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Oral & Maxillofacial SurgeryPost Treatment CareWisdom Teeth

What To Expect in Wisdom Teeth Removal?

wisdom teeth removal
Dr. Chirag Chamria mentions that one in five cases in dentistry face some kind of issues with the Third Molar !

Wisdom teeth are the third molars in the very back of our mouths and don’t always need removing so long as they’re healthy. They are the last posterior teeth to erupt. Ideally, there are 4 wisdom teeth in the oral cavity two each in upper and lower jaws. Wisdom teeth are placed at the end of the oral cavity and erupt up to the age of 29 years. They erupt fully like other teeth or can erupt partially or impact the bone.

Often, wisdom tooth don’t have room to grow properly and end up creating problems for oral cavity. So is it really necessary to remove your wisdom teeth? So what to really expect during your Wisdom Teeth Removal surgery? Does it come under the purview of dentistry or maxillofacial surgery?

Types of Wisdom Teeth Eruption:

Partially impacted wisdom tooth

Usually seen in lack of space in the upper and lower jaw, small jaw size. So there is not enough space for the wisdom teeth to erupt fully through the gums. It tries to erupt by applying pressure on the front teeth so at times patient feels radiating pain in other teeth as well. While it tries to erupt it can cause a flap of tissue to remain over the tooth. This flap causes pain and swelling in the gingival tissue. This flap can trap food and bacteria resulting in gum pain. This termed as pericoronitis.

Impacted wisdom teeth

If the jaw sizes small and if there no space at all for the wisdom tooth to erupt then they get stuck or impacted in the jaw bone. It doesn’t necessarily cause pain. So not in all situations wisdom teeth hurt. The dentist will suggest appropriate treatment if needed before any major symptoms develop.

Wisdom tooth removal is a common procedure. An x-ray, taken for diagnosis and treatment planning. 

X-ray reveals reasons why an extraction may be needed:

  • Due to insufficient space for eruption
  •  Pressure on the adjacent tooth
  •  Cervical and root caries of the adjacent tooth
  •  Pericoronitis in case of partially erupted third molar
  • Decay of partially erupted wisdom teeth
  •  Limited mouth opening
  •  Odontogenic cyst
  •  Abscess or puss
  • Cellulitis due to bacterial infection

The above conditions treated with antibiotics, antiseptic mouthwashes, saltwater warm gargles, and maintaining good oral hygiene. When the line of action does not suffice surgical removal of wisdom tooth considered. Also if there is no antagonist tooth against the wisdom tooth and if there is recurrent pericoronitis one should consider removing the wisdom tooth.

wisdom tooth pain

Procedure to remove wisdom teeth:

It is a small surgical procedure. If your dentist concludes on extracting your third molar, one should know that the whole procedure would be under local anesthesia and the extraction would get completed in a maximum of 2-3 hours. This procedure is completely painless. The gingiva surrounding the tooth retracted exposing the corresponding bone and tooth.

Impacted or partially impacted molar’s extraction involves cutting of a jaw bone to expose the tooth structure. If your teeth completely erupted bone fragments need incising. Once the tooth structure adequately exposed so as to elevate it or section it, your dentist will extract the tooth. Impacted and partially impacted teeth placed at different angulations and according to the angulation, the technique of extracting the teeth may vary. This procedure is technique and skill-sensitive.  Most oral surgeons summoned to the clinic or suitable for such kinds of extractions. 

wisdom tooth
Sad and depressed wisdom tooth lying inside the bone half impacted.

Once the extraction performed the extraction site thoroughly washed with betadine for no residue of any infection. The retracted gingiva then sutured to its place and a gauze pack given to the patient to reduce bleeding and clot formation. Which in turn helps in healing. 

5 common complications after wisdom teeth removal surgery:

1. Dry Socket (Alveolar Osteitis):

After wisdom tooth extraction formation of blood clots helps in wound healing, but if the blood is displaced then alveolar osteitis or dry socket can be formed, where the nerve underneath the gums is exposed. In such a situation, there would be sharp throbbing pain at the extraction site. This pain is usually experienced after 2-3 days of wisdom tooth extraction. If moderate or severe pain continues after taking medications as well one should consult your dentist or the oral surgeon. They will clean the extracted site and cover it with a zinc-oxide eugenol pack which will soothe the nerve and promote healing.

2. Pain and Swelling:

Mild pain and swelling are the most common and typical complications after extraction. They both last hardly 2-3 days after the extraction and this effect minimalized if one takes the prescribed medicines by your dentist.

3. Limited Mouth Opening:

One may experience trismus or temporary reduced mouth opening after a lengthy procedure of tooth extraction. and it resolves on its own within a week’s time. If the stiffness in the jaw continues and is prolonged heat therapy, pain medication, muscle relaxants or jaw-opening devices can be used.

4. Excessive Bleeding:

It takes 8-12 hours normally for bleeding to stop after extraction. if bleeding persist with excessive flow consult your dentist. Avoid smoking and rinsing your mouth vigorously.

5. Lip Numbness:

This complication is very rare it can be temporary. if the numbness seems to be more than 2 days it could be due to nerve damage. The wisdom tooth is close to the inferior alveolar nerve, during extraction procedure if the nerve get damaged an individual can experience numbness in the lips or jaw. 

wisdom tooth extraction

Royal Dental Clinics, Mumbai, has separate waiting rooms, resting areas, consulting rooms, and treatment rooms for every patient. Utmost care and comfort is provided to patients and relatives by every staff keeping in mind the safety parameters during this pandemic. To know more, visit www.royalimplant.com

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1 Comment

  1. Wisdom teeth the third molars in the very back of our mouths and don’t always need removing so long as they’re healthy. your dentist says it’s time to remove your wisdom teeth. They my refer you an oral surgeon, who will do the procedure in their office. it should only take a days for you to heal.

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