After impacted tooth surgery in Silver Spring, Md.
If you have a tooth that is causing you pain, it may be impacted, and very often the only way to take care of an impacted tooth is to extract it. Dr. Allen Gotora and the staff at Stellar Dental can remove the tooth and get you back to your normal routine in no time!
Here is some information on impacted teeth, and what you can expect after your impacted tooth surgery procedure.
What is an impacted tooth?
An impacted tooth is simply one that doesn’t emerge from underneath the gums properly. It is very common that wisdom teeth have to be removed because they are impacted because they are far back in the mouth and may not have the room to come in properly.
However, other teeth can be impacted as well. It is very common to have impacted upper canines, the teeth that are known as the “eye teeth.” Canines may be impacted for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, there are extra teeth in the mouth that block the eruption of the canine, or there may even be a growth on the gum tissue that makes it hard for the tooth to emerge properly.
What problems can an impacted tooth cause?
An impacted tooth can be very painful. However, it can cause many serious problems as well. An impacted wisdom tooth can be very hard to keep clean because it is way back in the mouth and hasn’t emerged properly. This can mean that bacteria and debris collect on and around the tooth, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
An impacted canine can cause infection, painful changes to the jaw and even the formation of cysts. Any impacted tooth can cause crowding in the mouth, which can harm other teeth, cause pain in the mouth and jaw, and make it hard to get teeth thoroughly clean.
Do impacted teeth always have to be removed?
Wisdom teeth serve no important function and can be removed without harming the patient’s oral health. That’s why the solution for an impacted wisdom tooth is most often to remove it.
Canines, however, are important for a healthy mouth, so the dentist may try to find another solution for an impacted canine. He may try to guide the tooth into the right position. However, if the patient is over 40, it would be extremely difficult to move the canine into the right place, so extraction might be necessary.
What can I expect after impacted tooth surgery?
Some pain and swelling is normal after having teeth extracted. Most patients report that the pain is mild to moderate.
To help, use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek for the first day after surgery. Use the compress for 20 minutes on and then 20 minutes off. Don’t use heat until after the first day, because this can cause the blood clot at the surgical site to come loose and the bleeding to start again. You should lie with your head slightly elevated to help with pain and swelling.
Dr. Gotora may prescribe painkillers for you. Make sure you take the first dose soon after the surgery before the anesthesia wears off and the discomfort begins. Don’t take painkillers on an empty stomach. At least take them with some fruit juice or a full glass of water. If you don’t have a prescription for painkillers, you can try an over-the-counter painkiller.
The surgery site may be closed with self-dissolving stitches, and the site will be packed with gauze to control the bleeding. You should apply slight pressure to the gauze for at least half an hour to allow a blood clot to form. To keep the blood clot from coming loose and to prevent the site from bleeding, you should avoid:
- Smoking
- Using a straw
- Drinking alcohol
- Drinking carbonated beverages
- Using aspirin or aspirin products
You should plan on resting for the rest of the day of the surgery and the next day as well. You can resume your normal activities after that, although you should avoid strenuous activities for about a week.
Although food may be the last thing on your mind after dental surgery, it is important to try to eat as soon as you can. Eating will help you get adequate nutrition so you’ll heal faster and gain strength. You’ll also just feel better! You can start with cold beverages and then move on to soft foods, such as ice cream, thin soups, mashed potatoes and pudding.
When should I call Stellar Dental?
Of course, you can call Stellar Dental if you have any questions! But a call to Dr. Gotora is definitely necessary if you have excessive or severe bleeding that won’t stop, severe pain 24 hours after the surgery or swelling that persists.
If you are considering impacted tooth surgery, you can trust Stellar Dental for a smooth and successful procedure! There are two Stellar Dental locations in Silver Spring and Hyattsville. Call (301) 754-1900 to make an appointment today!
