Wisdom Teeth Removal in Minnetonka, MN

Extracting Third Molars

Located at the back of the mouth, third molars, or wisdom teeth, are the last set of teeth to emerge, typically between the ages of 17 and 21. While it’s normal for wisdom teeth to erupt, their presence can often cause various oral complications. If there is not enough room for wisdom teeth to emerge, it’s best to remove them when the roots are short—either halfway or three-quarters of the way to being fully developed—to make surgery easier and lead to a faster recovery with less potential for complications.

Dr. Johnson is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in wisdom teeth removal in Minnetonka, MN. His mission in establishing Wise Decision was to build a practice that specializes in wisdom teeth extractions to ensure these services are performed are of the highest caliber. To schedule a consultation, please contact our office.

Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Though they’re referred to as wisdom teeth, keeping them in the mouth can be the opposite of a wise decision. Often, wisdom teeth trigger oral health issues like crowding, swelling or infection in the jaw or neck, inflamed gums, damage to adjacent teeth, or a pathology like a cyst. Wisdom teeth are susceptible to impaction, meaning they cannot properly erupt. By extracting them, many problems can be sidestepped to preserve optimal oral health. This is similar to the purpose of a vaccine in that it helps avoid larger, long-term problems.

Your dentist may recommend that you have wisdom teeth removed based on their size and location. It’s generally recommended that wisdom teeth are extracted during a patient’s mid-teens to early 20s, before the wisdom teeth erupt and the roots are less developed. Younger patients typically recover faster with fewer complications. However, wisdom teeth removal is a viable option for patients of all ages.

Sign & Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth

• Red and swollen gums: When the gums around wisdom teeth are tender, swollen, or red, this typically indicates inflammation which could develop into an infection in the jaw or neck. 
• Pain in the back of the mouth: The eruption of wisdom teeth often trigger pain and discomfort toward the rear of the mouth, creating a dull ache or a sharp, intense pain.
• Jaw stiffness and mobility issues: If impacted wisdom teeth are growing at an improper angle, it can place pressure on surrounding teeth and the jaw, leading to stiffness or reduced mobility in the jaw, making it more difficult to fully open your mouth. However, any jaw issues may be caused by other issues, like consistent jaw clenching. During a consultation, we will evaluate what the true cause of any stiffness is.
• Tooth shifting or crowding: When wisdom teeth try to erupt, they push against surrounding teeth, triggering a tooth shift and crowding other teeth, affecting your bite and the aesthetics of your smile.
• Sinus pain and pressure: As upper wisdom teeth attempt to emerge, they can sometimes cause sinus pain or pressure, particularly if they are infected.
• Unpleasant tastes or persistent bad breath: If wisdom teeth are trapped under the gums or erupt partially, they create pockets where food particles and bacteria are easily trapped, creating a consistent foul taste or persistent bad breath, sometimes called halitosis.

If you notice any of these signs that may indicate the need for wisdom teeth extraction, it’s important to schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon for further analysis. Contact Wise Decision to set up an appointment with Dr. Johnson, who will assess your needs and, should it be necessary, discuss surgical options to treat any issues related to your wisdom teeth.

Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery

Before determining whether a wisdom tooth removal procedure is right for you, you’ll have a consultation with Dr. Johnson. During this appointment, he will take in-office 3D scans to determine the size and location of your wisdom teeth and what the best method of approach is to extract your teeth. He will discuss your treatment options and answer whatever questions you may have.

During the wisdom teeth extraction procedure, you will be under anesthesia to ensure your comfort. The specific type of anesthesia used for your procedure will be determined by you and your doctor during your consultation. You may receive general anesthesia, which will put you to sleep to make the procedure more comfortable. You may be a better candidate for nitrous oxide sedation—also known as laughing gas. The anesthesia used will be based on your unique needs.

A wisdom teeth extraction can progress one of two ways, depending on whether the wisdom teeth have erupted or not. For erupted wisdom teeth, the procedure is fairly straightforward—the doctor will use forceps to extract them. This process does not require any incisions but it is still vital that the procedure is performed by a qualified oral surgeon, like Dr. Johnson, to ensure a successful extraction.

For impacted wisdom teeth, a more involved surgical procedure is necessary. Impacted wisdom teeth are either stuck below the gums or grow in at an improper angle, both of which prevent the teeth from naturally erupting. To access the impacted tooth, your oral surgeon will make a small incision in the gum tissue. Depending on where the tooth is and how visible it is, it may need to be broken up into smaller pieces. After the extraction, sutures are used to close the incision and promote optimal healing.

Once your surgery is done, it’s essential that you follow the post-operative instructions closely to facilitate a smooth recovery. If any questions or concerns arise during recovery, please contact our office promptly.