A Smart Move: Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removal

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2/20/2015

Many people believe that the wisdom teeth are, by nature, problematic. For millions of people, however, the wisdom teeth pose no problems whatsoever . These permanent adult teeth erupt in the back corners of their mouths and cause no pain or oral health issues. In fact, in many cases, people do not even realize that they have wisdom teeth until their dentists tell them that they have erupted.

In other cases, however, impacted wisdom teeth can be the source of serious oral health problems, damaging adjacent teeth, causing bite issues, and resulting in excruciating pain. In such cases, the only permanent solution is to have the impacted wisdom teeth surgically removed. At the dental implant and oral surgery center of Drs. Gerald W. Bird and Jay A. Johnson in Melbourne, impacted wisdom teeth removal of the highest standard is available to patients who are suffering from pain due to the lack of space in their mouths for their wisdom teeth. We may also recommend the removal of wisdom teeth that are not currently causing pain but that are at high risk of creating oral health issues in the future. Our primary treatment goal is to ensure that patients emerge from surgery with optimal oral health that will last for a lifetime.


The Wisdom Tooth Removal Process

Wisdom tooth removal is a safe, but invasive, surgical procedure that is performed on an outpatient basis. Patients must be in sufficient health to be anesthetized in order to undergo wisdom tooth removal. Before wisdom tooth removal is performed, a thorough examination of the mouth must be performed to determine the state not only of the wisdom teeth but also of surrounding teeth. Sometimes wisdom teeth can cause damage to surrounding teeth that goes undetected without the aid of x-rays and other diagnostic tools.

In general, wisdom tooth removal is a fairly complex form of oral surgery, though the degree of complexity depends upon the type of wisdom tooth impaction. A wisdom tooth that has partially erupted will be easier to remove than one that is still fully encapsulated in bone.

In most cases, wisdom teeth must be removed in pieces. After the patient has been anesthetized, an incision is made in the gum around the wisdom tooth. At this point, the tooth is broken into pieces, and the pieces are carefully removed. After it has been confirmed that all of the pieces have been removed, the socket is then cleansed to help ensure that the site does not become infected. If necessary, the incision is then sutured closed, and gauze is placed over the surgical site. The patient is given specific instructions to follow that will help promote quick, comfortable, and proper healing. Most patients find that their swelling and discomfort largely subside within three days of surgery.


Learn More about Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removal

To learn more about impacted wisdom teeth removal, or to schedule your initial consultation with one of our two esteemed oral surgeons, please contact our dental implant and oral surgery center today. 

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Wisdom Tooth Extraction

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Courteous and professional.

G.B. Google

First visit since the last time I had a wisdom tooth pulled in 2009. Dr. Johnson and his staff are very friendly and answered all questions. First visit is a consultation.6-2026 update. Just had to have another wisdom tooth extracted. Again Dr Johnson was great. I was impressed when I arrived 15 minutes early and they immediately went to work without my having to wait.

M.K. Google

My extended tooth was painless. Wonderful staff. Thank you for helping me.

L.O. Google

The team of this office is OUT STANDING!!

C.H. Google

I’m a 71 year-old male retired, aerospace engineer, and have dealt with, and developed an ability to recognize intelligent people in my 40 years of professional experience. In my opinion, Dr. Johnson is one of the most professional and astute maxillofacial oral surgeons you could ever engage with. He has 30+ years of knowledge doing sinus lift / bone graft surgeries in areas where you have lost a tooth or multiple teeth. I broke my number 14 molar on a hard kernel of popcorn. It was split through the floor and could not be repaired. So it had to be extracted. Dr. Johnson did the extraction and at that time also placed bone grafting material into the socket. It took well and after five months of healing a second set of x-rays showed that there was still not enough bone material to accept a titanium implant. So a surgery was scheduled to place a bone graft above that location, which required also lifting my right side sinus. I’m writing this 30 hours after the surgery. Apparently the pain level is supposed to increase with the peak estimated to occur at 48 to 72 hours. So far I have only Very-Low levels of pain. I have no swelling or bruising. I do have some stitch, free ends, sort of dangling, but they cause no irritation or nuisance. I have been able to eat soft foods- eggs, applesauce, yogurt, iced coffee, pudding and homemade ice cream, etc. I’m also drinking plenty of water, diluted Gatorade, diluted pomegranate juice. I feel great. I’m careful to keep my head elevated and not do any bending over to cause blood rush to my head. I’ve had virtually no bleeding. Sleeping on my back with two pillows under my head to keep it elevated. It’s going so well that I’m planning to go for an easy 2 mile walk this evening, just 36 hours after the surgery. I cannot recommend Dr. Johnson and his support staff highly enough. Knowledge matters. Experience matters. He is an expert in the strictest definition of the word. I’m scheduled to-return next Monday for a stitch pulling session. Looking forward to it. In a few months after I’m totally healed, a new crown will be attached to the titanium stud, completing the tooth replacement. If you’ve lost a tooth, I recommend you see Dr. Johnson.

K.F. Google

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