Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Here at Burke Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we make every effort to save your natural teeth, but sometimes, teeth need to be extracted to optimize your dental health. Removing wisdom teeth, or third molars, is one of the most common types of oral surgery.

Wisdom teeth can negatively affect your dental health when your jaw is too small to hold them. When this occurs, your bite may be damaged because your other teeth are forced out of alignment. Third molars may also be problematic when they do not emerge from the gums. The result is crowding of your other teeth’s roots, causing misalignment and affecting your bite.

“So impressed with Dr. Lu and her staff for my wisdom teeth extractions. They did a fantastic job. I went home with minimal pain, no complications. Everything went very well, everybody was so gracious. They answered all my questions and were very informative. Everything I could have asked for and more.”

– Latisha, Annandale, VA

Latisha’s wisdom teeth hadn’t erupted yet, but it was clear from dental x-rays during her checkup that they’d be coming in horizontally. “When I saw the x-rays, I couldn’t believe they were coming in that crooked. It was clear they needed to be removed.”

Dr. Lu talked with Latisha about the procedure. “She answered all my questions in a way that I understood, which helped my anxiety about the procedure,” Latisha says. “Dr. Lu was absolutely the best person for the job.”

After having her extractions done, Latisha feels relieved knowing she no longer has to worry about her impacted wisdom teeth. “Dr. Lu made a huge difference. I have a happy, confident smile thanks to her!”

If you are suffering from gum tenderness, pain or swelling, Dr. Lu will take a panoramic X-ray of your wisdom teeth to determine if they must be removed. If she recommends extraction, it is better to have your wisdom teeth removed sooner than later. Often, the procedure is performed on patients who are in their late teenage years or early twenties because the teeth’s roots have not yet fully formed. This makes extraction easier and cuts down on recovery time.

If extraction is necessary, the experienced team at Burke Family & Cosmetic Dentistry will provide the most comfortable, safest extraction procedure possible. To make your visit as pain-free and relaxing as possible, Dr. Lu may offer either general anesthesia or heavy sedation. Although the idea of extraction may cause you anxiety, at Burke Family & Cosmetic Dentistry you can expect efficient, considerate care from our team from the start of the process through your recovery.

We look forward to having the opportunity to serve your dental needs. For additional questions, please refer to our Dental Health Center section of our web site, or for appointment requests or additional enquiries please call 703.585.2688 or send us an email.