Wisdom teeth, also known as third molar teeth, are teeth that are located at the back of the upper and lower jaws and are the final teeth to erupt into the oral cavity. They usually appear in the mouth between the ages of 17 and 25. They are called wisdom teeth because they erupt in the mouth in the phase of life called the “age of wisdom.” Some individuals may get their wisdom teeth as late as their 40s or 50s. Wisdom teeth removal surgery is a procedure to remove these sets of molars. Most individuals have at least one impacted wisdom tooth because, in most cases, it does not have enough space to grow naturally.

What is a wisdom tooth extraction procedure?

Wisdom tooth extraction surgery is the surgical procedure to remove one or more wisdom teeth. If the wisdom tooth does not have room to grow, it may cause pain, infection, and other dental problems. If these symptoms are present in your case, you might want to get it pulled. Wisdom tooth extraction surgery can be done by a dentist or an oral surgeon. It is recommended to get this surgery done to prevent any future problems an impacted tooth may cause.

Why is the procedure done?

An impacted wisdom tooth may:

• Grow at an angle that may be right next to other teeth.
• Grow at an angle at the back of the mouth.
• Grow at a right angle to other teeth, as if it is directly lying in the jawbone of the patient.
• They may straight up and down but remain trapped within the jawbone of the patient.

Problems that come with an impacted wisdom tooth are as follows:

• Pain in the teeth or the surrounding gums.
• Food and other debris may get trapped behind the wisdom tooth.
• There is the risk of getting infections and gum diseases. Some may get periodontal disease.
• The patient may get tooth decay in the partially erupted wisdom tooth.
• There could be damage to the nearby tooth and surrounding bones of the jawbone.
• It may develop a fluid-filled sac around the wisdom tooth.
• It may cause complications when the patient is getting orthodontic treatment.

What can one expect in the procedure?

The dentist or the oral surgeon can use three types of anesthesia during the procedure; the type of anesthesia depends on the complexity of the surgical procedure and the comfort level of the patient. There are mainly three types of anesthesia that are used for this procedure, and they are Local anesthesia, sedation anesthesia, and general anesthesia.

• Local anesthesia- Your dentist or oral surgeon can inject this with one or two injections near the site of the extraction. Before the injection, the practitioner will have to apply a substance to your gums to numb them. This anesthesia allows the patient to be awake during the procedure, but it does not make them experience any pain.
• General Anesthesia- In some cases, the patient can be given general anesthesia. This is inhaled through the nose or an IV line to the arm of the patient. The surgical team will monitor your condition throughout the procedure; general anesthesia will make the patient feel no pain and leave them with no memory of the procedure.
• General Anesthesia- In some cases, the patient can be given general anesthesia. This is inhaled through the nose or an IV line to the arm of the patient. The surgical team will monitor your condition throughout the procedure; general anesthesia will make the patient feel no pain and leave them with no memory of the procedure.

Let’s discuss what happens during the procedure:

• The doctor or oral surgeon makes an incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone.
• Removes the bone that is blocking access to the tooth root.
• Divides the tooth into sections to make it easier to remove.
• Removes the tooth.
• Cleans the site from which the tooth was removed. Removes all the debris from the tooth and bones.
• Stitches the wound close to let the site heal; this may or may not be necessary.
• Places gauze over the extraction site to control the bleeding and to help a blood clot form in that area.
• Now that we understand how the procedure works let’s understand how one can quickly recover from a wisdom tooth removal surgery.

Tips for recovering from wisdom tooth extraction

• The patient will have to rest as directed by their dentist. This is a very simple instruction but a very important one. Not following this will result in slowing the process down and could cause complications down the line.
• The patient will have to avoid sucking liquid from straws during the recovery as it could dislodge the blood clots from the surgical site.
• Keep your head elevated for a few days after the procedure to avoid swelling and excessive bleeding.
• You can apply ice packs to the side of the face at 15-minute intervals to reduce the swelling in the face.
• Always stay hydrated during the recovery to promote faster healing.
• Eat healthy food and drinks that will keep you nourished during the recovery.
• Do not eat foods that are spicy, crunchy, or hard for at least a week from the surgery. These foods could slow down the recovery process.

Conclusion

Center for Implant Dentistry can take care of all your needs for the surgery. We can make a comprehensive plan as per your needs; we have a very experienced staff working with us that will help you with every step of the procedure. Consult our doctors today to get the best treatment for all your dental needs.