Wisdom Teeth
What is wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth are types of molars found in the very back of your mouth. They usually appear in the late teens or early twenties but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry.
When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed. If it is not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain.
Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and even gum disease.
Wisdom teeth removal procedure
Wisdom teeth are typically removed in the late teens or early twenties because there is a greater chance that the teeth’s roots have not fully formed and the bone surrounding the teeth is less dense. These two factors can make extraction easier as well as shorten the recovery time.
To remove a wisdom tooth, your dentist first needs to numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. Since the impacted tooth may still be under the gums and embedded in your jaw bone, your dentist will need to remove a portion of the covering bone to extract the tooth.
To minimize the amount of bone that is removed from the tooth, your dentist will often “section” your wisdom tooth so that each piece can be removed through a small opening in the bone.
The healing process after wisdom teeth removal
Once your wisdom teeth have been extracted, the healing process begins. Depending on the degree of difficulty related to the extraction, healing time varies. Your dentist will share with you what to expect and provide instructions for a comfortable, efficient healing process
FAQ
What has impacted wisdom teeth?
wisdom teeth are impacted if there is not enough room after the second molar for the tooth to erupt and function properly.
Why do wisdom teeth need to be removed?
If they are impacted and or cause crowding of your teeth, it is recommended to remove them to avoid damaging the surrounding teeth. Partially impacted wisdom teeth are always considered chronically infected as they trap food which serves as an entry for harmful bacteria. If they are incorrect position and otherwise healthy and functional, it is not necessary to have them removed
Why are some wisdom teeth removed surgically and others not?
If wisdom teeth are impacted, your oral surgeon needs to access them through an incision, whereas wisdom teeth that are in a straight position and fully erupted can be extracted just like any other tooth.
How long does local anaesthesia last?
The numbing effects of the local anaesthesia will last about 3-4 hours. In the meantime, the patient can take recommended pain medication on a full stomach.
What is the recovery period after wisdom teeth extraction?
We usually estimate 7 days as an average recovery period, however, some may experience shorter or longer recovery depending on many factors, such as smoking habit, oral hygiene, and complexity of the case, to name a few.
What exactly are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are third molars located in the back of most patients’ mouths. They are usually the last to develop and erupt (if there is enough space). Most jaws do not have enough space to accommodate wisdom teeth in normal alignment and angulation, so they either stay inside the bony jaw or they erupt partially. Especially partially erupted teeth often pose problems as they function as a food trap, paving the way for an infection of the surrounding tissues (pericoronitis). But completely impacted wisdom teeth need to be evaluated too since neighbouring teeth can be damaged in the long term.
At what age do people get wisdom teeth?
people usually first get aware of their wisdom teeth in their teens, whereas others only notice them in later stages of their life.
Does everyone has wisdom teeth?
While not everyone has a full set of 4 wisdom teeth, a vast majority gets at least two or three of them. Ask your oral surgeon to evaluate your specific situation concerning wisdom teeth.
What are some symptoms of infected wisdom teeth?
Some of the most typical symptoms of beginning wisdom teeth infections are jaw pain, tenderness, swelling around the gums, and/or discharge in case of an abscess. Most symptomatic wisdom teeth are already poking through the gum behind your second molar and are therefore considered semi-e-impacted. Some people, however, don’t have any visible or noticeable symptoms of wisdom teeth pain.
What are the typical complications if I do not remove my wisdom teeth?
Problematic wisdom teeth, that are not fully erupted and in alignment with the other teeth, can cause further serious issues, including damage to surrounding teeth, jaw damage (cystic growth), inflamed/infected gum tissues, cavities, alignment problems, and sinusitis. According to studies, even wisdom teeth that show no issues at the moment of the first evaluation can lead to complications in the majority of cases.