You and your dentist may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others because they have advanced periodontal disease (gum disease) or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

Oral Surgery of Alamo Ranch has been providing extraction services in San Antonio and the surrounding area for three decades.

THE EXTRACTION PROCESS

Your Oral Surgery of Alamo Ranch doctor will numb your tooth, jawbone, and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic

During the extraction process you may feel some pressure. This is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth in order to widen the socket for removal. Your Oral Surgery of Alamo Ranch & Kerr County doctor may need to section your tooth to allow its removal. The doctor simply cuts the tooth into sections then removes each section one at a time.

Many patients opt for sedation during their extraction. This is an effective method for providing anxiety relief, relaxation and comfort for our patients.

WISDOM TEETH (THIRD MOLARS)

Third molars are commonly referred to as wisdom teeth. They are usually the last teeth to develop and are located in the back of your mouth, behind your second molars. Wisdom teeth commonly become impacted during development.

WHAT IS AN IMPACTED TOOTH?

Some people have jaws that are too small to accommodate the four wisdom teeth. When inadequate space prevents the teeth from erupting they are called ‘impacted.’ This indicates that they are unable to erupt into the proper position for chewing and cleaning.

Oral Surgery of Alamo Ranch will need to see you for a consultation to determine if you will benefit from wisdom tooth removal. A special x-ray of your mouth and jaws (a cone beam CT or Panorex) will be taken to determine if your wisdom teeth are impacted, if there is room for them to erupt, and how difficult it will be to have them removed.

WHY SHOULD I HAVE MY WISDOM TEETH REMOVED?

If you do not have enough room in your mouth for your third molars to fully erupt, a number of problems can happen. Impacted wisdom teeth should be removed before their root structure is fully developed. In some patients it is as early as 12 or 13, and in others it may not be until the early twenties. Problems tend to occur with increasing frequency after the age of 30. Some of the possible problems related to not removing your wisdom teeth include:

Infection (pericoronitis). Without enough room for total eruption, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth can become irritated and infected, resulting in recurrent pain, swelling, and problems with chewing and/or swallowing.
Cyst formation. Fluid-filled cysts can develop inside the jawbone as a result of impacted teeth. These cysts slowly expand, destroying adjacent jawbone and occasionally teeth. They can be very difficult to treat if your wisdom teeth are not removed in your teenage years. Although rare, tumors can be associated with the delayed removal of wisdom teeth.
Possible crowding. Impacted wisdom teeth may contribute to crowding of your teeth. This is most noticeable with the lower front teeth.
Damage to adjacent teeth. If there is not enough room to clean around a wisdom tooth, the second molar directly in front of it can be adversely affected, resulting in gum disease, bone loss around the tooth, and/or decay.

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