Wisdom Teeth
WHAT ARE WISDOM TEETH
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the four adult teeth – two in the upper jaw (maxilla) and two in the lower jaw (mandible) – that typically develop at the back of the mouth in late adolescence and early adulthood. They are the last teeth to develop and are located directly behind the second molars.
WHY SHOULD WISDOM TEETH BE REMOVED
To avoid the consequences and complications that wisdom teeth can cause, Dr. Gilbert Selkin removes wisdom teeth in teens and adults who don’t have enough room in their mouths. Impacted wisdom teeth, which are teeth that are trapped in the gums or bone, should be removed before their root structure fully develops, which can be as early as 13 years old. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause significant problems. The crowding caused by wisdom teeth can result in tooth decay as food gets trapped, misalignment or bite problems, and pain or swelling. Impacted wisdom teeth can also cause infection and gum disease. A cyst or tumor can form around an impacted tooth, which can lead to more serious problems including damage to the jawbone and damage to neighboring teeth or other surrounding structures. While pain can occur with wisdom teeth emerging in the mouth, wisdom teeth do not have to cause discomfort to cause damage. Damage can occur while people do not experience any symptoms. An exam by Dr. Selkin can determine the timing of wisdom teeth removal. Problems are more likely to occur when wisdom teeth are not removed until later in adulthood.
What is an Impacted tooth
When a tooth does not have sufficient room to erupt it is called impacted. This causes the inability to erupt into the proper position which can effect chewing and cleaning. A tooth can be stuck within soft tissue or partially or completely within bone. A tooth can also be impacted in unusual positions within the jaw.
DOES WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL HURT, AND WHAT ANESTHESIA IS USED
With the use of IV sedation, most patients sleep through the entire procedure without any awareness of the procedure being performed. For patients who are more nervous about the procedure, IV sedation can be chosen to reduce the anxiety. Dr. Selkin’s primary goal is to ensure your safety and comfort. A long acting local anesthetic is placed during the procedure to ensure pain control which lasts many hours after the procedure is completed. Patients will be requested to eat a soft diet and take pain medicine and antibiotics prescribed by Dr. Selkin. Ice applied to the face may be helpful, and using straws and smoking should be avoided to prevent the risk of clots being dislodged from the sucking motion. The full postoperative instructions will be discussed with patients and Dr. Selkin and his staff.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO HAVE WISDOM TEETH REMOVE
The cost of wisdom teeth removed depends on a few factors: The number of wisdom teeth being removed and the position of the tooth (Impacted tooth) which determine the complexity of the procedure are the biggest factors. While most individuals have four wisdom teeth, some patients can have extra wisdom teeth or less than four. If your procedure is more complex, such as when complications have already occurred from impacted wisdom teeth, the cost can be higher. Wisdom teeth are mostly performed under IV sedation in order to maximize your comfort. Finally, your particular insurance plan coverage will affect your cost, as each insurance company has different policies for surgical procedures. Dr. Selkin’s experienced staff will work with you to determine any insurance coverage you may have.
WHY CHOOSE DR. GILBERT SELKIN TO REMOVE YOUR WISDOM TEETH
Experience and compassion. Dr. Gilbert Selkin attended dental and medical school and then completed an Oral and Maxillofacial residency to further his training as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He is a skilled surgeon who has completed successful wisdom teeth removal on patients for the last 15 years in the Plano community. Most importantly, he keeps your safety and comfort as his priority, and Dr. Selkin will walk you through each step of the process in a way to reduce the typical anxiety that comes with any procedure. Dr. Selkin prides himself on practicing with compassion, efficiency, and professionalism, and utilizes the latest techniques, equipment, and procedures, in order to provide the best possible patient care.
WHAT IS DRY SOCKET AND HOW DO I MINIMIZE THE RISK
"Dry socket" (alveolar osteitis) is a painful condition that can occur after having a tooth extracted. It occurs when a blood clot that normally forms is dislogded or otherwise breaks down in the site of a tooth extraction thereby exposing bone and nerves that cause significant pain. This pain typically develops several days after a tooth extraction. Other symptoms include bad breath or a foul smell or taste, and radiating pain to the ear. With advances in technology, the use of Platelet Rich Fibrin, which is performed by Dr. Gilbert Selkin, has the biggest impact on minimizing the development of dry socket. Blood is taken from a patient, similar to having blood drawn for a lab test and spun to separate out the platelets, which have all of the growth factors and healing properties in our bodies. This layer of platelets is placed by Dr. Selkin in to socket where a tooth is extracted, helping to initiate the blood clot formation. Other instructions to minimize dry socket are:
1) Follow all instructions from Dr. Selkin
2) Stop smoking before and after a tooth extraction
3) Avoid vigorous rinsing of the mouth, and avoid brushing around the extraction site for 24 hours
4) Avoid using straws during the first 3 days after a tooth extraction, as the sucking action can dislodge a blood clot. The following can be placed somewhere else on the website:
Why do I need an Oral Surgeon to Remove a tooth While simple tooth extractions can be performed by a general dentist, patients with impacted teeth or severely damaged or decaying teeth may require surgical tooth removal performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Additionally,patients with certain complex medical conditions or taking certain medications may necessitate management by a specialist. Dr. Gilbert Selkin is not only a board certified Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon, he is also a medical doctor that is trained with management of complex health conditions. Dr. Selkin also has extensive training and experience in the administration of IV sedation and anesthesia.