Wisdom Teeth Removal in Colleyville TX

Wisdom teeth removal is a common oral surgery procedure that helps prevent pain, infection, and alignment issues when the third molars try to emerge. At Texas Oral Surgery Specialists, we provide expert care to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for our patients.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to develop, usually emerging between the ages of 17 and 25. While some people have enough space for their wisdom teeth to grow in properly, many experience problems such as impaction, crowding, or infection. In these cases, extraction is often the best way to protect oral health.

When Should You Remove Your Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth should be removed if they are causing pain, infection, damage to nearby teeth, or other complications. Some signs that you may need extraction include:

• Persistent pain or discomfort in the back of your mouth
• Swelling or redness around the gums
• Difficulty opening your mouth fully
• Frequent infections or cysts around the wisdom teeth
• Shifting or crowding of other teeth
• Pain when chewing or eating

We recommend removal in the late teens or early twenties when the roots of the wisdom teeth have not grown so long that they impinge on nerves in the jawbone. Wisdom tooth surgery in the teens or twenties has fewer complications and a quicker recovery timeline. As you age, the roots of wisdom teeth may damage or become entangled in nerves and blood vessels in the base of the jaw. Early removal eliminates these complications.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Wisdom tooth extraction is an outpatient surgery. When planning your treatment, Dr. Tye will consider both pain management and the management of dental anxiety. Typically, we will perform the procedure under fast-acting IV Anesthesia to increase your comfort.  You will feel deeply relaxed and will mostly be unaware of what is going on around you as you go to sleep for your wisdom teeth removal. At TXOSS, we  have the training, compassion, and expertise to provide you with the safest and most effective form of anesthesia for you.

The extraction itself will vary based on your needs and the positions of your molars. If you are struggling with one or more impacted teeth, Dr. Tye will likely need to remove some of the bone or gum tissue that is covering the molar. Fortunately, his skill and the anesthesia will result in very little discomfort.  A long acting numbing medication called Exparel® is often given for discomfort and pain, often treating the pain for several days with no need for narcotic pain pills. Afterward, you must modify your diet for a few days to rest your jaws and avoid inflaming your gums. Dr. Tye can also prescribe medications and provide additional care as required. Though you will need to rest for a day or two, many patients report that their wisdom tooth extractions were surprisingly easy and their recoveries much quicker than they expected.

Recovery & Aftercare

Proper aftercare is crucial for a smooth recovery. We provide detailed post-op instructions for you to take home, but these are the general steps you can expect:

• First 24 Hours: Rest and keep your head elevated. Bite down on gauze for a few hours to control bleeding and apply ice packs during your first few days to reduce swelling. Avoid drinking through a straw or smoking, as these can delay healing and dislodge the healing clot.
• Days 2-3: Swelling and discomfort may peak but will gradually subside. Stick to soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, hummus, pudding, and smoothies.
• One Week Later: Most swelling and soreness should be gone. You can resume normal activities and add firmer foods to your diet as tolerated, but you should still avoid hard or crunchy foods.
• Two Weeks Later: Complete healing may take a couple of weeks, but you should be back to normal with no discomfort.
• Numbness: Any numbness of the lip, chin or tongue lasting more than one week should be reported to the doctor.

Wisdom Tooth FAQs

How long does wisdom teeth surgery take?

The procedure typically takes about a half hour, the time depends on the number of teeth being removed, their location, and the complexity of the process.

How painful is wisdom tooth extraction?

The procedure itself is painless due to anesthesia. Most patients experience minor discomfort but no severe pain after the administration of Exparel®. After surgery, you may experience mild to moderate discomfort. You can manage this with prescribed, non-narcotic, or over-the-counter pain medication. Swelling and soreness typically last a few days. Ice packs are also helpful to reduce swelling in the first 2-3 days following surgery.

How soon can I eat after wisdom teeth removal?

You can start with soft foods a few hours after surgery. Initially, avoid hot foods and drinks, and gradually introduce solid foods as tolerated and as healing progresses.

Texas Oral Surgery Specialists is committed to providing expert wisdom teeth removal with a focus on patient comfort and safety. If you’re experiencing symptoms or have been advised to remove your wisdom teeth, contact us today at Texas Oral Surgery Specialists Phone Number (817) 552-3223 to schedule a consultation.

For additional procedure information check out the TXOSS Blog: Wisdom Teeth