Wisdom Tooth Extractions in Arlington

A Common Procedure

model of wisdom teeth in jaw The typical reason for extracting these teeth is that they are not where they’re supposed to be. There is often insufficient room in the mouth for the teeth to come all the way through, resulting in a tooth that may be half in and half out of the gums.

It’s quite common for patients to have wisdom teeth removed, and Joseph Reed, DMD, MAGD has three decades of experience providing this service in a painless, anxiety-free manner.

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Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Come Out?

Our teeth are formed to be somewhat self-cleansing, with the shape helping to keep food from becoming stuck. When the tooth doesn’t come all the way out, it doesn’t have that ability, and it forms a food trap. Food builds up and bacteria forms in the pocket, creating rot and a cavity below the surface of the gum. In other cases, a wisdom tooth may impinge on an adjacent tooth, making it impossible to brush and floss those teeth normally. Sometimes there is not enough room at all, and the teeth get stuck or impacted.

What to Expect

You’ll be numb throughout the process, and if you wish to be sedated, we offer a variety of options. Dr. Reed is certified to provide both oral and IV sedation. Using the appropriate tools, he will remove the tooth. He will use a special collagen sponge that includes antibiotics and a clotting agent, and then stitch the socket closed. This ensures that the likelihood of infection is incredibly small—in 30 years, Dr. Reed has never had a wisdom tooth extraction become infected.

After your procedure, you’ll keep the gauze on the socket for 4 hours, then remove it. It’s important to eat and stay hydrated while your body heals.

How Long Does It Take?

This type of extraction can vary in length, depending on a variety of factors. In general, without sedation, the process takes about an hour and a half. With sedation, it can take from two to three hours.

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