Wisdom Tooth Extractions in Las Vegas, NV

Wisdom teeth removal has become a right of passage for many teens. Having their wisdom teeth removed prevents potential complications down the road and, if a wisdom tooth is impacted, resolves the pain and helps prevent infection.

 

Wisdom Teeth Removal for Teens

At Delicate Oral Surgery, we recommend wisdom teeth removal when your child is in their teens.

If exams and x-rays have shown the teeth are positioned in such a way that they will cause problems later in life, removing them sooner rather than later is essential. The roots of the wisdom teeth continue to grow as patients age, making removal more difficult later in life. Teens heal more quickly and are less likely to develop complications after surgery than older patients.

Waiting until wisdom teeth emerge leads to pain or infection for many patients. Once the tooth becomes impacted and causes pain, surgery is required and should occur as soon as possible to relieve the pain and prevent damage to the adjacent teeth and jawbone.

 

Dentists often recommend wisdom tooth extractions if they see evidence on x-rays or digital images that the wisdom teeth will cause problems when they emerge. Wisdom teeth may not have enough room to erupt fully, be trapped in the jawbone, or be angled in a way that can damage other teeth. The American Dental Association outlines multiple reasons your family dentist may recommend wisdom tooth extraction for your teen in their Wisdom Teeth article.

 

Are Wisdom Tooth Extractions Safe for Teens?

Yes. The surgery is safe and often results in improved oral health. A 2021 research article in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery indicates that teens who have wisdom teeth extracted before they cause symptoms usually have better periodontal health five years later.

 

Wisdom tooth extractions are performed in our surgical suite under the strictest guidelines for safety, and patient comfort. We monitor your child’s progress throughout the procedure and have protocols in place for any unexpected situations. The risk of complications is small and includes a dry socket, excessive bleeding, infection, or nerve injury. We provide home-care instructions to avoid dry sockets and excessive bleeding. Dr. Martin is highly skilled in teen wisdom tooth extractions and avoids any possible nerve damage by using the latest techniques and digital technologies.

 

Are You Awake During Wisdom Tooth Extractions?

The type of anesthesia used will determine whether you are awake during wisdom tooth extractions. Most patients prefer to be sedated. We offer IV sedation, which relaxes you and removes any anxiety. You may drift in and out of consciousness while sedated and have no memory of the surgery.

 

What Pain Relievers Can I Use After Wisdom Tooth Extractions?

We provide a prescription for pain medication based on your medical history, which can be filled before surgery. However, most patients can control their pain with ibuprofen (Advil®), relieving pain and inflammation.

The American Dental Association says, “Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to be more effective at reducing pain than opioid analgesics, and are therefore recommended as the first-line therapy for acute pain management.”

If ibuprofen is inadequate, you may take the prescribed medication, carefully following the dosage instructions. Ice packs applied to the cheek also control pain and reduce swelling in the first few days following surgery.

Not all wisdom teeth should be removed.

If you or your teen have concerns regarding wisdom teeth removal, please contact our office.

We will be happy to schedule a consultation with Dr. Martin, who will answer all your questions.

Call 702-552-8000 today.