Minnesota Maxillofacial and Oral Consultants, P.A.
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Plymouth & Orono, MN
763-559-7688 & 763-201-2551
  • PATIENT INFORMATION
    • Introduction
    • First Visit
    • Scheduling
    • Financial Information
    • Insurance
    • Privacy Policy
    • Online Videos
  • PROCEDURES
    • Dental Implants
    • Cost of Dental Implants
    • Bone Grafting
    • Sinus Grafting
    • Wisdom Teeth
    • Impacted Canines
    • Facial Trauma
    • Jaw Surgery
    • Ortho Temporary Anchor Devices
    • Oral Pathology
    • TMJ Disorders
    • Bone Morphogenic Protein
    • Platelet Rich Plasma
    • Frenectomy
  • MEET US
    • Meet Dr. Rahimi
    • Meet Dr. Patel
  • SURGICAL INSTRUCTIONS
    • Before Surgery
    • After Implants
    • After Wisdom Teeth
    • After Exposure
    • After Bone Grafts
    • After Sinus Lifts
    • After Extractions
    • After Multiple Extractions
  • PATIENT FORMS
    • Patient Registration
  • REFERRING DOCTORS
    • Referral Form
    • Study Club
    • Links of Interest
  • CONTACT US
    • Contact Information
    • Plymouth Office Map/Directions
    • Orono Office Map/Directions
15600 36th Avenue North, Suite 100
Plymouth, MN 55446
Phone 763-559-7688
Fax 763-559-2237
2765 Kelley Parkway, Suite 120
Orono, MN 55356
Phone 763-201-2551

Procedures

  • Dental Implants
  • Cost of Dental Implants
  • Bone Grafting
  • Sinus Grafting
  • Wisdom Teeth
  • Impacted Canines
  • Facial Trauma
  • Jaw Surgery
  • Ortho Temporary Anchor Devices
  • Oral Pathology
  • TMJ Disorders
  • Bone Morphogenic Protein
  • Platelet Rich Plasma
  • Frenectomy

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom Teeth Removal Illustration

By the age of eighteen, the average adult has 32 teeth; 16 teeth on the top and 16 teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth or molar teeth are used to grind food up into a consistency suitable for swallowing.

The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These four other teeth are your Third Molars, also known as "wisdom teeth."

Why Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.

These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Oral Examination

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Dr. Rahimi and Dr. Patel can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there may be present or future problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid- teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Dr. Rahimi and Dr. Patel have the training, license and experience to provide various types of anesthesia for patients to select the best alternative.

Removal

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, you and your driver will be given post operative instructions, gauze (if needed), and a prescription for pain medication and antibiotics. Please call 763-559-7688 (Plymouth) or 763-201-2551 (Orono) to schedule your one week follow up.

Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety that utilizes modern monitoring equipment and staff that are experienced in anesthesia techniques.

Dental Website: Home | Patient Information | Oral Surgery Plymouth & Orono MN | Oral Surgeon Plymouth & Orono MN | Surgical Instructions | Patient Forms | Referring Doctors | Dental Offices Plymouth & Orono MN | Disclaimer | Sitemap | Dental Website Designby PBHS 2010©

Non-Discrimination Notice