Wisdom Teeth Evaluations: What to Expect & Why Early Action Matters
Is it time to check those wisdom teeth? Learn why mid-teenage evaluations are crucial, what happens during the exam, and how we ensure a comfortable experience from start to finish.
Introduction Your oral health journey often reaches a pivotal moment in your mid-teenage years: the wisdom teeth evaluation. At Abilene Surgical Associates, this isn't just a routine check-up; it is a proactive step to protect your long-term dental health. By combining a thorough oral examination with advanced X-ray imaging, our doctors can assess the positioning of your wisdom teeth and anticipate potential problems before they become painful emergencies.
Why Choose Early Removal? Many patients ask, "If they aren't hurting, why remove them?" The answer lies in prevention. Treating wisdom teeth early—often before the roots fully develop—leads to significantly faster healing and superior outcomes. Here is why we often recommend removal:
- Preventing Infection: Impacted teeth can cause pericoronitis, a localized gum infection that leads to severe pain and swelling.
- Avoiding Crowding: As wisdom teeth push through, they can crowd or damage adjacent healthy teeth.
- Stopping Cyst Formation: Early extraction safeguards against cysts that can form around impacted teeth, which may damage the jawbone.
When should I schedule an exam? We recommend a consultation in the mid-teenage years. However, it is never too late to get evaluated. Consulting with our doctors now allows us to determine the optimal timeline for your specific situation.
The Day of Your Procedure: What to Expect We understand that surgery can be nerve-wracking, which is why we prioritize your comfort above all else.
- Anesthesia Options: Whether you prefer IV Sedation or other comfort measures, we will have a plan in place before you arrive.
- Duration: The procedure typically takes just 30 to 60 minutes.
- Support: Because of the anesthesia, you must have an adult companion present to drive you home and help you get settled.
Guidelines for a Smooth Surgery Day To ensure your safety during anesthesia, please follow these guidelines strictly:
Fasting: Do not eat or drink anything (including water) for 6 hours prior to your surgery. Exception: You may take necessary prescription medications with a small sip of water.
Clothing: Wear loose, comfortable clothing with sleeves that can be easily rolled up for monitoring equipment.
Recovery and Healing After the procedure, our team will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions, but here is a general overview of the recovery phase:
- Diet: Start with clear liquids (like apple juice or broth) and gradually progress to soft foods (like yogurt or mashed potatoes) as your body permits.
- Medication: We provide prescriptions to manage discomfort. We often advise patients to try non-narcotic options (like Ibuprofen) first, using stronger medication only if needed.
- Stitches: If stitches are required, they are typically dissolvable and will disappear on their own within a few days.
Cost and Insurance Coverage We believe financial uncertainty shouldn't stand in the way of your health. The cost of wisdom teeth removal varies based on the difficulty of the extraction and the type of anesthesia used.
- Our staff is well-versed in insurance policies and will work hard to help you maximize your coverage.
- We encourage you to bring your insurance information to your consultation so we can provide the most accurate estimate possible.
Have Questions? No question is too small when it comes to your surgery. We encourage you to discuss your specific situation in detail during your consultation. If more questions arise later, our team is just a phone call away.