Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Extractions are often a last resort but can be the only resort.  If you have teeth that need to be extracted Dr. Polson has the training and experience to ensure you have a good experience.  Having completed a hospital based general practice residency in Burlington Vermont Dr. Polson received advanced training in oral surgery and sedation.  He continues to develop his skills as a member of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology and Academy of General Dentistry.  Using his training and education Dr. Polson offers various levels of anxiety reduction and sedation to alleviate the fear and procrastination of dental extractions.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are your last set of teeth to develop. Wisdom teeth often begin to appear within your teenage years and can come as late as your twenties. All too often wisdom teeth develop with dental complications. Crowding, impacted wisdom teeth, pain, infection or other issues can develop as your wisdom teeth begin to emerge. Wisdom teeth are often extracted to prevent those complications before they occur.  Being pro-active and removing wisdom teeth at the appropriate time will avoid complications and absence from work or school

Healing

Immediately after a wisdom tooth is removed, a bite pack is used to apply pressure to the tooth socket and stop the bleeding. After a tooth extraction, Dr. Polson or his dental assistant will give instructions on how to care for the extracted area. Typically you are not to disrupt the area by touching the the socket with a finger or the tongue. Avoid sucking through a straw or spitting.  You should also avoiding vigorous rinsing of the mouth and strenuous activity for the first 24 hours. Allow a blood clot to form within the area. If the blood clot is dislodged, bleeding can restart and dry socket can develop. Dry socket can be very painful and delay the healing process. Please avoid smoking for at least 24 hours as it impairs wound healing and increases the risk of dry socket.   Dr. Polson may also recommend a warm, salt-water mouth wash or Chlorhexidine prescription rinse for ideal healing.  Sometimes an antibiotic is also prescribed but that is not always the case.  IF bleeding continues to occur after using gauze and pressure for multiple 20 minute intervals consider biting on a tea bag for the next 20 minutes.  Black tea has coagulating properties that help when bleeding continues.

Technology

Dr. Polson believes in using the latest in technology to provide you comfort and the best dental care possible. Stop by and see the difference new technology makes with dental care. Dental phobia is an issue for some individuals, and tooth extraction tends to be feared more than any other dental treatment. With local anesthetic and various levels of sedation we can cater our treatment to ensure you are comfortable and pain free.