
Jul
If you live in American Fork, Utah, and have questions about removing wisdom teeth, Dr. Greg G. Pitts and his team at Greg G. Pitts DDS have answers for you. Understanding wisdom teeth and how they can become impacted can help you make the decisions you need to make about whether or not you need to remove your wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth are sometimes called “third molars” and the last teeth that develop in your mouth. They usually begin to erupt in your late teens or early 20s.
These teeth are found far toward the back of the mouth, so they often become impacted.
When wisdom teeth start to come in, they affect the other teeth, causing them to become crooked as they push and turn against them. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause extreme pain.
Wisdom teeth can be removed via two different types of extraction:
Wisdom teeth removal is usually a major procedure, and Dr. Pitts offers three different sedation options in addition to local anesthetic injections and general sedation.
Nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) is administered through a mask that fits comfortably over your nose. As you breathe in the gas, you will feel euphoric and numb, but most of all, you’ll be relaxed enough for your dentist to remove your wisdom teeth easily.
Oral conscious sedation involves taking a pill orally before your procedure. You will feel groggy for between 30 to 60 minutes. However, you remain fully aware of what’s going on and responsive to your surroundings.
For oral surgery, Dr. Pitts will usually opt for IV sedation. When you’re sedated with IV, you don’t lose consciousness but are less aware of what’s happening around you. This type of sedation works very quickly.
Contact Greg G. Pitts DDS, at (801) 758-0019 if you’re concerned about your wisdom teeth. You can also contact us online today.
Dr. Greg G. Pitts earned his DDS from Creighton Dental School in 1999 after completing a BS in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University, where he played football as a linesman for the Cougars. Still actively involved with Utah Valley athletics, Dr. Pitts is the official dentist for both the BYU and Utah Valley University athletic departments. Dr. Pitts is a member of the UDA, ADA, AGD, and the American Academy of Sports Dentistry, reflecting his commitment to maintaining the highest modern standards in dental care.
View LinkedIn ProfileDr. John William Collins received the honor of graduating cum laude from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine with a DMD. With advanced training in molar endodontics and wisdom teeth extractions, he also specializes in root canals and cosmetic dentistry. He is Level 3 sedation certified, so he can provide safe IV sedation for patients who need it. Having served as a general dentist in El Paso, Dr. Collins was also a faculty member at the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Science Center in El Paso.
View LinkedIn ProfileDr. Beau Seager earned his DMD from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine after completing a degree in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University. He has experience serving as a dentist in El Paso, Texas, where he worked with underserved communities, demonstrating his commitment to providing quality care to those in need. Dr. Seager is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of his patients by providing compassionate, expert dental care.
View LinkedIn Profile