Central Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Matawan NJ, Ocean NJ, Freehold NJ, Old Bridge NJ

If you’re a teenager, you’ve probably heard that lots of your friends are having their wisdom teeth removed. And maybe you’re wondering if you should too. What’s the big deal? Is this a rite of passage? Does everyone need to?

You may hate surgeries or be too busy to add one more thing to your busy schedule. But the truth is, having your wisdom teeth removed now while you’re still young is something you should seriously consider. The prime time to have the extraction is in your teens or early twenties.

Read on to find out why waiting could lead to problems down the road.

Wisdom Teeth and Pain

Your wisdom teeth may not be bothering you now, but it’s always wise to take preventative action before there’s a problem. And before the problem causes pain.

Wisdom teeth join an already full mouth of teeth, so possible painful complications can range from decay and infections to abscesses and misalignment. Since your mouth already has 28 teeth before the four new third molars try to push their way in, things are crowded as it is. Four more just adds to the potential for dental issues like jaw nerve pain and swelling down the road.

More Difficult Extraction Later in Life

As your teeth come in, the roots become established. In other words, the longer you have a tooth, the more intertwined its roots become in the bone socket.

So, it’s not rocket science that the longer you wait, the more difficult a routine extraction becomes. The third molars are easiest to remove between the ages of 16-20, and your recovery will be much smoother as a result of a complication-free extraction.

Gum Disease from Wisdom Teeth Infections

Third molars erupt in the very back of the mouth where it’s most difficult for patients to clean and floss and where bacteria are most likely to crop up. When we are unable to get to food that is stuck in the back of our mouths, bacteria cause tooth decay which can lead to an infection.

When infections lead to gum disease, tooth loss is a common result. Have your wisdom teeth removed to avoid infected gums and missing teeth later in life!

Poor Mouth Function from Impacted Wisdom Teeth

We open and close our mouths every day without giving it much thought. Failure to remove your wisdom teeth before they become impacted can lead to swelling in your jaw. Simple things like eating, biting, and talking are no fun with a swollen jaw.

When Wisdom Teeth Cause Cysts

It’s quite common for wisdom teeth to have trouble fully erupting and pushing through your gums when there’s a shortage of space in your mouth.

And impacted teeth have the potential to develop cysts which destroy bone and teeth. Don’t wait until this happens to have your wisdom teeth removed!

Wisdom Teeth & Serious Health Concerns

Our mouths are like portals to the rest of our body, and when an infection occurs in our gums, the toxins can enter the blood stream and affect blood vessels and even blood pressure. If wisdom teeth are left alone and cause an infection, high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks can result.

Remove your wisdom teeth while you are young to avoid all the problems listed above. If you decide to keep them a bit longer, make sure to attend regular cleanings and checkups, so your dentist can observe and monitor any changes. Remember that wisdom teeth are susceptible to decay and can cause gum disease, so hold tight to your regular brushing and flossing routine to maintain optimal oral health.

Ready to schedule a consultation with us?

Bone Grafting After Tooth Extractions in Matawan, Ocean Township, Freehold, & Old Bridge

Are you having a tooth extracted or preparing to have a dental implant placed?

If your dentist has referred you to an oral surgeon and recommended socket preservation, you’re in the right place: our board-certified oral surgeons are the best in the state!

What is socket preservation?

Socket preservation is a small bone graft that we place in your socket after we’ve extracted a tooth.

The bone graft takes the place of the tooth root, and we secure a collagen membrane on to of the graft to enhance bone growth.

When is socket preservation needed?

Leaving a socket to heal on its own after a tooth extraction is one option, and as top oral surgeons, we often seek to preserve the socket with a bone graft to prepare the area for dental implant placement.

The socket bone graft fills the small hole in your gums that is left once the tooth’s roots have been removed.

The Importance of Socket Preservation

The risk of letting your socket heal on its own rather than undergoing socket preservation is the chance that the naturally forming blood clot in the socket protecting the area is knocked loose.

When this happens, patients usually experience dry socket, a very painful condition.

Another potential problem that can arise when a socket is left to heal naturally is that the socket heals incorrectly, causing deformities in the alveolar ridge. Implant placement is much more complicated when there are bone deformities present.

What’s the purpose of socket preservation?

What most people don’t realize is that our teeth provide stimulation to the jawbone through chewing.

Biting pressure encourages the growth of new bone tissue, bulking up the jawbone and keeping it healthy. When we extract a tooth, deterioration of the bone sets in right away because the tooth is no longer there to provide stimulation.

We use socket preservation to prevent bone loss and build up the ridge which helps maintain the natural shape of the jaw.

Socket preservation prevents bone loss and the following dental benefits.

• A healthy jawbone preserves the contours of your face, preventing a caved in smile due to tooth loss.
• Teeth alignment is maintained because shifting doesn’t when there’s no space/gaps between teeth.
• A complication-free implant process requires sufficient bone mass.

Socket Preservation Process

We typically place a device in your socket once we’ve removed a tooth, filling the small hole that’s left and then covering it with a collagen film. We use sutures to close and protect the wound.

How do I care for my socket?

As the site heals and you wait for your implant placement, be gentle when you brush and even refrain from brushing the first couple days.

Do not smoke or use a straw because these activities can disrupt the healing process and even lead to complications.

Dental Implants After Socket Preservation

Socket preservation is just one step in the process.

Next stop?

Dental implant placement! Call us today if you’re ready to get started!

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