The Process of a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom teeth can be the sources of great pain and great pleasure. Pain, because when they are impacted, they hurt. Pleasure, because there are many funny YouTube videos of still-sedated patients after their wisdom teeth have been taken out. Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, we want our patients to understand the process of a wisdom tooth extraction to prepare ahead of time.

To extract the wisdom teeth, your dentist will make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone. Any jawbone that needs to be removed to access the tooth will then be removed. The tooth is rocked back and forth until it is loose enough to be pulled out. Occasionally, a wisdom tooth will need to be broken into several pieces before being removed. Afterward, the area is stitched together and gauze is placed over the site to control bleeding.

It is recommended that you relax for the rest of the day and avoid any strenuous activity until the wound is healed. Soft foods should be eaten for the first twenty-four hours, adding in harder ones as the healing progresses. Drink plenty of water, but do not drink through a straw as this can cause more bleeding. For more information about care after an extraction, please visit our website.

If you believe your wisdom teeth are growing in, schedule an appointment with us for an examination. To schedule in our Philadelphia, PA office, call us at (215) 463-4141 or visit the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Why is a Sinus Lift Needed?

Because dental implants are the best tooth replacement option, many patients desire them. Unfortunately, not everyone has the best jaw conditions to house implants. In some cases, the sinus cavities are too low so an implant cannot be placed in the jawbone beneath it. Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, we are able to perform a sinus lift so that implants are an option.

Sometimes the jawbone right below the sinus cavity is not big enough to allow a dental implant to successfully be placed. When a tooth is missing for a while, the bone in the area where the tooth used to be can begin to deteriorate. In other cases, a patient may just be born with a smaller jawbone. Other times, the sinus cavity is too low. A sinus lift adds bone to the area between the upper jaw and the sinuses. This creates a jawbone big and strong enough to hold a dental implant.

The added bone not only functions as replacement bone, but it will also promote growth of the jawbone already in place. This aids the strength and size of the newly constructed jawbone. The grafting process begins with cutting the tissue where the implant will be. The bone is exposed and a small opening is created. The membrane separating the sinus cavity from the jaw is pushed up and away. The bone graft material is then packed into the space. Afterward, the area is stitched closed. The area will need several months to heal, and then dental implants are able to be placed.

To learn more about dental implants and sinus lifts, be sure to contact us. To schedule in our Philadelphia, PA office, call (215) 463-4141 or visit the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania website, www.oralsurgerypa.com.