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General
Tooth Extractions

Wisdom Teeth Extractions in Grand Rapids, MI

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to grow in a normally developing mouth. In the past humans needed these teeth, but as our diets have changed over time these teeth are often more of a burden than a benefit.

This third set of molars often impacts the other teeth, causing them to become crowded and pushed out of place. We remove wisdom teeth so they don’t compromise the appearance of your smile or the health of your jaw.

Types of Impactions

Mesial: When the top of the tooth is angled forward and presses against its neighboring molar, this is called a mesial impaction.

Distal: The opposite of a mesial impaction, this occurs when the top of a tooth is angled towards the back of the mouth. This sometimes causes the tooth root to press against the neighboring molar.

Vertical: The wisdom tooth is situated completely up and down, but is stuck underneath the gums. 

Horizontal: The wisdom tooth is laying on its side, sometimes causing the crown of the tooth to be pressing against the roots of the neighboring molar.

Bony Impaction: The wisdom tooth is trapped in the jawbone — the tooth may not have to be extracted in this case if it’s not impacting the neighboring teeth.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Taking proper care of your mouth after an extraction is vital because the area is more vulnerable to infections. Your dentist will give you detailed instructions when you go in to have your extraction, but basic care guidelines include:

  • Change the gauze pads as necessary
  • Avoid using straws
  • Take painkillers as prescribed
  • Rest for 24 hours following your extraction
  • Don’t rinse, spit, or suck on anything for 24 hours
  • Avoid smoking
  • Brush and floss your teeth, but avoid the extraction site

Tooth Extraction Complications

Complications from tooth extractions are rare, but one condition to look out for is dry socket. When your tooth is removed, a blood clot forms in order to keep the empty socket moist and bacteria-free. 

If this blood clot is dislodged or compromised, then food particles, air, and other debris can become stuck in the socket. It’s also easier for infections to make their way into the area when it’s unprotected. This can cause the area to become infected or inflamed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a tooth extraction take?
What do I do after a tooth extraction?
How long after a tooth extraction can I eat?
How long after a tooth extraction can I smoke?
How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?
What do I do if the site of my extraction is infected?
Is a tooth extraction painful?
Should I feel pain in the days after my tooth extraction?
Can a tooth extraction cause other teeth to hurt?
How long does a tooth extraction take?
The length of time depends on the number of wisdom teeth you’ll need to be removed. Not everyone needs all four of their wisdom teeth extracted, but if you do it usually takes about an hour and a half.
What do I do after a tooth extraction?
The most important thing for you to do after your extraction is to rest. Putting a strain on yourself could affect your recovery and your ability to care for your oral health properly. Give yourself time to recover and follow your dentist’s care instructions.
How long after a tooth extraction can I eat?
For the first 24 to 48 hours, we recommend sticking to soft foods like applesauce, yogurt, and mashed potatoes. Then, you can begin to introduce more solid foods into your diet — start with oatmeal or eggs. When you don’t feel any more pain while chewing, you can try other foods.
How long after a tooth extraction can I smoke?
It’s best to hold off on smoking for as long as possible due to an increased risk for developing dry socket associated with smoking after an extraction. After 72 hours, the risk of dry socket decreases.
How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?
It can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week to recover from a wisdom tooth extraction. After your pain and swelling have reduced, you can resume your daily activities.
What do I do if the site of my extraction is infected?
If your extraction site is infected, call our office at 616-942-9595 for help. We can offer advice and your dentist can prescribe antibiotics if necessary.
Is a tooth extraction painful?
The actual extraction won’t be painful because your dentist will administer an anesthetic. After the procedure, some pain and discomfort are normal — if you’re experiencing pain you believe is abnormal, contact us for help.
Should I feel pain in the days after my tooth extraction?
You’ll likely feel some pain in your jaw for a couple of days — we’ll give you pain medications to help alleviate the discomfort. If your pain is severe, contact us so we can evaluate your case and provide help.
Can a tooth extraction cause other teeth to hurt?
Many of your teeth are connected by the same nerves, so you may feel pain in the teeth around your extraction site.

Easy Extractions at Robson Family Dental

Extractions may seem intimidating, but they’re only performed to improve the health of your mouth. We make our patients’ experiences here at our office as comfortable as possible, so let us know any way we can accommodate you.

To find out more about wisdom tooth extractions, contact our office by calling 616-942-9595 to speak with us or fill out the contact form located on this page. We’ll get right back to you.