When you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, you know you must see a dentist. But what kind of dentist? Many people think their general dentist should be able to take care of it. Not exactly a good idea. It would be like going to your family doctor and asking them to do a heart bypass! In my book, ‘The Wise Guide to Wisdom Teeth Extraction,’ I give a detailed description of the procedure and why it demands proper knowledge and skills to perform well. So here are 5 reasons why you should specifically see an oral surgeon (also known as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon) for extraction of your wisdom teeth:
- Expert advice: With extensive experience and expertise, an oral surgeon can better inform you about the condition of your wisdom teeth. He will let you know what problems they may be causing. And lastly, what is the best course of treatment for long-term health. You want someone with in-depth knowledge about wisdom teeth to help you make informed decisions.
- Faster and smoother recovery: Qualified oral surgeons use conservative surgical techniques and perform the procedure in much less time than a general dentist. In fact, in most patients, the extraction of all four wisdom teeth can be done in 20-30 minutes by an oral surgeon. This translates into a faster and a smoother recovery. Most patients can get back to work or school within a couple of days. Also, if the oral surgeon uses a micro-incision approach, you might also experience no swelling or puffiness–none at all! That brings smiles to many happy patients.
- Sleep anesthesia (IV sedation): Oral surgeons are the only type of dental specialists who are trained and qualified to provide IV sedation anesthesia. With this technique, you will take a short nap during the procedure and wake up after it is done. It makes the entire experience comfortable and amazingly smooth. In a general dentist’s office, the best you can get is local anesthesia while you feel and hear the drilling sounds during the procedure.
- Done right the first time: Extraction of wisdom teeth is one of the oral surgeon’s specialties. So, why would anyone want to go through the surgery with a dentist who does not specialize in these type of procedures and may even get stuck in the middle of the procedure with prolonged pain and agony? Yes, this happens all the time! In fact, dentists can get stuck trying to remove wisdom teeth for more than 2 hours with no success! They end up having to send the patient to an oral surgeon to complete the procedure.
- Fewer complications: When wisdom teeth surgery is not done by a specialist it often results in complications, such as infection, dry socket, or nerve damage. Oral surgeons, with their extensive experience and knowledge in the principles of surgery, can remove wisdom teeth with minimal risks of such complications.
