Wisdom Teeth Removal in Churubusco, IN

Safe and Painless Extraction

No patient wants to hear they need a tooth extraction, but often it’s the best option to preserve their oral health. When it comes to wisdom teeth, extraction is sometimes the only way to relieve painful symptoms and avoid serious health risks.

At Turtletown Dental, Dr. Bixler and our dental team understand how intimidating extractions can sound. That’s why we offer various dental sedation options to help patients feel at ease during their procedures. Read on to learn more about wisdom teeth extractions and when they’re necessary.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the third molars that erupt during your late teens or early twenties. When your wisdom teeth begin to emerge, they can easily grow in at an incorrect angle. They may not emerge at all and instead become trapped below the gum line. This can put pressure on your other teeth. For some patients, they end up causing pain and other oral health problems.

If your wisdom teeth show signs of erupting incorrectly or being impacted, we advise you to have them extracted as soon as possible. This way, we can help you avoid the early painful signs of wisdom teeth problems.

What Are the Signs of Wisdom Teeth Problems?

During your biannual dental checkups at our Churbusco office, Dr. Bixler will evaluate the state of your wisdom teeth as part of your dental exam. If he notices signs of your wisdom teeth erupting incorrectly or not at all, he’ll recommend an extraction.

However, you may notice potentially painful symptoms before Dr. Bixler can catch the problem. Impacted or crooked wisdom teeth may be to blame if you experience:

Jaw pain or tenderness
Inflammed or swollen gums
Persistent bad breath
Frequent toothaches
Bad taste when you bite down on food

If you suspect your wisdom teeth are impacted, it’s essential that you seek treatment immediately. When left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to decay, recurring infections, and gum disease.

When you schedule your appointment with Dr. Bixler, he’ll assess your situation and determine which course of treatment will be most effective for you.

The Wisdom Teeth Extraction Process

Dr. Bixler can safely and painlessly remove wisdom teeth in just one visit to our Churubusco office. At your initial consultation, he’ll discuss your dental sedation options so you can be at ease during the procedure.

After administering your preferred method of sedation, Dr. Bixler will make a small incision in your gums to access and gently remove your wisdom teeth. After the wisdom teeth have been extracted, he’ll carefully apply stitches and gauze to the surgical areas so you can begin the healing process.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Dr. Bixler will provide you with a list of post-op care instructions after your procedure. It’s essential that you follow these instructions to ensure proper healing and avoid any complications.

After a tooth extraction, Dr. Bixler typically advises patients to:

Take pain relievers as prescribed
Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 24 hours
Avoid brushing and flossing the extraction sites
Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and sucking on straws for 72 hours
Apply a cold compress to reduce cheek swelling
Bite on a gauze pad to stop bleeding, replacing it every 30 minutes or as needed

After a few days, you should be able to return to your normal routine. However, if pain, swelling, or bleeding persists past 72 hours, contact our Churubusco office right away at (260) 693-9300. Dr. Bixler will assess your situation and relieve you of your painful symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a wisdom tooth extraction take?

Wisdom tooth extraction can be completed in just one appointment at our Churubusco office. On average, this procedure typically takes between 30 and 45 minutes to complete.

However, the exact time your extraction will take depends on your situation and individual needs, such as how badly impacted your wisdom teeth are or the number of teeth being extracted. At your initial consultation, Dr. Bixler will provide you with an accurate treatment timeline.

Are wisdom tooth extractions painful?

Dr. Bixler and our dental team are dedicated to performing extractions with the utmost care. We offer sedative and non-sedative options so you can rest easy during your procedure. Dr. Bixler will discuss your options with you at your initial consultation.

You may experience slight discomfort once the numbness fades, but we’ll prescribe pain mediations to help you better recover. Cold compresses can also be used to reduce any swelling or inflammation.

What can I eat after a wisdom tooth extraction?

After an extraction, Dr. Bixler advises patients to avoid crunchy, hot, and tough foods for at least two weeks. It’s essential to stick to a soft and liquid-based diet to avoid irritating your extraction site. Some foods you may eat include but aren’t limited to:

Juices and smoothies
Yogurt and pudding
Mashed potatoes
Blended soups and broth
Scrambled eggs
Applesauce

Don’t Wait to Seek Treatment

Patients may avoid the dental care they need for fear of painful procedures. However, impacted wisdom teeth could lead to increased unnecessary pain as well as various health risks if left untreated. If you feel nervous or anxious about your procedure, we offer a variety of sedative and non-sedative options to help put you at ease.

If you suspect you need a wisdom tooth extraction, contact our Churubusco office at (260) 693-9300. You can also fill out a contact form and a team member will get back to you shortly. Dr. Bixler and our dental team will ensure your extraction is painless and stress-free.

As one of the premier dental practices near Columbia City, IN, Turtle Town Dental also offers a full range of dental and orthodontic services to patients from Fort Wayne, Churubusco, Albion, Avilla, Kendallville, Garrett & Ligonier.