Oral Surgery Specialist
A Woman's Touch Dentistry
Maritza O Jenkins, DMD
General Dentist located in Evansville, IN
It’s common to feel nervous about oral surgery, but you can rest assured with the gentle touch of Martiza Jenkins, DMD, and the team at A Woman’s Touch Dentistry. They provide extractions for wisdom teeth and any other tooth that needs to be removed at their location in Evansville, Indiana. For expert oral surgery in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, call or book an appointment online.
Oral Surgery Q & A
What are wisdom teeth?
The appearance of wisdom teeth, or your third molars, are a major dental milestone. Typically erupting around ages 17-21, wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to come in.
Some people never get their wisdom teeth, while others have them grow in with no problems. When wisdom teeth grow in correctly, they can help you chew. However, wisdom teeth often don’t have enough room to come in properly, which leads to pain and other dental problems.
Why would I need my wisdom teeth removed?
You may need to have your wisdom teeth removed if they don’t have adequate space to break through the gums. This is called impacted wisdom teeth, and it’s a common condition that may cause the teeth to erupt only partially, or not at all.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and oral health problems, including:
- Infection
- Periodontal disease
- Tooth decay
- Bone damage
In some cases, cysts, or fluid-filled sacs, may also develop around the wisdom tooth. Dr. Jenkins and the team at A Woman’s Touch Dentistry carefully monitor your developing wisdom teeth for any signs of problems.
What other reasons might I need a tooth extraction?
Aside from wisdom teeth, Dr. Jenkins and the team at A Woman’s Touch Dentistry may perform a tooth extraction procedure on any other tooth that needs to be removed. Reasons you may need a tooth removed include:
- Baby tooth never fell out
- Severely decayed tooth
- Infected tooth
- Damaged tooth
Additionally, they may recommend removing one or more teeth to make space for other teeth in cases of severe crowding.
What should I expect from an oral surgery procedure?
First, Dr. Jenkins or a member of her expert team perform a thorough dental exam and review your medical history. They may take digital X-rays to evaluate the best way to remove the tooth.
On the day of surgery, Dr. Jenkins and her team offer sedation with nitrous oxide (laughing gas), though they rarely need to use it due to their gentle touch. They numb the treatment area with a local anesthetic, so you remain comfortable throughout the procedure.
Then, they remove the tooth and give you gauze to bite down on to initiate the healing process. They provide you with instructions on how to care for your gums and may prescribe pain medication if needed.
If you need a tooth removed, call A Woman’s Touch Dentistry or book an appointment online today.