Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Reasons for Extraction of Wisdom Teeth

Your wisdom teeth come in after all other teeth have erupted. For many individuals, the wisdom teeth lack enough space to erupt correctly, which can result in various complications. Your dentist can recommend the removal of your wisdom teeth under the following circumstances:

Impacted Wisdom Tooth

A common reason for wisdom teeth removal is impaction. Wisdom teeth can become impacted when there is insufficient space in the mouth. When the wisdom tooth lacks enough space to erupt, it becomes trapped under the gums.

There are several types of impaction:

• Soft tissue impaction occurs when a tooth partially erupts, but the gum tissue covers it, which can cause infections and pain.
• Partial impaction. In this case, the tooth emerges partially but cannot break through the gum.
• Full impaction. The tooth remains wholly trapped under the gum and bone tissue.

An impacted wisdom tooth can cause pain, swelling, and infections. In this case, tooth removal is necessary to relieve discomfort and prevent complications.

Infection or Gum Disease

When wisdom teeth do not emerge fully, they create gum pockets where bacteria can accumulate. These pockets are difficult to clean and can lead to infections, swelling, and gum disease. The bacteria can also cause:

• Pericoronitis is an infection that occurs when the gum tissue around the tooth becomes swollen and infected. Pericoronitis occurs in partially erupted wisdom teeth.
• Cavities. Wisdom teeth are located at the back of the mouth, making it hard to reach them when brushing. As a result, they are at a higher risk of developing cavities and decay. Cavities cause pain and discomfort and can cause severe oral health complications.

When left untreated, these infections can spread to nearby teeth, making extraction the best preventive measure.

Damage to Nearby Teeth

Wisdom teeth that emerge poorly can press against adjacent molars, causing them to shift or become damaged. The constant pressure can also cause misalignment of teeth, leading to issues like crowding. In cases of crowding or damage to nearby teeth, removal of the wisdom tooth is the best solution.

Cysts and Tumors

Wisdom teeth that remain impacted for prolonged periods can lead to the development of cysts or tumors in the jawbone. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can form around the teeth. These growths can cause damage to the bones, teeth, and nerves. When left untreated, cysts and growths can:

• Damage to the nerves results in numbness in the mouth and face
• Damage to the jawbone and surrounding teeth

When you consult your dentist about tumors around the wisdom teeth, the dentist can recommend an extraction of the tooth. An extraction can prevent serious issues that necessitate more extensive surgical procedures.

Pain and Discomfort

Wisdom teeth emerge during late adolescence or early adulthood when the jaw fully develops. Eruption of the wisdom teeth may cause pain and discomfort when they try to erupt. The discomfort can range from mild soreness to severe pain caused by impaction. The pain associated with wisdom tooth eruptions can affect your daily life. If the pain is persistent, your dentist can recommend an extraction.

Considerations for Orthodontics

Wisdom teeth can reverse the advancements in tooth alignment for those who have received orthodontic treatment. They can also affect the outcome of your braces and clear aligners. Wisdom teeth positioned incorrectly may press against the natural teeth and result in misalignment. The majority of orthodontic operations are expensive and time-consuming.

If the wisdom teeth cause the failure, you should have the treatment redone. Before beginning treatment, an orthodontist may occasionally advise having your wisdom teeth extracted.

Thanks to the early extraction, the teeth will have enough room for the alignment procedure, and you can avoid issues during and after orthodontic treatments.

Prevention of Future Complications

Wisdom teeth do not always cause issues when they erupt. However, the risk of complications with these teeth is higher than other molars. Therefore, your dentist can recommend an extraction of your wisdom teeth even when they are not problematic. The early extraction helps prevent complications that could necessitate invasive and costly dental procedures.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure

Wisdom teeth cause pain, discomfort, and other oral health complications. Therefore, a dentist can recommend its extraction. The complexity of the extraction procedure depends on the condition of the tooth. The steps involved in the wisdom tooth extraction procedure include:

Consultation and Evaluation

Before extracting a wisdom tooth, your dentist will schedule a consultation. Wisdom teeth can grow at different angles, making extraction complex. Therefore, the dentist will perform imaging tests like X-rays to determine the tooth’s position. Understanding the tooth’s location helps prevent nerve and sinus damage during the procedure.

