and the last adult teeth to erupt through your gums. Today, you don’t need your wisdom teeth for chewing, and they can potentially cause overcrowding that leads to numerous dental issues, including:

  • Pain
  • Infection
  • Gum disease
  • Tooth decay
  • Cysts and tumors

In most cases, to avoid problems you need to have your wisdom teeth surgically removed (extracted) by the highly qualified dentists at Rockwell Dentistry.

What does it mean if my wisdom teeth are impacted?

When a wisdom tooth gets stuck below the surface of your gums and isn't able to break through (erupt) alongside the other molars, it’s considered to be impacted. Since many people don’t have room in their mouths for an extra set of molars, wisdom teeth often grow at an odd angle. This makes it nearly impossible for the teeth to erupt without causing dental complications and mouth pain.

Common symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth include:

  • Pain and swelling in your gums
  • Bleeding gums
  • Jaw pain and swelling
  • Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth

If left untreated, an impacted wisdom tooth may cause damage to the surrounding teeth. The skilled dentists at Rockwell Dentistry have been performing wisdom teeth extractions for more than 27 years. They take excellent care of you before, during, and after your surgical extraction to ensure your mouth heals properly and you’re as comfortable as possible at all stages of the procedure.

What can I expect during my wisdom teeth extraction surgery?

Wisdom teeth extractions take place in the comfort of the Rockwell Dentistry office. The team knows it can be frightening to have teeth removed, so they explain your procedure and take great care in keeping you comfortable. You may receive a local anesthetic to numb your mouth, or general anesthesia so you’re asleep during the entire process.

To remove each tooth, your dentist makes a small incision in your gums and removes the tooth and root before closing each wound with sutures (stitches). You’ll have gauze or cotton on your mouth after the surgery to protect the empty sockets where the teeth once were. There may be some temporary pain, swelling, or bleeding immediately following surgery, and you’ll receive instructions on how to recover and manage any pain you feel for the first day or so afterward.

Avoiding wisdom teeth extractions can make matters worse in the long run; call Rockwell Dentistry or schedule an appointment online today.