Wisdom Teeth

Older teenagers and young adults may need their wisdom teeth removed to avoid the pain and other complications these pesky molars can cause. For people in the Vienna and McLean, Virginia, area, the best way to find out if this procedure is necessary is to turn to the professionals at Cai Dentistry. The experienced team of experts can remove wisdom teeth quickly and as painlessly as possible. Call or schedule a consultation online today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last four permanent teeth to appear in your mouth. These teeth can erupt (come to the surface) anywhere between the ages of 17 and 25. While some people’s wisdom teeth can grow in fully and cause no problems, a majority of people do not have enough room in the back of their mouth for their wisdom teeth to erupt, so the teeth become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause severe pain and other complications, and nearly always need to be removed (extracted).

When should wisdom teeth be pulled?

An X-ray after age 16 allows Dr. Cai and his team to see if your wisdom teeth are impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can rotate and grow towards other molars, causing pain and forcing those molars to shift. Sometimes wisdom teeth can only partially come in and cause a bacterial infection.

Many people opt to have their wisdom teeth removed before they start to erupt to avoid unnecessary pain and complications. However, if a patient waits until their wisdom teeth erupt, the following are signs of complications and signal they need to be removed:

Pain in the back of the mouth behind the rear molars (top or bottom)
Infection or gum disease (periodontal disease) in the rear of your mouth
A fluid-filled sac (cyst) in the rear of your mouth

How are wisdom teeth removed?

Wisdom tooth extraction is an oral surgery. During the procedure, Dr. Cai makes a small incision in the gum. He may need to remove some bone that may block access to the tooth. Once he can access the tooth, he removes it. He then cleans the extraction site and stitches it closed. These stitches do not need to be removed.

The experts at Cai Dentistry discuss options for anesthesia. Many patients opt for general anesthesia, but a local anesthetic is also an option. Your dentist discusses your anesthesia options to find the most effective one based on on your individual needs.

Patients may experience some discomfort following wisdom tooth extraction. The Cai Dentistry professionals clearly review all post-surgical pain management and oral care. Patients can resume their normal activities the following day.

The caring, experienced professionals at Cai Dentistry in McLean, Virginia, help their patients make wisdom teeth extraction as fast and painless as possible. Call or schedule an appointment online today for a complete evaluation.