Additionally, your dentist can ask for your medical history. It helps the dentist understand your overall health. Underlying conditions or medications you are taking can impact the outcome of your procedure. You must disclose your medical history to avoid complications.

Preparation

If you are under anesthesia, your dentist may ask you to avoid eating or drinking for several hours before the procedure. Additionally, they will discuss your anesthesia options to prevent discomfort and pain during the procedure.

Anesthesia Administration

Before extracting the wisdom tooth, your dentist will administer anesthesia or sedation. It helps numb the gums around the wisdom tooth and relax you. If you have allergic reactions to anesthesia, you must discuss it with your dentist to avoid adverse reactions.

Extraction

If you have an impacted wisdom tooth, your dentist or oral surgeon will make an incision on the gum above the tooth. Removing the wisdom tooth could involve loosening it, breaking it into small pieces, or removing it whole. If your dentist cuts through the gums, stitching is necessary to close the gum and prevent bacteria from entering.

Aftercare Instructions for Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Before leaving, your dentist will give tips for quick recovery and preventing complications. These instructions help to speed up the healing and reduce the risk of complications. They include:

Care for the Extraction Site

After the procedure, your dentist or oral surgeon will place a piece of gauze over the extraction site to control bleeding. You must bite down firmly to apply pressure to facilitate clot formation. After surgery, you should keep the gauze in place for 30 to 45 minutes. If bleeding persists, you can change the gauze and apply pressure again.

A clot around the wisdom tooth extraction site protects the gums and nerves. Therefore, you must avoid any actions that might disturb the blood clot in the socket, such as spitting, sucking through a straw, or smoking. These actions can dislodge the clot, leading to a painful condition called dry socket.

Pain Management

When anesthesia wears off, you should expect some pain around the wisdom extraction site and sometimes on the jaw. The complexity of the extraction may dictate the level of pain you experience. Your oral surgeon can prescribe over-the-counter pain medications.

When taking your medications, you must avoid alcohol use. Alcohol can interfere with the healing process and affect the function of the painkillers.

Rest

The wisdom tooth extraction procedure is complex when the tooth is impacted. Due to the effects of the anesthesia, you cannot drive home after the procedure. Call a cab if you do not have someone to drive you from the dental office after the procedure. Additionally, you must avoid strenuous physical activity for the first 48 hours. Resting allows your body to focus on healing.

Reducing Swelling and Bruising

Swelling and bruising are common after wisdom tooth extraction. Ice packs can ease the swelling within the first 48 hours of the extraction. After that, you can switch to using warm compresses.

Another way to manage the swelling after wisdom tooth extraction is to keep your head elevated. When lying down for the first few nights, you can prop yourself with pillows.

Dietary Restrictions

Your mouth and gums can remain swollen and sensitive even 48 hours after the extraction. For the first few days after the procedure, you should stick to soft foods that do not require chewing. These foods include yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies. You can introduce more solid foods as your body recovers from the procedure.

Hot foods and drinks may increase the risk of bleeding and can irritate the surgical site. Therefore, you should stick to room-temperature foods and beverages for the first 24 hours.

Another dietary recommendation that your dentist may give after a wisdom tooth extraction is that your dentist may also recommend drinking plenty of water. Staying hydrated is essential for your recovery. However, avoid using a straw, as suction can disturb healing.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

You must maintain good oral hygiene after a wisdom tooth extraction. Keeping your mouth and gums clean prevents infection. However, your dentist will advise you to avoid brushing the extraction site for the first 24 hours, allowing the area to rest.

The blood clot prevents excessive bleeding and protects the extraction site from bacteria. After 24 hours, you can brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid brushing directly on the extraction site.

Starting 24 hours after surgery, you should rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution, especially after meals. Gently swish the solution around your mouth, avoiding forceful rinsing or spitting. A soft water rinse helps reduce bacteria and promote healing.

Avoid Smoking

Your dentist will recommend that you quit smoking while you receive a wisdom tooth extraction. Smoking can compromise your immunity and slow down the healing process. Smoking can disrupt blood flow to the area, leading to slower healing and a higher risk of infection. Additionally, the sucking action required when smoking can dislodge the blood clot formed at the extraction site, resulting in a dry socket. Clot formation around the extraction site is necessary to protect the bones and nerves.

