Wisdom Teeth
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Cannon Oral Surgery
Brandon Cannon, DDS
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon located in Chattanooga, TN
Your wisdom teeth, or third molars, can cause complications if they erupt in your mouth. Hospital-trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon Brandon Cannon, DDS, performs wisdom teeth extractions at Cannon Oral Surgery in Chattanooga, Tennessee. To schedule a consultation for wisdom teeth for yourself or your child, call Cannon Oral Surgery or book an appointment online today.
Wisdom Teeth Q&A
What are wisdom teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are the last of your adult teeth to emerge and are in the very back of your mouth. You have four of these molars: one on each side of your lower jaw and one on each side of your upper jaw.
Your wisdom teeth are strong and sturdy enough to chew tough foods – though you can chew effectively without them. They often cause complications as they emerge. You might feel a bit of discomfort as they erupt, but pain may indicate your need for an extraction.
Many people choose to undergo wisdom teeth extractions to prevent complications before they have a chance to occur. At Cannon Oral Surgery, Dr. Cannon can take images to view your wisdom teeth if they haven’t erupted yet and helps you determine if they need to be extracted.
Why should I consider wisdom teeth extraction?
Your wisdom teeth can cause numerous problems for your oral health and function. A few possible complications that come from wisdom teeth that erupt abnormally are:
- Damage to nearby teeth due to crowding
- Gum infections
- Cysts
- Tumors
- Movement or shifting of nearby teeth
- Cavities and tooth decay because of their irregular positioning
Teeth that never fully erupt are called impacted teeth, and wisdom teeth are prone to this. Around 90% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth often lead to cysts on or near them, opening the door for many oral health complications.
What should I expect during my wisdom teeth extraction?
At Cannon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Cannon can perform wisdom teeth extractions. You’ll have options for anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
Dr. Cannon makes incisions in your gums for better access to the underlying wisdom teeth. He may divide each wisdom tooth into pieces for easier removal instead of removing them whole.
Once the tooth is out, he thoroughly cleans the site and stitches your gums back together, placing gauze over the site to control the bleeding.
After the procedure, Dr. Cannon monitors you for a while in the office as the anesthesia wears off. Then, he provides you with a detailed set of instructions to care for your mouth and prevent complications like dry socket or infections.
If you want to consider wisdom teeth extractions call Cannon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery or book a consultation online today.