Wisdom teeth are four extra molars in every human’s mouth that can cause significant oral health problems if they are not removed. At Downtown Dental in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Don Mungcal and his team perform routine and emergency wisdom tooth extractions to protect your teeth and gums and save you from complications.
Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are sometimes referred to as third molars. They are additional teeth that our ancestors needed to help them manage their diets, but teeth that we no longer require to manage our modern eating habits. Our mouths have evolved and gotten smaller, but wisdom teeth have stuck around in the upper and lower jaws and they must be dealt with before they cause problems like:
- Severe pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Infection
- Tooth decay
- Damaged teeth
- Crowding
- Misalignment
Most people never see their wisdom teeth because wisdom tooth extraction happens before the teeth erupt. Usually, the teeth are removed after orthodontic treatment is complete, around the late teens or in early adulthood. Some people, though, end up with impacted wisdom teeth that try to erupt but simply don’t have enough room to do so.
When your Los Angeles dentist recommends wisdom tooth extraction, take their advice. Don’t wait for wisdom teeth to cause problems and interfere with your alignment and oral health.
What Is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?
Wisdom teeth develop under the gum line, just like all teeth, but they rarely erupt in their proper vertical position, if they erupt at all. When you hear the term “impacted wisdom tooth,” it can mean one of two things:
- The tooth erupted partially but is caught beneath the gum line or in the jaw.
- The tooth may not have erupted at all, but it developed incorrectly and is positioned horizontally or diagonally under the gums, pushing against the second molar.
No matter what circumstances you find yourself in, pain is a given and oral health problems are inevitable without wisdom tooth extraction.
How Wisdom Tooth Extraction Works
Ideally, wisdom tooth extraction is a scheduled procedure that occurs before the teeth have any opportunity to cause dental problems. Sometimes, though, wisdom teeth erupt faster than your dentist may anticipate, or you neglected to get your teeth extracted when recommended and they have finally become a major issue. Whatever the circumstances, the wisdom tooth extraction is done under anesthesia and carried out the same way whether at your dentist’s office, an outpatient clinic, or the hospital:
- Incision: A cut is made to expose both the tooth and bone.
- Extraction: The wisdom tooth and its roots are extracted piece by piece until fully removed.
- Cleaning: All leftover debris is meticulously cleaned out of the socket.
- Stitching: The area is stitched shut and covered with gauze to stop the bleeding.
You must be escorted home from the extraction procedure and rest for several days, sometimes weeks, as instructed. Careful recovery is important and your dentist will provide you with cleaning instructions, pain management, and eating suggestion to facilitate proper healing.
Cost Factors for Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Because wisdom tooth extraction is a routine procedure, there is a base price for which you can get a quote from your dentist. Other factors though, will affect the final cost of the procedure, including:
- Whether the tooth extraction is emergency or routine
- How complex the case is
- How many teeth are removed
- Type and amount of anesthesia needed
- Restorations needed because of damage from wisdom teeth
Get Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Los Angeles, CA
Downtown Dental is a comprehensive dentistry practice in Los Angeles, CA. We offer routine wisdom tooth extractions to patients and are always available for dental emergencies, including impacted wisdom teeth. If you suspect a problem with your or your child’s wisdom teeth, contact us immediately.
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![Dr. Don Mungcal]()
Dr. Don Mungcal
With over 28 years of experience and service, Dr. Mungcal makes it his responsibility to be the best version of himself by being his patients’ go-to point for any and all dental concerns. In addition to being meticulous in his work ethic, he is also an individual who understands development and change. He updates and informs himself constantly through various continuous educational programs that he undertakes. He also invests in the latest state-of-the-art technology to provide world-class dental services.
Dr. Mungcal graduated from UCLA and the University of the Pacific Dental School and is presently a member of several acclaimed medical associations, including the California Dental Society.
