Most of the time, there just isn’t enough room in the mouth by the time wisdom teeth emerge. If a mouth is too small and the wisdom teeth are allowed to grow in, they tend to come in at an angle, crowd or shift the surrounding teeth, or fail to erupt fully from the gums. All of these can compromise your oral health. At Northlake Oral & Facial Surgery, we provide wisdom teeth removal in Mandeville, LA, and the surrounding areas. Wisdom teeth tend to grow in between the ages of 17 and 25, but many dental professionals recommend removal while they are still developing. An underdeveloped wisdom tooth is easier to remove because it is smaller and has a shorter root. Early removal of wisdom teeth also prevents the oral health complications that they are likely to cause. Wisdom teeth are often removed in the mid-teen years. Regular checkups with your dentist will help you determine the best time for wisdom teeth removal. An oral surgeon undergoes extensive education and training to become highly qualified in the removal of wisdom teeth.
When you visit our office in Mandeville, LA, for your consultation, you will meet Dr. Brown, who will develop a personalized treatment plan from a thorough examination of your condition and review of X-rays or 3D scans. The position of your wisdom teeth, their size, and other factors will determine the recommended course of treatment.
At Northlake Oral & Facial Surgery, we want our patients to feel at ease during their procedure. We offer several anesthesia options and will discuss them during your consultation appointment. Oral surgeons receive specialized training to administer anesthesia properly and will choose the best method for you after listening to your preferences and understanding your condition.
Our options for anesthesia include
- IV Sedation. Intravenous (IV) sedation allows the patient to sleep during the procedure without any recollection of the treatment. It is the most popular anesthesia for wisdom teeth removal.
- Local Anesthesia. Typically used in simple dental procedures, local anesthesia blocks the sensation of pain or discomfort at the surgical site. Local anesthesia does not affect consciousness, so the patient is awake during the procedure.
- Nitrous Oxide. Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide helps the patient feel relaxed. It can be used with IV anesthesia or local anesthesia.
We encourage you to review our Anesthesia Options page for more information. Your procedure for wisdom teeth removal will largely depend on whether the teeth have fully erupted through the gums. If they are completely developed and have grown into the mouth, the process is just like any other tooth extraction. Removing a tooth that is still below the gums, however, requires a more invasive procedure. Your oral surgeon will make an incision through the gums to access and remove the tooth. Any bone that may be blocking the wisdom tooth will be removed.
We encourage you to call Northlake Oral & Facial Surgery for a consultation to discuss your wisdom teeth removal treatment. We are located in Mandeville, LA, and serve the surrounding communities. Contact our office to schedule an appointment at our practice. We look forward to caring for you and your family.