Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom teeth extraction for impacted, painful, or infected teeth
wisdom tooth extraction in Henderson, Nevada
Pecos Dental removes wisdom teeth for patients in Henderson and the surrounding area. Maybe you have a sore spot in the back of your mouth. Maybe an old X-ray showed a tooth coming in sideways. Either way, we’d rather take a look than have you wonder.
Before anything gets scheduled, the dentist examines your wisdom teeth. We check where they sit, how your gums look, and whether they’re pushing on the teeth next to them. Some patients leave with a plan for removal. Plenty leave knowing their wisdom teeth can stay put.
What is a Wisdom Tooth Extraction
It’s a procedure to take out one or more wisdom teeth. These are your last molars, the big back teeth in the far corners of your mouth. Most people get them between about 17 and 25.
Taking one out isn’t quite like pulling a front tooth or a regular molar. Wisdom teeth sit far back where it’s tight, and they often come in tilted or stay partly under the gum. That can mean more planning, and sometimes a small cut in the gum.
And no, they don’t all have to go.
Why remove a wisdom teeth?
A lot of mouths are simply too small. With no room, a wisdom tooth may grow in at an angle, poke through only halfway, or stay stuck below the gum. From there it can press on the tooth in front, trap food, and become nearly impossible to clean.
We suggest removal for one of two reasons. You already have a problem, or we can see one coming, like damage to the neighboring tooth. We don’t suggest it just because you’re 19.
An exam and X-rays tell us which situation you’re in.
Common reasons for
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Most patients come to us because of one of these:
- Impacted tooth: It’s trapped under the gum or in the jawbone and can’t come in properly.
- Pain: A dull ache at the back of your jaw, or sharp pain when you chew.
- Swollen or infected gums: Red, puffy gums, sometimes with a bad taste.
- Decay: Cavities form easily back there, on the wisdom tooth or the one beside it.
- Damage to the next tooth: A tilted wisdom tooth can push against it and wear it down.
- Hard to clean: If your brush and floss can’t reach it, trouble usually follows.
- Infections that keep coming back: When a tooth is only partly through, a flap of gum can trap bacteria and cause flare-ups again and again.
Having one of these doesn’t automatically mean the tooth has to come out. Sore gums around a tooth that’s still coming in may settle down with better cleaning, for example. We’ll go through your options before deciding anything.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Process
- Exam and planning
We ask about your symptoms, look at your mouth, and take X-rays to see the roots and how the tooth is positioned. Then we talk through the plan and answer your questions. - Numbing
We numb the area around the tooth. You shouldn’t feel sharp pain, though pressure and tugging are normal. - Removing the Tooth
The dentist loosens the tooth and takes it out. If it’s still under the gum, we may need to make a small opening first. - Cleaning and Checking
We clean the area and make sure it’s ready to heal. Stitches are sometimes needed, and gauze helps control bleeding. - Aftercare
Before you go home, we go over how to look after the area and when to call us.
Aftercare for
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Expect a sore, puffy mouth for a few days. Light oozing on the first day is normal. Healing speed varies from person to person.
What helps:
- Follow the instructions we give you. They’re based on your mouth and how your procedure went.
- Stick to soft foods at first. Yogurt, soup, mashed potatoes, and eggs all work.
- Skip the straw for the first few days. Suction can pull out the blood clot that protects the spot.
- Keep the area clean the way we show you. That’s usually gentle rinsing and careful brushing nearby.
- Don’t smoke while you heal. It slows things down and makes problems more likely.
- Come back for follow-up if we ask you to.
Call us if the pain is getting worse instead of better, bleeding won’t stop with gentle pressure, or swelling keeps growing after the first few days. Fever, pus, a bad taste that won’t go away, or numbness that lingers are also reasons to pick up the phone.
frequently asked questions
Does Wisdom Tooth Extraction Hurt?
The area is numbed first, so you shouldn't feel sharp pain. You'll probably feel pressure. Some soreness afterward is normal, and we'll tell you how to manage it.
How Long Does Wisdom Tooth Removal Take?
It depends. A tooth that's fully through the gum can come out fairly quickly. An impacted one takes longer, and so does removing several at once. After your exam, we can give you a better idea.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Most people feel a lot better within a few days. The gum can take a couple of weeks to close up fully. Your recovery may be shorter or longer depending on the tooth.
Do All Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
No. A healthy wisdom tooth with enough room that you can clean well can often stay. We may just ask you to come in regularly so we can keep an eye on it.
What Happens if I Don't Remove My Wisdom Teeth?
It depends on the tooth. If it's already causing trouble, the problem usually doesn't go away on its own. It can lead to infection, decay, or damage to the tooth beside it. If the tooth is healthy, watching it over time may be all you need
Can I Eat After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Yes, but go easy. Start with soft foods that are cool or lukewarm. Avoid anything hard, crunchy, spicy, or very hot until we say it's fine. Wait until the numbness wears off before you eat, or you could bite your cheek without noticing.
How Do I Know if My Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted?
Often you can't tell. Pain at the back of your jaw, swollen gums, a bad taste, or trouble opening wide can be signs. But some impacted teeth cause no symptoms at all, which is why X-rays matter.
Why Choose Pecos Dental Tooth Extraction?
If you come to us in Henderson with a wisdom tooth concern, we start with an exam and X-rays. Then we sit down with you, show you what we found, and explain your options in plain words.
We’ll tell you what the procedure involves, what recovery usually looks like, and who to call if something feels off afterward. If your tooth doesn’t need to come out yet, we’ll say so. You shouldn’t leave with a plan you don’t understand.
Schedule your Wisdom Tooth Extraction Crown Appointment
If a back tooth has been hurting, or your gums keep swelling up, don’t wait for it to get worse. Pecos Dental in Henderson can examine the area and tell you what’s going on.
If you need to have a different tooth removed, see our Tooth Extraction page. Not sure whether you need an appointment yet? Contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.
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