After Extraction of Wisdom Teeth
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 Western Reserve OMS, Inc. Phone Number 440.845.0555.
Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety. We utilize modern monitoring equipment and our staff are experienced in anesthesia techniques.
What will I feel like after wisdom teeth removal surgery?
On the first day after wisdom teeth removal surgery, you may experience some minor bleeding and pain. You should cover your pillowcase with something so that you don’t get any blood on it. Each individual’s reaction to surgery varies, and the sensation of pain can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. A variable amount of swelling can be expected following the surgery. This swelling usually peaks on the second day and should begin resolving on the third day. You can limit the amount of swelling you will have by using ice for the entire first day. The more ice you use the first day, the less swelling you are likely to have on the second day. Please remember to put ice on the first day even if it is somewhat uncomfortable to have the cold next to your skin. On the third day, you will notice that your jaw muscles are stiff, and it is difficult to open your mouth normally. You can apply moist heat to your face on the second and third day allowing your muscles to relax more and open wider. Most of the time you will want to limit your activities for a few days. We ask that you follow your post-operative instructions closely. Doing so will make you as comfortable as possible during the first few days following your procedure. Please allow time for your body to begin healing before resuming an active social, academic, or athletic schedule. Most patients feel like they are over the hump and on their way to recovery in 3 to 5 days.
Relieve the Discomfort Caused by Wisdom Teeth
Don’t suffer any longer! Dr. Frazee can gently extract wisdom teeth to prevent future complications.
Are there any problems after the extraction of wisdom teeth?
As with any medical procedure, there can be complications or an unanticipated result. Some complications that patients undergoing wisdom tooth extraction may experience include:
- damage to the sensory nerve that supplies sensation to the lips and tongue
- sinus communication
- infections
- dry sockets
After the procedure, our assistants will review your post-operative instructions with your escort. We ask that you follow these instructions closely, as they will make you most comfortable following your procedure. If you were sedated, you will be comfortable and drowsy when you leave the office. Most patients prefer to go home and rest with no other physical or scholastic activities planned for a few days. With any medical procedure, there can be unexpected results. These can include delayed healing, infection and post-operative numbness or tingling in your lip, chin, or tongue. Dr. Frazee will review relevant post-operative events with you and answer any questions during your office visit.
Damage to Sensory Nerve:
A primary concern is a nerve within the lower jaw bone that supplies feeling to the lower lip, chin, and tongue. This nerve is frequently very close to the roots of the lower wisdom teeth. Having these teeth out between the ages of 12 and 18 usually provides shorter roots so that the nerve is not so close to the roots of these teeth. Occasionally, when the teeth are removed, and especially in older patients, the nerve can become injured. When local anesthesia wears off, you may experience a tingling or numbing sensation in the lower lip, chin, or tongue. Should this occur, it is usually temporary and will resolve gradually over a period of weeks or months. On rare occasions it can result in a permanent alteration of sensation similar to having local anesthesia. We feel that you should be aware of this possibility before consenting to surgery.
Sinus Communication:
The upper wisdom teeth are situated close to your sinuses, and their removal can result in an opening between your mouth and the sinus. Once again, if the teeth are removed at an early age, the root formation is minimal, and this complication is very unlikely. However, if it does occur, it will usually close spontaneously, but we may give you special instructions to follow, such as avoid blowing your nose for two or three days following the surgery. You can wipe your nose, but don’t blow your nose. If you have to sneeze, you should sneeze with an open mouth into a tissue. Pressure should not be created in the sinus area, which may dislodge the healing blood clot. If you sense this condition occurring after the surgery, please contact the office. An additional procedure may RARELY be necessary to close the opening.
Dry Sockets:
Dry sockets continue to be the most common problem people experience following dental surgery. They arise due to premature loss of a blood clot in the empty tooth socket. This seems to occur with greater frequency in people who smoke or are taking birth control pills. While both jaws can be affected, they usually occur in the lower jaw on the third to fifth day. They cause a deep, dull, continuous aching on the affected side(s). Patients may first notice the pain starting in the ear radiating down towards the chin.
