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Who needs a wisdom tooth removal?

Wisdom teeth usually need to be removed if there is not enough room on the jaw for them to grow in properly or if they are impacted, which means they can’t erupt from the gums. Wisdom teeth can cause crowding, misalignment, and disrupt orthodontic work. Impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to infections or cysts. Some patients are lucky enough to not need their wisdom teeth removed. The only way to know for sure if you need one or more wisdom teeth removed is by visiting an experienced dentist so they can personally assess your wisdom teeth.

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What kind of dental sedation can I utilize?

North Richland Hills Dentistry offers four excellent choices for dental sedation: nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. The sedation that you ultimately decide to go with will depend on your preferences, current health, medical history, and how many wisdom teeth need to be removed. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, or you’re getting several taken out at once, we may recommend a stronger sedative. If it’s a shorter or simpler procedure, you may only need a local anesthetic and laughing gas to feel calm and relaxed.

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What is the aftercare process like for wisdom teeth removal?

After your appointment, you will want to go straight home and rest for the remainder of the day. You should avoid doing anything too strenuous for the next several days, and you will want to make sure that you have plenty of soft foods that you can eat as well. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids, but not through a straw, as the suction created in the mouth can cause a painful complication called a dry socket. Over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen can help with the pain and swelling, and our office can prescribe medication for you if necessary.

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