Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Do you or a loved one need their wisdom teeth removed? Before removing a wisdom tooth, Dr. Chen will place you under IV sedation to ensure you have a comfortable experience. It will prevent pain in the whole body and will cause you to sleep through the procedure.
To remove the wisdom tooth, Dr. Chen will open up the gum tissue over the tooth and take out any bone that is covering the tooth. He will separate the tissue connecting the wisdom tooth to the bone and then remove the tooth.
If any infections are present, surgery will be delayed until the infection has cleared up. Dr. Chen may prescribe antibiotics to help heal the infection.
Dr. Chen will also recommend that no food or drink should be consumed after midnight on the night before the surgery in preparation for the sedation.
What preparations are necessary AFTER the procedure?
After the surgery, you will need to rest. You need to be driven home by a friend or family member because of the anesthesia. You can expect for the extraction site to bleed for a little while after the surgery. Gauze will be applied at the completion of the surgery, and you will need to change it when it becomes soaked. If bleeding continues for longer than 24 hours you should give our office a call. Rest when you return home, but do not lie flat. This could prolong the bleeding. Prop your head up on a pillow when lying down. Dr. Chen will prescribe you pain medication, so if you become sore, take as directed. You can also use an ice pack for the pain. Dr. Chen may also provide you with a cleaning solution to clean the extraction site.
You will be limited to soft foods for a few days after your surgery. Some recommended foods are:
• Gelatin
• Pudding
• Yogurt
• Mashed Potatoes
• Ice Cream
• Thin Soups
• Other food you can eat without chewing.
When drinking, make sure you do not use a straw. The sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process. The same goes for smoking. If you have prolonged pain, bleeding, irritation, or don’t feel that the extraction site is healing properly call our office for a follow-up.
To setup an appointment or to get more information, use the contact form below, or click to call at: (360) 671-7228