wisdom teeth removal for teens in San Diego
You have probably heard about wisdom teeth removal for teens and have wondered if your teen should have their wisdom teeth extracted.
There is a lot of confusion if a teen should have their wisdom teeth removed especially if there is no pain or other issues. It’s also likely that your teen has also heard a lot of stories about wisdom teeth extraction from their friends and peers. So, it’s important to be prepared and be able to answer any questions they may have in preparation for the surgery.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Most people get their third and final set of molars or wisdom teeth in their late teens or early adulthood. For the most part wisdom teeth are not a problem, but in a lot of cases they can cause issues in the mouth or misalignment with the rest of your teen or young adult’s teeth. They can also become impacted or only grow partially which can then cause infection, which is why removing wisdom teeth is the recommended option.
At what age do Wisdom Teeth come in?
If there is enough room in the mouth most wisdom teeth erupt between the ages of 17 – 25. Although some people do not have to worry about it, as not everyone has these third set of molars.
In order to know if your teen has wisdom teeth, or if they could be impacted. They will need to get a specialized dental x-ray, then the oral surgeon can determine the treatment plan for your teen.
Meet Dr Mac - Oral Surgeon
Frank Mac
Dr. Frank Mac is a board certified Oral Surgeon with the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology. He is passionate about oral surgery with particular emphasis in Dentoalveolar Surgery and Dental Implants.
Dr. Frank received his Bachelor in Physiology from UC Davis in 1993 and his Doctor of Dental Surgery from UC San Francisco in 1998. After working several years as a general dentist, he decided to advance his education and completed his residency in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD in 2009.
After twenty-one years of active service, deployments and humanitarian missions with the United States Navy, Dr. Frank is now in private practice full-time. He enjoys spending time in the great outdoors and trying out new restaurants with his wife and 3 children.
Dr. Frank works very closely with Dr. J to provide you and your family a comprehensive restorative and surgical dental rehabilitation.
When should your teen get their wisdom teeth removed?
First, you should consult your dentist who specializes in teenagers if the procedure is necessary. However, there are some factors you should consider in having them extracted sooner rather than later.
- Teenagers bodies are a lot more resilient and can heal a lot faster than when they get older. Which means they can recover a lot quicker
- The roots of the wisdom teeth molars, along with the surrounding bone of the jaw, are still developing. Which makes the surgery easier and less painful for your teen.
- If your teenager has had braces and/or other orthodontic treatment, it’s important to have the wisdom teeth removed so it doesn’t cause additional crowding or misalignment to their teeth.
- Having the procedure before your teen leaves for college can avoid any last minute complications or issues
Symptoms that your teen might need their wisdom teeth removed:
- Gums are swollen
- Tenderness in the mouth
- Jaw pain
- Cyst or discharge, which could possibly be a sign of infection or abscess
If your teen is experiencing any of these symptoms call us, or request an appointment here.
What to expect from wisdom teeth removal surgery
In most cases wisdom teeth removal is like other extractions. Your teen will have a local anesthetic applied so that they do not feel any pain. It may also be done with sedation to lessen the discomfort and pain.
Most patients choose to be put to sleep or sedated during the wisdom tooth removal process. However, there may also be the options to use nitrous oxide and local anesthesia. Be sure to discuss these options with your oral surgeon during your consultation appointment.
There are different kinds of wisdom teeth removal, whether the teeth are impacted, or roots are irregularly shaped or curved. Having an oral surgeon who specializes in wisdom teeth removal is important.
Dr. Mac, our oral surgeon will create a specialized treatment plan for your teen.
How long is the recovery period?
After the surgery, your teen may experience some minor bleeding for a couple hours. Although with a specialized oral surgeon there is less bleeding, since it is controlled with sutures and/or special dressings.
It is important for your teen to follow the instructions from their oral surgeon regarding their diet. Most recommendations will include staying on a soft diet and gradually transitioning to solids. Typical foods to avoid are ones that are spicy or difficult to chew.