Complications of Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Removal of your wisdom teeth is necessary when the teeth cause infection, teeth overcrowding, pain, and other oral health complications. Extracting your wisdom tooth is an invasive procedure that may involve cutting through the gums, depending on the tooth’s condition. Common complications associated with wisdom teeth extraction include

Infection

One of the most common risks associated with wisdom teeth removal is infection. An infection can arise when bacteria enter the body through the surgical site. It can start at the extraction site and spread to the gums, bones, or surrounding tissues. An infection is characterized by swelling, pain, pus drainage, fever, and an unpleasant odor from the mouth.

Dentists sterilize your mouth before removing the wisdom teeth to prevent contamination. However, you must exercise proper care after the procedure, including good oral hygiene. If you experience the symptoms of an infection, you must seek immediate care. Under these circumstances, your dentist can prescribe antibiotics to treat it.

Dry Socket

A dry socket occurs when the blood clot that forms after tooth extraction dissolves prematurely. The bone and nerves are exposed without the clot, leading to intense pain. A dry socket may occur if you do not follow aftercare instructions.

The pain associated with dry sockets can last for several days and may require a visit to the dentist for treatment. Your dentist will clean the socket and place a medicated dressing.

Nerve Injury

Sometimes, wisdom teeth emerge near the inferior alveolar or lingual nerve. Damage to these nerves during extraction can result in loss of sensation. The nerve injury is often temporary. However, it can sometimes cause permanent sensory changes. Proper imaging during extraction can help determine the nerve location and reduce the risk of nerve injury.

Excessive Bleeding

Some bleeding is normal after wisdom teeth extraction. However, prolonged or excessive bleeding can indicate a complication in the procedure. Excessive bleeding may occur if the blood clot fails to form correctly or if a blood vessel is injured.

If you have an underlying medical condition that could affect clotting, you must notify your dentist before the procedure. After an extraction, you can reduce the risk of excessive bleeding by biting on gauze pads. If bleeding persists beyond 24 hours, you should contact the dentist to address the issue.

Excessive Swelling and Bruising

Swelling and bruising are common after wisdom teeth removal. The bruising is a natural response of the body to the surgical trauma. Swelling may extend to the cheeks, neck, or jaw. Bruising, on the other hand, might appear in the skin around the mouth or jaw.

However, the bruising should go away within 48 hours of the extraction. Excessive swelling may signal an underlying issue, such as an infection that needs emergency care.

Sinus Problems

The upper wisdom teeth erupt from near the sinus cavities. Sometimes, the removal of these teeth can result in sinus perforation. If a sinus perforation occurs, you could experience sinus congestion, nosebleeds, or a fluid discharge from the nose. Sinus perforation is a treatable condition. However, you will need additional surgery to close the hole and prevent further complications.

Allergic Reactions to Anesthesia

An extraction of a wisdom tooth is an invasive procedure when the tooth is impacted. Therefore, the dentist or oral surgeon will administer anesthesia to prevent pain or discomfort during the procedure. However, you may experience adverse effects from anesthesia.

Potential anesthesia complications can include allergic reactions, vomiting, nausea, confusion, and difficulty breathing. You can avoid this complication by divulging your medical history to the dentist. The dentist can avoid medications that cause allergic reactions.

Find Expert Dental Services Near Me

Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt, developing during late teenagehood or early adulthood. These teeth may lack enough space to erupt, causing them to remain fully or partially under the gums. Wisdom teeth cause a wide range of complications. Wisdom teeth extraction is a standard dental procedure. The procedure is necessary when these third molars cause pain, infection, or other dental problems.

Sometimes, your dentist can recommend an extraction of healthy wisdom teeth to avoid future complications. The procedure of extracting a wisdom tooth is straightforward. However, several potential complications can arise, including infection, nerve injury, and excessive bleeding.

Consulting a competent dentist and following the aftercare instructions can reduce the risk of complications. At Calabasas Smiles Advanced Dentistry, we offer safe and reliable dental services for our Calabasas, CA, clients.