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Oral Examination
With an oral examination and panoramic x-rays of the mouth our doctors will evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there may be present or future problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid- teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
All outpatient surgery is performed using appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Our doctors have the training, license and experience to provide the patient the choice of the best anesthesia.
Wisdom Teeth
By the age of eighteen (18), the average adult has thirty-two (32) teeth; sixteen (16) teeth on the top and sixteen (16) teeth on the bottom. The average mouth is made to hold only twenty-eight (28) teeth. It can be painful when thirty-two(32) teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only twenty-eight (28) teeth. These four (4) other teeth are your third molars, also known as "wisdom teeth."
Why Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and the surrounding gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. When wisdom teeth are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth, their extraction maybe necessary. They may grow sideways or partially emerge from the gum or even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.
Poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth provides an area which allows bacteria to grow and eventually cause an infection. The result swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth.
Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended in order to avoid such problems and to decrease the surgical risks involved with the procedure.
Removal
The removal of wisdom teeth is done using one of several anesthesia alternatives (general anesthesia, sedation or local anesthesia). Each of these options, as well as the surgical risks, will be discussed with you before the procedure is performed.
Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety that utilizes modern monitoring equipment and doctors who are certified and liscensed in anesthesia techniques.
After the surgery, you will rest under our supervision in the office until you are ready to be taken home. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 1.516.822.7880 (Plainview) or 1.516.798.4143 (Massapequa).
Upon discharge, you will receive postoperative instructions and prescription as needed.