Have your wisdom teeth been bothering you? If the teeth are painful, infected, impacted, or crowding other teeth, it's time to get in touch with your Wheeling, WV, dentist, and wisdom teeth specialist, Dr. David Mandel.

Removing your wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth are actually your third set of molars. These back teeth helped people chew roots and tree bark when those were the only food options. Over the years, the human jaw gradually became a little smaller. Today, wisdom teeth are often removed because many people just don't have enough room in their mouths for the teeth. Luckily, your chewing and biting ability won't be affected by extracting (removing) your wisdom teeth.

Before the wisdom teeth extraction begins, you'll receive anesthesia to ensure that you don't feel any pain. Your anesthesia choices may include local, sedation, or general anesthesia. A local injection numbs your mouth but doesn't make you feel sleepy. Although you're technically awake if you have sedation anesthesia, you won't remember anything about your extractions. You will be completely asleep in your extractions are performed under general anesthesia. General anesthesia is generally only used for complicated cases or special circumstances.

During the extractions at the Wheeling, WV, dental office, your dentist and wisdom teeth specialist will:

• Uncover Your Wisdom Teeth: Your dentist will make an incision, or cut, in your gum to expose your wisdom teeth if they're fully or partially impacted. Fully impacted teeth are completely blocked by gum tissue and bone. If your teeth are partially impacted, part of the tooth has broken through the gum.
• Remove Your Teeth: Once the teeth are exposed, your dentist can remove them. He may also need to remove bone blocking the teeth or may need to break a tooth into several smaller pieces to remove it.
• Add Stitches: Your dentist will stitch your gums after removing the teeth. You'll return to the dental office in a few days for a follow-up appointment and the removal of stitches if dissolvable stitches weren't used during your procedure.

Although you'll need to eat soft foods for a few days after your wisdom teeth extraction, you can resume your regular diet in just a few days as your incisions begin to heal.

Do you need to visit a wisdom teeth specialist? Call your dentist in Wheeling, WV, Dr. Mandel, at (304) 845-4848 to schedule your appointment.