Wisdom Teeth

Do you have a partially erupted tooth (or teeth) at the back of the mouth? Do you feel as if something is pressing on your teeth? These may be signs of problematic wisdom teeth.

Typically, wisdom teeth erupt during the late teens or early adulthood. If you’re lucky, they come in without incident and take up space at the back of the mouth.

Unfortunately, some jaws are not large enough to accommodate these late-to-the-party teeth. They partially erupt or encroach on neighboring teeth, causing pain and leaving you vulnerable to an oral infection.

The good news is that you don’t need wisdom teeth to enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile. They don’t support oral function or do anything to enhance your dental health.

If your wisdom teeth are causing trouble, your Sioux Falls dentist, Dr. Vitaly Perets, will discuss extraction.

Wisdom Teeth: Who Needs Them?

No one needs wisdom teeth.

They serve no purpose, and even if they do erupt without incident, wisdom teeth are difficult to brush and floss efficiently due to their location. They are always at risk for decay and complications.

Located at the back of the mouth, these late-erupting teeth (up to one on each arch) are unnecessary for a healthy and beautiful smile.

Wisdom tooth extractions may be straightforward or surgical, depending on the positioning of the tooth.

• Straightforward Extractions: The extraction is straightforward if the wisdom tooth has erupted and digital imaging shows that it does not encroach on neighboring nerves or tooth roots.
• Surgical Extractions: If the wisdom tooth has only partially erupted and is encroaching on neighboring roots and nerves, we take an image-guided and surgical approach to removal.

We can remove one wisdom tooth or all four, depending on your situation.

In either case, we use powerful local anesthesia to ensure you don’t feel pain. We can also discuss sedation dentistry options if you feel unsure or nervous. The team at Complete Dental Care understands dental phobia and anxiety and always provides gentle and compassionate treatment.

Your dentist provides all aftercare instructions. Typically, these instructions include but are not limited to:

• No sucking: No smoking or drinking through a straw for a day or two
• No spitting: Rinse the mouth but allow the water to drain into the basin
• No complex chewing: Stick to soft foods for a few days, including mashed potatoes and custards.

Contact Your Dentist in Sioux Falls, SD

To learn more about wisdom tooth removal or to book a consultation with the dentist, call our office today at (605) 371-3000.

We accept a variety of insurance plans and CareCredit financing!