Wisdom Tooth Extractions—Glenpool, OK

Maintaining a Healthy, Uncrowded Smile

Dentist providing wisdom tooth extraction

For many people, having their wisdom teeth removed is a rite of passage. Of course, any procedure that involves taking out teeth can become a source of anxiety, no matter how common it is! Thankfully, our team at 918 Dentist can help you or your teen get rid of these problem teeth as quickly and comfortably as possible. Contact us today if you think that you or your loved one might need a wisdom tooth extraction in Glenpool, OK.

Why Choose 918 Dentist of Glenpool for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?

  • PREVENT ORAL HEALTH ISSUES BEFORE THEY OCCUR
  • AFFORDABLE, HIGH-QUALITY ORAL SURGERY
  • SEDATION AVAILABLE TO REDUCE ANXIETY

What Are the Wisdom Teeth?

X-ray with the wisdom teeth highlighted

The wisdom teeth are also known as the third molars, and they usually erupt between the ages of 17-22. The reason for their name is that the person should be “wiser” at this point in their life compared to when their other teeth came in.

For our ancient ancestors, whose diet mostly consisted of very tough and uncooked foods, an extra set of molars was vital. This was because the others would often become worn down or broken by the late teens or early twenties. But, thanks to advancements in both dental care and cooking, these teeth are largely unnecessary, which is why they tend to cause nothing but problems when they come in.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

Dentist and patient looking at x-rays of smile before wisdom tooth extraction

By the time your wisdom teeth are ready to emerge from your gums, there often isn’t enough space left in your mouth for them to erupt properly. As a result, you could suffer from a painful impaction (where the teeth are stuck), or your other teeth could become overcrowded or infected. For this reason, our dentists will often recommend having wisdom teeth removed as early as possible, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure the procedure is painless and stress-free.

What to Expect from a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Dental Equiptment holding tooth

A wisdom tooth extraction is a minor surgical procedure, so a patient will receive plenty of local anesthetic to ensure they remain comfortable in the chair. We also have sedation options available for particularly nervous patients!

Typically, a small incision will be made in the gum tissue near the wisdom teeth, and this will allow the dentist to access them. Some bone tissue might have to be removed as well, and the teeth may be broken up into smaller pieces to make the extraction easier and less invasive.

Recovering from a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

young man eating soup

Following a wisdom tooth extraction, a little soreness and swelling around the treatment site(s) are common, as is some bleeding. Make sure to change out your dressings every few hours and take any pain medication as recommended by your dentist.

In the first 24 hours after the procedure, a patient should avoid physical activity, spitting, rinsing, smoking, or drinking through a straw, as these can interfere with the formation of a clot over the treatment area(s).

For the first week or so, a patient should stick to a soft food diet consisting of items that don’t require a lot of chewing (soup, pudding, hardboiled eggs, etc.). We recommend stocking up on these foods before your procedure so you don’t have to go to the store afterward!

Wisdom Tooth Extraction FAQs

dentist discussing wisdom tooth extraction with patient

While the page above has a lot of great information about wisdom teeth extractions, it’s reasonable to think that you still might have questions. We’ve responded to some of the most popular ones we receive about the procedure below. Want to know more about something we haven’t covered here? If so, just give us a call, and we’ll provide all the information you need!

Do my wisdom teeth have to be extracted no matter what?

It is a myth that wisdom teeth have to be extracted for every single person. Sometimes, they come in and don’t cause any problems at all. It is relatively rare, but if we see that your wisdom teeth aren’t creating any issues and likely won’t in the future, we’ll just leave them alone!

Will I be awake throughout my wisdom tooth extraction?

Yes, as we don’t give a patient general anesthesia for a wisdom tooth extraction. In addition to thoroughly numbing the patient, we also offer multiple sedation options to ensure they remain fully relaxed throughout the entire process. With oral conscious sedation and IV sedation, the patient may feel calm enough that they actually doze off, but they can usually be easily awakened in this scenario. 

When should someone get their wisdom teeth removed?

In most cases, the sooner the better. The best approach is for a patient to regularly attend checkups with us, during which we’ll keep an eye on their wisdom teeth and take X-rays. This way, as soon as an issue pops up, or if it looks like the teeth will start causing problems soon, we can remove them before they lead to damage or pain. Delaying a wisdom tooth extraction typically only makes things more complicated and uncomfortable!

Are wisdom tooth extractions covered by dental insurance?

Most dental insurance plans will cover at least part of the cost of a wisdom tooth extraction if it is medically necessary (which it almost always is). The exact percentage can vary from plan to plan, but we can discuss these details with a patient ahead of their procedure. If they don’t have insurance, we can help them save if they sign up for our 918 Dentist Loyalty Plan, which you can learn more about here.