Should I Go to an Oral Surgeon to Have My Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Key Takeaways
While many dentists can remove wisdom teeth in their office, they’re not always equipped to handle complex cases and the high risk of complications. A dedicated oral surgeon offers a higher level of patient care before, during, and after the procedure.
If you need a tooth pulled, your dentist is probably the first person you call—and more often than not, they’re the best person for the job.
When it’s wisdom teeth that need to come out, however, it might be better to look for help beyond your dentist. The location of wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth and their high risk for complications often require a specialist for their removal, particularly a skilled oral surgeon.
If wisdom teeth removal has been recommended for you or your child, and you’re wondering, “Should I go to an oral surgeon to have my wisdom teeth extracted?” you’re not alone. There are many reasons an oral surgeon is the best option for your wisdom teeth removal.
Understanding Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, located in the very back of your mouth. Wisdom teeth usually emerge during your late teens or early 20s—if they come in at all. For many people, wisdom teeth do not properly erupt, meaning that they don’t fully grow through your gums.
If you’re lucky, that might mean that you can keep your wisdom teeth. Too often, however, the teeth grow in at an angle, partially erupt, or become impacted in the jaw. These complications can cause any number of dental issues, from tooth crowding to infections and cysts in the jaw.
That’s why so many dentists and oral surgeons recommend wisdom teeth extraction, or the complete removal of wisdom teeth. Whether they’re fully erupted, partially erupted, or impacted in the gums, wisdom teeth extraction is one of the most common oral surgeries people undergo—but that doesn’t mean just anyone can do it.
Wisdom teeth can’t simply be yanked out of the mouth. If your teen’s wisdom teeth are partially or fully hidden under the gums, your dentist or oral surgeon will need to cut through the gums to expose the tooth. The tooth might be removed in one piece, or cut into smaller portions for easier extraction. If needed, they’ll finish the job by adding stitches to close the wound.
When Can a General Dentist Remove Wisdom Teeth?
In a simple, straightforward wisdom teeth extraction, a dentist can cleanly and effectively remove wisdom teeth without complications.
Simple Extractions
With a fully erupted, healthy wisdom tooth, extraction is a relatively simple process. Dentists will typically rely on local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth before pulling it out. As long as everything goes well, the procedure is relatively quick, and you or your child are likely to be well on the way to recovery within a few days.
If things don’t go well, however, your dentist may need to pause the extraction process and refer you to an oral surgeon in NJ. Often, it depends on your dentist’s experience, expertise, and comfort level with the procedure and possible complications, not to mention the state of your teeth and gums.
Is it Better to Have an Oral Surgeon Remove Wisdom Teeth?
In many cases, an experienced oral surgeon is key to a smooth wisdom teeth extraction and recovery.
Wisdom teeth naturally have a high tendency toward complications, both in their growth and removal. An oral surgeon’s advanced training and expertise better prepare them to handle issues as they arise, ensuring that you or your child get the complete care they need.
Complex Extractions
Because of their location and high risk of complications, wisdom teeth are often much more difficult to remove than other teeth. There are a number of factors that add to the complexity of a wisdom tooth extraction, including:
- A risk of damage to adjacent teeth
- Impaction
- Severe decay, cracked wisdom teeth, or fractures in the teeth
- The need for general anesthesia
Tucked in the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth are naturally more difficult to access, even for a skilled surgeon. The size of your mouth, the level of impaction, and the amount of crowding you experience can all make extraction more difficult and increase the risk of damage to adjacent teeth. Wisdom teeth removal often requires a high level of skill and precision.
That becomes even more true when the teeth are cracked, fractured, or decayed. An oral surgeon must ensure that all pieces of the tooth are removed and that the tissue around the tooth is treated appropriately.
Anesthesia and Sedation Options
Unlike in a dentist’s office, oral surgeons are more likely to have a wide range of anesthesia options available, including local anesthesia, general anesthesia, and IV sedation. While all three are intended to prevent you from feeling pain during the procedure, the experience is different with each.
Local anesthesia, which is more commonly used in a dentist’s office, requires less time to wear off. You won’t feel any pain, but they’ll be fully aware of the procedure, and you’ll likely feel pressure and other sensations throughout. For people with anxiety about the procedure, this often isn’t enough.
IV sedation and general anesthesia offer a stronger alternative, allowing you to be partially or fully asleep during the extraction. Both significantly increase a patient’s comfort level during the procedure, and are often recommended or required in complex cases. Even with IV sedation, in which you may be technically awake throughout, they’re not likely to remember much.
Benefits of Choosing an Oral Surgeon for Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Oral surgeons are specially trained to handle both simple and complex wisdom teeth extractions, from assessing the situation to post-operative care.
Expertise in Complex Cases
Oral surgeons are not just experts in dentistry; they are highly trained in a wide range of related specialties to provide you with the very best oral care.
Oral surgeons complete both dental school and four years of hospital-based surgical residency. There, they gain experience in internal and emergency medicine, general surgery, anesthesiology, plastic surgery, and more.
This wide range of training, paired with a focus on the teeth and jaws, better prepares an oral surgeon to handle any number of complications from wisdom teeth extraction. These include broken teeth, infection, nerve injury, bleeding, and related maxillary sinus issues.
Post-Operative Care
Wisdom teeth extraction in NJ is an outpatient procedure. You or your child won’t spend more than an hour or two in the chair, and you’ll be back on your feet in a couple of days. Serious complications from wisdom teeth removal are not common, but there’s always a risk, and it doesn’t fully go away until your gums and jaw are healed.
Post-operative care is a critical part of any wisdom teeth removal. Some patients experience infection, dry sockets, or bleeding. When these occur, the advanced training of an oral surgeon is critical to offer post-operative care and get you back on the way to healing.
Final Considerations: Dentist vs. Oral Surgeon for Wisdom Teeth Removal
Ultimately, the choice to have your wisdom teeth removed by a dentist or an oral surgeon is up to you. Many dentists can complete the procedure without a problem—but when issues do arise, you’ll want an oral surgeon on your side.
Our team of NJ oral surgeons has been serving the greater Bergen County, NJ area for more than 70 years. With four convenient locations across the county, our team boasts the only dual-degree oral surgery and medical doctors in Bergen County. That means that we’re not only knowledgeable in surgery but in medicine—allowing us to skillfully address even the most complex wisdom teeth extractions.
From consultation to recovery, our doctors and support team strive to make your comfort and well-being a top priority before, during, and after the procedure. Plus, our medical team is always on call to answer questions and respond to emergencies, ensuring that you get the best possible care even after you’ve left the chair. To get answers to your questions, contact the best oral surgeons for wisdom teeth removal in NJ.
Personalized, gentle, comprehensive patient care is our number one priority.
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