Living in Abington, PA, gives residents the best of both worlds: a small town vibe that’s perfect for families coupled with close proximity to the major amenities of Philly. But you don’t have to drive that far to get world-class oral surgery care. At Innovative Implant and Oral Surgery, our highly skilled oral and maxillofacial surgeons have been proudly serving residents of Abington and the surrounding areas for more than 40 years. One of the most common procedures our team performs is wisdom teeth removal.
Assessing whether your wisdom teeth require removal
The wisdom teeth are the third molars that erupt all the way in the back of the mouth (two on the bottom arch and two on the top arch). They are the last ones to erupt, typically during a person’s late teens or early 20s. Dentists typically refer their patients to our oral surgery office for a thorough assessment of whether the wisdom teeth require removal.
We recommend removing the wisdom teeth when one of the following situations applies: The wisdom teeth are already impacted and causing problems, or the wisdom teeth have the potential to become impacted. Impaction occurs when the tooth does not have enough space to erupt properly or fully. A wisdom tooth may be partially impacted, which occurs when part of the crown does erupt through the gum line. Or, it may be fully impacted or completely buried beneath the gum line.
An impacted tooth can cause significant oral health problems. It may grow toward the second molar, causing damage or infection. It can cause the development of a cyst, which can damage the teeth, nerves, and jawbone. Impacted wisdom teeth also increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Furthermore, they can be quite painful.
Don’t wait to visit with our oral surgeons; we have an office located in Abington, PA.
Planning your wisdom teeth removal procedure in Abington, PA
Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons conduct a thorough assessment of each patient before planning their treatment. After doing an oral exam and examining your x-rays, your surgeon will determine if all of your wisdom teeth require removal. If so, we may be able to perform all four extractions during the same appointment. Patients often prefer this approach because it offers greater convenience; there is no need for multiple surgical appointments, and patients only have to go through the recovery process once.
Recovering from wisdom teeth removal
Our patients receive detailed pre-operative and post-operative instructions. Please be sure to follow these instructions carefully and call our office if you have any questions preparing for your surgery or recovering from it.
Every patient heals a little differently. However, most patients only need to take three to four days off from school or work. Generally, the younger a patient is when undergoing wisdom tooth extraction, the easier the recovery is. Use these tips to facilitate a healthy recovery:
- Do not use a straw and try to avoid excessive spitting in order to prevent the dislodging of the blood clot at the surgical site.
- Use a cold pack held against the exterior of your jaw to reduce swelling and manage pain.
- Resume light activities the day after your surgery (if you feel up to it), but avoid strenuous activities for about a week.
- Do not smoke or chew tobacco.
- Resume brushing your teeth after 24 hours, but exercise extreme caution around the surgical sites.
- Drink plenty of water and consume soft foods, such as yogurt and applesauce.
Consult our experienced team for wisdom tooth removal in Abington
For decades, the residents of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, PA, and nearby areas have been turning to the experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons at Innovative Implant and Oral Surgery. We’ve developed a sterling reputation for compassionate care, friendly service, and advanced surgical techniques. Our team can handle even the most complex of cases. Schedule an appointment for Abington wisdom teeth removal at our offices today.