Emergency Wisdom Tooth Extraction NYC

At Central Park Oral Surgery, we offer emergency wisdom tooth extraction for patients who are experiencing pain, infections, or other complications caused by wisdom teeth. Emergency wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure to remove one or more wisdom teeth. While wisdom teeth are not necessary to maintain good oral health, they can cause some serious complications when left untreated. By recognizing when wisdom teeth need urgent treatment, patients can avoid further discomfort caused by their wisdom teeth.

WHAT ARE WISDOM TEETH?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth in the mouth to emerge, usually surfacing in the mouth during the late teens and early twenties. While wisdom teeth can sometimes emerge without causing any significant problems, they often become a source of great pain and discomfort. Wisdom teeth often become impacted, or stuck within the gums or jawbone, unable to break free. When there isn’t enough room in the jaw for wisdom teeth to erupt properly, patients can experience severe pain and shifting of the teeth. While most patients are able to schedule out their wisdom tooth removal surgery, there are cases we see that require immediate extraction. Your dentist may recommend that you see an oral surgeon, or our oral surgeon may evaluate your teeth and determine if you require emergency treatment. It is best to have wisdom teeth removed before they emerge to avoid discomfort.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY WISDOM TEETH ARE COMING IN?

Wisdom teeth typically begin to emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. Some signs that your wisdom teeth may be coming in include pain and irritation, swelling of the gums, bleeding, discharge, and white flecks appearing towards the back of the mouth. Difficulty opening your mouth and bad breath or an unpleasant taste are also common signs that your wisdom teeth may be coming in. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with our New York City oral surgeon for confirmation and to discuss wisdom tooth removal surgery.

WHEN SHOULD I GET AN EMERGENCY WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTION?

You should seek emergency wisdom tooth extraction if you experience severe, pain that over-the-counter pain relievers cannot alleviate, excessive bleeding that persists for several hours or is accompanied by large blood clots, significant swelling in the face or jaw, particularly when accompanied by fever, or difficulty breathing or swallowing. Wisdom tooth pain occurs at the back of the mouth and is most severe when a tooth is impacted. In complex cases, wisdom teeth can cause nerve damage, sinus complications, and infection. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to contact your oral surgeon or seek emergency wisdom tooth removal immediately.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF WAITING TO HAVE WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTED?

Patients who wait to have their wisdom teeth extracted, especially in emergency situations, risk infection, damage to the jawbone and surrounding teeth, and more. Patients who opt to wait often develop complications caused by their wisdom teeth, making the removal process more complicated and the recovery period lengthier. Unlike our ancestors, the size of our mouth does not accommodate for extra teeth. When wisdom teeth begin to emerge, they can push the other teeth in the mouth, leading to tooth crowding and misalignment. Additionally, wisdom teeth that have become impacted pose a greater risk of developing infection. Patients should be proactive when considering wisdom tooth removal surgery in New York City.

WHAT ARE IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH?

Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars that fail to fully erupt through the gums. This can happen due to lack of space in the jaw or abnormal positioning of the tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause various dental problems, including pain, infection, damage to nearby teeth, and difficulty with oral hygiene. In many cases, dentists recommend removing impacted wisdom teeth promptly to prevent future complications. Read more about the types of wisdom tooth impactions below.

Vertical Impaction: Caused when the tooth is too close to the neighboring tooth and becomes stuck beside the adjacent tooth.

Partial Impaction: Tooth begins to emerge but runs into the adjacent tooth with a flap of gum tissue over the wisdom tooth.

Horizontal Impaction: Occurs when the wisdom tooth is horizontally trapped under the gumline.

Soft Tissue Impaction: Caused by the tooth only partially emerging from the jawbone & becoming stuck under the gum.

Bony Impaction: Occurs when the tooth is fully concealed within the jawbone.

Mesial Impaction: Results in a tooth that is improperly angled while erupting & causes pain to the neighboring tooth.

Distal Impaction: Occurs when the tooth is positioned away from your other teeth & is moving toward the back of your mouth.

WHAT SHOULD I DO WHILE WAITING FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP?

While waiting for an emergency appointment, patients may be advised to take over-the-counter pain medication as directed and apply ice to the affected area to relieve swelling. During the recovery period patients will be required to eat a soft or liquid diet, so it is best to plan ahead. Based on your condition, our staff will provide detailed pre-operative instructions to follow while waiting for your appointment.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING EMERGENCY WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTION?

The specifics of each emergency wisdom tooth removal case will vary based on a variety of factors. For patients whose wisdom teeth are emerging normally, general anesthesia may not be necessary. In more complicated cases, patients will be put to sleep to ensure their comfort throughout the entirety of the procedure. Patients who are given local anesthesia are often offered IV sedation to help them relax. To ensure the utmost precision, our team will take intraoral scans before beginning surgery.

WHAT IS RECOVERY LIKE FOLLOWING EMERGENCY WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTION?

Following wisdom tooth extraction, patients will experience mild-to-moderate bleeding, swelling, and discomfort. Patients will likely have to eat mostly soft or liquid foods, such as soup, pasta, oatmeal, smoothies, and more, following their surgery. It is advised that patients should avoid drinking through a straw, as this can dislodge the blood clot and lead to dry socket, a painful condition that can occur after a tooth is removed. Patients should refrain from brushing their teeth for at least 24 hours to avoid irritating the surgical sites. Saltwater rinses are preferred after eating during the early stages of emergency wisdom tooth removal recovery.

HOW DO I GET STARTED WITH EMERGENCY WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTION IN NYC?

To learn more about emergency wisdom tooth extraction in NYC, call Central Park Oral Surgery at our Madison Avenue office at 212.813.0707 or request an appointment online to schedule a personal consultation.