The symptoms frequently begin in the middle of the night, and your pain medication regimen may not help. Treatment can involve changing your prescription. Occasionally it is helpful to place a medicated dressing in the empty tooth socket. This will help decrease the pain and protect the socket from food particles. The effectiveness in alleviating the pain lasts for 24-48 hours and may require dressing changes every day or two, for five to seven days. Dressings usually are removed when you have been pain free for 2 to 3 days.
The dressing doesn’t aid in healing. The only reason to place a dressing is for pain control. If medication is controlling the pain, the socket will heal without a dressing. Following removal of the dressing, an irrigation device may be provided to help you to keep food particles from lodging in the extraction site.
Infection:
Occasionally, post-operative infections occur. This usually requires an office visit and clinical examination. Many times, just placing you on an antibiotic for one week will take care of the infection. If it persists, the area will have to be drained and cleaned. Other temporary problems you may experience in the post-operative period include stiffness of the jaws, chafing around the corners of your lips, facial bruising, and blood oozing from the extraction sites. The post-operative instruction sheet we will provide should answer many of the questions related to these more common concerns. If not, don’t hesitate to call the office at Western Reserve OMS, Inc. Phone Number 440.845.0555.
Western Reserve Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The relationship began with my 18 year old daughter needing all 4 of her wisdom teeth removed. The entire staff a Western Reserve OMS were amazing. Everyone worked together from our first telephone contact to schedule an appointment through the final procedure and follow up with an attitude of wanting to serve. They acknowledged us immediately with friendliness and professionalism, from filling out forms, gathering insurance information assisting us in filling out my claim correctly. Dr. Frazee was so kind in putting us at ease concerning the reason for our visit and removed any fears we had about the recommended procedures. We felt very comfortable with his diagnosis, treatment and follow up plan. We appreciated very much everyone we came in contact with during our time there. I will be having all my family members cared for by WR-OMS for all or oral surgery needs as well as making recommendations to our friends to do the same.
- Valerie W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Great staff and office setting.
- Cheryl O
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
They did everything they could to make me comfortable from payment to procedure. Thank you.
- Colleen H
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Everyone here is awesome
- Danielle D
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Made the whole process as smooth as possible.
- Elliot G
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The doctor and staff at Western Reserve OMS are fantastic! We were aware of everything that would happen the day of the procedure and after. Dr. Frazee did a great job with Cupar and he felt very comfortable. The whole procedure was relatively stress free because Dr. Frazee and staff made it that way! We received a follow up call the day of the procedure and a couple days after to make sure Cupar was still doing well. We are so happy we chose Dr. Frazee!
- Beth P
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was afraid for the procedure but after a consultation, everything was explained thouroughly and Dr. Frazee put my mind at ease. Everything went smoothly, just as Dr. Frazee had said, and I was able to have a quick and easy recovery.
- Krista R
Western Reserve Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
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Very informant doctor
- Brian A
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Overall experience was great
- Grant S
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Thanks for being so friendly
- Jenna C
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You were all amazing throughout this whole procedure. Thank you so much!!
- Michelle C
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All of the staff was extremely helpful and caring.
- Irina J
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This office is very professional. Would come back here if I ever needed to again.
- Aaron D
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Best service I have ever received for a surgery.
- Jacob D
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Couldn't have ask for a better doctor or nurses. Everyone was very kind, patient and knowledgeable. I am happy I got my wisdom teeth taken out here.
- Stacey L
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Very pleased with results and doctor and staff I am very nervous And they were patient with me
- Delilah Rivera
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Dr Frazee was very helpful and informed
- Pat Z
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Made me feel comfortable
- Matt H
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Convenient for me. Very professional.
- Laura A
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No complaints, staff was very kind and helpful.
- Cara A
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Everyone did a wonderful job on making this procedure as painless as possible!
- Jason B
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Will recommend to family and friends for sure.
- Geno L
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Answers questions an explains well
- Toni B