Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Montreal

 Laurier Station
Clinique Dentaire du Boulevard
by Eileen Margossian, MD

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• Wisdom Tooth Hotline
  Call us: (514) 277-7737

In this 4 min read, Dr. Margossian from Clinique Dentaire du Boulevard explains:

• 3 types of wisdom tooth you need to get extracted
• 5 reasons to remove your wisdom tooth
• How to prepare for wisdom tooth extraction
• What to expect on wisdom tooth extraction day
• 5 Wisdom tooth extraction aftercare advices

Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a very normal part of adult life for many, many people. These molars are the very last permanent teeth to appear in your mouth, and typically develop during young adulthood (between 17 and 25 years old).

Despite their name, they have nothing to do with how smart you are – these molars are called “wisdom teeth” because they appear much later in life, when we are older and wiser.

For some people, wisdom teeth grow in like all of their other molars: upright, and without putting any undue pressure on other teeth. However, many people develop “impacted” wisdom teeth, which means they must be removed for the sake of your overall oral health.

What is an impacted wisdom tooth?

In the world of dentistry, an impacted tooth is one that is growing in an irregular way. This can mean one of a number of different things, depending on the patient. An impacted wisdom tooth may be:

1. Growing in at an angle and aiming towards another tooth
2. Growing in at an angle and aiming towards the back of the mouth
3. Growing in at a regular angle, but remaining trapped inside the jawbone

Different types of impacted wisdom teeth create different oral health issues, all of which can be uncomfortable for the patient. Some of these issues include:

1. Oral pain
2. Development of a cyst around the tooth
3. Infection in gum tissue
4. Food getting trapped behind the tooth
5. Crowding with other teeth as wisdom tooth grows towards them

To avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort, or to provide relief when symptoms do begin to crop up, you’ll need a dentist with a wealth of experience extracting wisdom teeth.

How can I prepare for my wisdom tooth extraction?

One of the most important factors while preparing for wisdom tooth removal is finding a dentist you trust. When you arrive at your specialist’s office on the day of your appointment, you’ll want to feel as calm and confident as possible: when patients know they are in good hands, the process feels much less stressful.

Since wisdom tooth extraction is an outpatient procedure (meaning you’ll be able to head home shortly after we’re finished), there is not much for patients to do other than show up! We recommend asking someone to drive you home in case the anesthesia leaves you feeling woozy after the surgery.

If you have elected to go under sedative or general anesthesia, you may need to fast starting the evening before the extraction – one of our staff members will be happy to answer your questions if you’re not sure how to proceed!

What should I expect on the day of my operation?

From the moment you walk through the door on the day of your wisdom tooth extraction, our priority is to make you feel relaxed. Clinique Dentaire du Boulevard has been performing this procedure for over 35 years: we’ve had thousands of patients pass through our doors, and each one of them has left happy and healthy. We promise your experience will be no different!

Before the procedure

While it’s not our first wisdom tooth extraction, we know it’s your first time, so you can expect nothing less than kindness and empathy from our entire team.  Before we begin, we’ll explain what’s to come to demystify the process, and leave the floor open to any last-minute questions. Ask us any question that pops into your head – we’ll be happy to put your mind at ease.

During the procedure

Our fast yet gentle approach is the best of both worlds, backed by more than three decades of experience. During that time, we’ve honed our ability to manage pain and discomfort with exceptional success: you’ll be under either local, sedative, or general anesthesia, so you won’t feel a thing while we’re getting the job done.

After the procedure

You did it! You’ve successfully made it through the extraction, and your wisdom teeth won’t be causing you any more trouble. At this point, your “designated driver” will take you home once you’re finished in the recovery room, and you will begin to follow the necessary steps for aftercare.

Wisdom tooth extraction aftercare

While this is indeed an outpatient surgery, there is still a recovery period that follows. Here’s what post-surgery might look like for you, and how you can make your recovery as comfortable as possible.

• Swelling/bruising: The amount of swelling or bruising around the jaw area varies significantly from person to person. It is completely normal to have a swollen “chipmunk” face for a week or two after your surgery as well as some bruising around the jawline.
• Bleeding: You may experience some bleeding in the 24-hour period that follows your procedure. If so, take care to spit it out gently, as not to irritate the area.
• Pain: In most cases, over-the-counter pain medication is enough to do the trick, though your dentist may prescribe stronger pain relievers depending on the extent of your surgery. Holding an ice pack to the affected area (along the jawline) also helps.
• Food and drink: Avoid drinking through straws for one week after the surgery, and stick to soft foods (applesauce, ice cream, etc.) for at least the first 24 hours. You can transition to semi-soft foods when you’re ready, but don’t rush the process!
• Brushing: Avoid brushing your teeth, spitting, rinsing your mouth, or using mouthwash for the 24 hours following your operation. Then, reintroduce brushing very gently to avoid irritating the wound.

The wisdom you need for wisdom tooth removal

Backed by over 35 years of experience, Clinique Dentaire du Boulevard is fully equipped to extract your wisdom teeth safely, efficiently, and with the utmost care for your well-being. Ready to discover why we’re ranked among the top 3% of dentists in Montreal? Book an appointment or give us a call today (514) 277-7737 if you have any questions at all related to wisdom tooth removal.