Surgical Care for Impacted and Problematic Teeth
Wisdom teeth and other teeth sometimes require surgical treatment when they are impacted, partially erupted, or causing symptoms such as pain, infection, or crowding.
At New England Dental Specialists, oral surgery procedures are performed with careful planning and attention to the surrounding bone, teeth, and soft tissues to support safe treatment and comfortable recovery.
Wisdom Tooth Evaluation
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, typically develop during the late teenage years or early adulthood. In some cases, there may not be enough space for these teeth to erupt properly.
Evaluation of wisdom teeth may include:
- clinical examination
- radiographic assessment
- evaluation of tooth position and surrounding structures
This evaluation helps determine whether monitoring or removal of the wisdom teeth is recommended.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth may become impacted, meaning they do not fully erupt into the mouth. Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to problems such as:
- pain or swelling
- infection around the tooth
- damage to neighboring teeth
- cyst formation
When these concerns occur, surgical removal may be recommended.
Surgical Tooth Extractions
In addition to wisdom teeth, other teeth may occasionally require surgical extraction when they cannot be removed with a simple extraction.
Examples include:
- impacted teeth
- fractured teeth below the gumline
- teeth with complex root anatomy
- teeth affected by infection
Surgical techniques are used to carefully remove the tooth while preserving the surrounding bone and tissues whenever possible.
Exposure of Impacted Teeth
Some teeth, particularly canines, may remain impacted within the jaw and fail to erupt normally. In these situations, a surgical exposure procedure may be performed to uncover the tooth and allow orthodontic treatment to guide it into proper position.
This procedure is commonly performed in collaboration with orthodontists and helps support normal alignment and eruption of the affected tooth.
Recovery After Wisdom Tooth Removal
Most patients recover from wisdom tooth removal with minimal disruption to daily activities. Postoperative care instructions are provided to help support proper healing and reduce discomfort.
Common postoperative considerations may include:
- temporary swelling
- mild discomfort
- limited chewing for several days
Careful postoperative guidance helps support comfortable healing and recovery.
Oral Surgery Evaluation
A consultation allows evaluation of the teeth, surrounding bone, and treatment options.
This evaluation may include:
- clinical examination
- radiographic imaging
- discussion of surgical options and recovery expectations
Careful planning helps ensure that oral surgery procedures are performed safely and effectively.