Wisdom Teeth
By the age of 18 the average adult has 32 teeth: 16 teeth on top and 16 teeth on bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine, and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth (molar teeth) are used to grind food into a consistency suitable for swallowing.
The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that is meant to hold only 28 teeth. These four other teeth are your third molars, also known as “wisdom teeth”.
Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this is not what generally happens. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, only partially emerge from the gum, or can even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to successfully erupt. An impacted tooth simply means that it is “stuck”.
These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the teeth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain, and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom teeth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the impacted teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid complications.
Wisdom Teeth Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth are discussed.
Oral Examination
With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Dr. Kim can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there are present or future potential problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist, or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Dr. Kim is trained, licensed, and highly experienced in providing various types of anesthesia for patients.
Removal
In most cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is performed under local anesthesia, laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia), or general anesthesia. These options, as well as the surgical risks (i.e., sensory nerve damage, sinus complications), will be discussed with you before the procedure is performed. Once the teeth are removed, the gum is sutured. To help control bleeding bite down on the gauze placed in your mouth. You will rest under our supervision in the office until you are ready to be taken home. Upon discharge your postoperative kit will include postoperative instructions, a prescription for pain medication, antibiotics, and a follow-up appointment in one week for suture removal. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at Houston Office Phone Number 713-429-4100 and 832-831-8655.
Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety. We utilize modern monitoring equipment and our staff are experienced in anesthesia techniques.
Houston Oral Surgery and Implant Center
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Perfect
- Dorien H
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all the staff are very helpful and nice
- Angela Dominguez
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everything went great I loved it.
- Fernanda C
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I think everything went smoothly, no pain, and very nice staff. i felt very comfortable.
- Jana J
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HAD VERY GOOD EXPERISE WITH STAFF AND MY WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL. WOULD GLADLY RECOMMENDED TO ANYONE OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY
- JOSHUA F
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The experience was good
- jonathan A
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Overall Great Care. Quick and friendly.
- Tarek B
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Great staff , wonderful time while waiting.
- Bobby P
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Todo el personal fué muy atento, agradable y profesional. Mi hijo a penas sintió dolor un par de días, y está cicatrizando muy bien. Estamos muy complacidos por la atención recibida.
- Nicolas F
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n/a
- vanesa m
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everything went good
- antione r
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Did a great work.
- Jazmin F
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Made the procedure extremely easy.
- Brandon N
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great visit , was very nervous at first but after talking to the staff and the doctor they made me feel good and at ease.
- David M
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It went amazing, pain for no more than 4 days.
- latrice l
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Great experience!
- Sarah W
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I really did appreciate the kindness of all the staff, and the doctor did an excellent job, my daughters recovery went very well
- Keichaion G
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Everything went well during my visit.
- sergio R
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Staff and dentist were very informative and attended my calls well
- Ariel C
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thank you
- Lidia M
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Love all the staff members. very nice and professinal
- nicholas davis s
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Everything went great the staffs was very nice.
- Bobby S
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great.
- pedro a
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Fun experience, definitely recommend
- Robinson R
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Everything was great.
- Deanna D
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My procedure went very well,and I am glad I came to this office
- michelle l
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GREAT SERVICE
- Cinthia F
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well it dint hurt...
- noel l
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They did a great job! Brilliant Service!
- Jade G
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good
- alyssa G
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nice place
- Robert K
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i would recommend using this Doctor/Staff to my family and friends for any oral procedures.
- Viral P
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Great service.
- Joanna J
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todo muy bien
- jesus n
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everything went good
- George Mosley
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I had a great experience, they made me feel safe and everything went well.
- Claudia A
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he was nice and i didn't feel any pain
- jamia B
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It was my first wisdom tooth remove and it went every good
- raishaub h
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I felt comfortable with surgery. It was a really fast and easy procedure. Surgery healed quick with no problems. Thank you!
- Rebecca C
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they made sure i was very comfortable the whole time
- akaliah r
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Everything was amazing. surgery was excellent. no pain. easy recovery. Absolutely perfect staff. thank you
- joshua p
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very fast
- zyterica f
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Everything was great, work done at my convenience and comfort.
- Blanca P
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Everything was great.
- Lauran F
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The surgery is very quick yet the waiting time is long. Make sure to bring something to entertain you will waiting for surgery.
- Lydian Z
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the staff and dentist is very nice quick with procedure and recommend nothing but the truth
- shermarke a
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Great service!
- Carolina T
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the process was quickly that you even could not realize. I already introduced my friend to him for his wisdom teeth.
- thao h
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Great Service and felt very comfortable around the staff... Always like the support of the staff..
- Jher H
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Definitely Would Recommend
- Sheila G