Wisdom Teeth Removal Near Slidell, LA

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.

The OMS Center of South Louisiana is pleased to provide wisdom teeth removal for patients throughout Southern Louisiana, and the surrounding area. Our practice has a reputation for excellent clinical outcomes, a comforting approach to patient care, and placing a high priority on safety.

What are Wisdom Teeth?

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, though they can also erupt as early as age 11.

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.

We often urge patients to have their wisdom teeth removed as early as possible. There are several reasons for this:

• As the teeth develop, the roots lengthen while the jawbone gets denser. This makes wisdom tooth extraction more challenging and complicated for older patients.
• Patients who wait until later in life to have their wisdom teeth removed typically experience more pain and discomfort after the procedure.
• Past age 30, patients become quite a bit more likely to experience pain or other side effects associated with the wisdom teeth.

Why Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

There are many reasons why the wisdom teeth typically require extraction:

• Discomfort and sensitivity around the impacted teeth
• Infection in and around the gums
• Damage to adjacent teeth
• Cysts around the jawbone

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.

How Wisdom Teeth Removal Works

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.

At your consultation, Dr. Brandner will do the following:

• Perform a physical evaluation of your teeth, gums, and jaw.
• Explain what you can expect on the day of your surgery.
• Provide instruction for aftercare and recovery

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. 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.

You are in Good Hands with The OMS Center of South Louisiana

Wisdom teeth removal is a very safe, very common procedure. We are happy to tell you more about what you can expect from wisdom teeth removal. To schedule a consultation, contact our office at any time at (985) 687-1616.