Covington Hammond 
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth removal is a routine procedure that prevents pain, overcrowding, and potential oral health issues caused by impacted or misaligned teeth. By addressing these problems early, you can protect your smile, avoid complications, and enjoy a smoother recovery.
At The OMS Center of South Louisiana, we are committed to providing safe, effective, and comfortable wisdom teeth removal. Trusted oral surgeon Dr. Joshua Brandner, DDS, MD, utilizes advanced techniques to minimize discomfort and accelerate healing. With a focus on patient care, personalized attention, and excellent clinical outcomes, we strive to make your wisdom teeth removal experience as smooth as possible.
Typically, people develop 32 permanent teeth over the course of their life. The last four teeth to develop are known as the wisdom teeth, or the third molars. Most of the time, the wisdom teeth emerge when you are somewhere between 17 and 21, although they can also erupt as early as age 11.
Why get your wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth are thought to be a vestigial holdover from our ancestors, who needed these extra teeth to grind the tough, uncooked foods that made up their diet. Today, the need for wisdom tooth extraction is extremely common. For most people, the jaw simply is not large enough to accommodate this extra set of teeth. As such, the wisdom teeth often become impacted, which means they are trapped below the gum tissue. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, infection, and other dental problems, especially later in life. Wisdom teeth removal is a surgical procedure to extract these teeth.
Ultimately, having the wisdom teeth extracted helps preserve the integrity of your smile and keeps you safe from symptoms such as crowding, damage to adjacent teeth, or wisdom teeth that emerge at an odd angle through the gums.
The first step in the wisdom teeth removal process is joining your oral surgeon for a relaxed and friendly consultation. Dr. Joshua S. Brandner will look at your teeth, walk you through the treatment options, and answer any questions that you have. Additionally, you can anticipate that he will discuss all the sedation and anesthesia options available for ensuring your comfort and safety.
Dr. Brandner will do the following:
At The OMS Center of South Louisiana, we prioritize patient safety and wellbeing, which means performing all procedures in state-of-the-art facilities and providing a full range of sedation options. The specifics of the surgery can vary from patient to patient, depending on factors such as the positioning of the wisdom teeth within the mouth.
Wisdom teeth removal is typically recommended to address the following conditions:
By removing impacted wisdom teeth, you can prevent these problems and maintain optimal oral health.
There are many reasons why the wisdom teeth typically require extraction:
For teenagers or young adults who still have their wisdom teeth, it is typically best to seek a full dental evaluation before those wisdom teeth result in pain or other complications. If you are already experiencing these symptoms, that means it is time to consult with an experienced oral surgeon about having a wisdom tooth extraction.
After the procedure, you will be sent home with detailed guidelines about aftercare and infection prevention. Patients will also be provided with prescription pain medications, though for many patients, it is sufficient to simply use ibuprofen. You can also anticipate a little bit of swelling, though it should begin to dissipate within 48 hours. By that point, you will begin quickly progressing through your recovery.
It's important to follow Dr. Brandner’s post-operative instructions carefully to ensure a smooth recovery. Here are some general tips for a successful recovery:
Once your wisdom teeth are removed, you'll experience immediate relief from pain and discomfort caused by impacted teeth. Additionally, you'll reduce the risk of infection and improve your overall oral health by preventing future dental issues like tooth decay and gum disease. By removing impacted wisdom teeth, you'll also enhance your chewing and biting function, leading to better oral health and overall well-being. The benefits of wisdom teeth removal are long-lasting, ensuring a healthier and more comfortable smile for years to come.
We often urge patients to have their wisdom teeth removed as early as possible. There are several reasons for this:
While the procedure itself is performed under anesthesia, you may experience some discomfort afterward. However, over-the-counter pain medication or prescribed medication can effectively manage this pain.
Most people recover from wisdom teeth removal within a week or two. However, full healing may take several months. During this time, it's important to follow Dr. Brandner’s instructions and contact us any time you have questions or concerns.
After surgery, it's best to stick to a soft food diet for a few days. As your mouth heals, you can gradually introduce solid foods. Avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods that could irritate the surgical site.
While wisdom teeth removal is generally safe, there are potential risks, such as infection, bleeding, and nerve damage. However, these risks are minimized by working with an experienced surgeon and performing proper post-operative care.
