A wisdom tooth extraction is usually done because most patients don't have enough room for a wisdom tooth. Humans have four wisdom teeth, one at each of the four ends of the mouth. Of the 32 teeth, it is the last in the tooth eruption sequence to come into the mouth. By the time the tooth comes in most of the room in the mouth is usually taken and the wisdom tooth doesn't fit. This causes a number of wisdom tooth problems.

          Because of the limited space, a wisdom tooth can grow sideways or become trapped under the gums. When it partially erupts into the mouth, it can form a pouch that traps food. The trapped food can cause tooth decay and the second molar in front of the wisdom tooth can also become decayed. If the gums become infected, it can cause wisdom tooth swelling, wisdom tooth pain, wisdom tooth headache and a bad odor. When any wisdom tooth symptom occurs, it is very important to have your wisdom tooth removed. If the infection is left untreated it can continue around the wisdom tooth and cause facial swelling that can prevent the patient's mouth from opening.

          The pressure from a wisdom tooth trying to get into the mouth can cause the rest of the teeth to move out of place. This is why most orthodontic patients have third molar extractions after getting their braces off. Early wisdom tooth surgery may even avoid the need for orthodontic care. When a wisdom tooth is badly trapped inside the jaw bone,a cyst can form around the wisdom tooth. Dental wisdom tooth cysts can grow and push teeth out of their way. In some rare cases, a cyst can form a tumor. This is a good reason for having wisdom tooth removing performed early.

          A wisdom tooth is also called a third molar and a dentist may call a wisdom tooth surgery a third molar surgery. Wisdom tooth problems can develop without any pain, however, most patients seek dental services for wisdom tooth pain relief.

          The Atlanta Dental Group PC provides our patients with most oral surgery services including routine extractions and impacted wisdom tooth removal. An impacted wisdom tooth picture can often help patients understand the need for removal. Most wisdom tooth surgery procedures go very well, take less than an hour and are done in our office to reduce the wisdom tooth extraction cost. Our dentists will see wisdom tooth emergency patients.

          The wisdom tooth extraction procedure is simple. Some patient's having extractions choose to have nitrous oxide ( laughing gas ) to help relax before numbing. The wisdom tooth removal surgery patient is seated and completely numbed. It's important to wait and allow the numbness to sink in fully. The dentist checks the depth of anesthesia by making a small incision around the wisdom tooth. Once it is confirmed that the patient is completely numb, the incision is lengthened and the gum tissue is gently pulled away from the wisdom tooth. If any of the surrounding bone is in the way, it is then removed. If needed, the tooth is then gently sectioned into pieces and the pieces are removed. Finally, sutures ( stitches ) are placed so that the gum tissue lays back into place correctly.

          The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC believe that most oral surgery patients should be placed on antibiotics after surgery. All surgery patients are seen one week after their procedure and no additional fee is charged for this visit.

          Fortunately, most wisdom tooth extractions go well with few wisdom tooth extraction complications. The most common problems are pain and swelling in the area of the impacted wisdom tooth extraction. This can be kept to a minimum by good wisdom tooth removal care and by taking pain medications, applying cold to the surgical area immediately after the wisdom tooth removal and moist heat several hours later. Some patients bleed for up to 24 hours after the oral surgery. However, in healthy patients this is not usually a problem.

          A dry socket can be a complication of third molar extractions. Dentists are not sure why a wisdom tooth dry socket happens but the pain from a dry socket normally begins about three days after the wisdom tooth pulling procedure and lasts about one week. Perhaps the most feared possible complication is temporary or permanent numbness after extraction. The roots of a wisdom tooth can wrap around the nerve that carries feeling to the lip and chin.

          Complications from extractions increase as a patient gets older. The experience of getting a wisdom tooth pulled is easier for young people and this is the best time to remove a wisdom tooth because young patients are healthy and heal quickly. When wisdom tooth extractions are done early it avoids all of the possible future complications.

          A wisdom tooth problem can interfere with your life. Fighter pilots and submariners routinely have all their wisdom teeth removed to avoid any potential problems that may interfere with their duties. If you travel, an infected wisdom tooth can disrupt your trip and avoiding treatment can significantly increase you wisdom tooth cost.

          Even when a wisdom tooth manages to get into the mouth, it is very difficult to get all the way back in the mouth to clean it. This can cause cavities, periodontal disease or a wisdom tooth infection around the third molar and neighboring teeth. A wisdom tooth picture gives an idea of this problem.

          Wisdom tooth extraction is surgery and is commonly covered by most traditional dental insurance carriers at 80%. Some medical insurance policies also cover third molar extractions. If you are concerned about whether your insurance will cover your oral surgery , it is a good idea to visit for a consultation and panorex x-ray. Having the panorex x-ray allows the Atlanta Dental Group PC dentist to create an estimate for your impacted wisdom tooth extraction. This estimate can then be sent to your insurance for a pre-estimate. If you do not have insurance, our Financial Manager can assist you in arranging a dental loan for your cost of wisdom tooth removal. The wisdom tooth removal cost can then be spread out in small payments over a year.

          The Atlanta Dental Group PC provides our patients with most oral surgery services including routine extractions and wisdom tooth removal. Most wisdom teeth procedures go very well, take less than an hour and are done in our office. Our dental practice will see emergency patients having a problem with wisdom tooth pain, determine the cause of jaw pain and usually provide treatment.  If you would like a consultation with Dr Padolsky, call the Atlanta Dental Group PC at  404-874-7428