Have you ever wondered what the process of wisdom tooth removal involves? Getting your wisdom tooth removed can be a significant step towards maintaining your dental health. In this blog, we’ll explore what you can expect during this procedure, ensuring you’re well-informed and prepared.
Understanding the Reasons for Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth or third molars, are often the last teeth to develop. Sometimes, they emerge from the gum line and the jaw is large enough to allow room for them. However, more commonly, they fail to emerge in proper alignment or do not fully emerge through the gum line and become entrapped or “impacted” within the jaw, leading to a range of potential oral health issues.
Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?
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- Preventing Damage to Adjacent Teeth: If there isn’t enough space for wisdom teeth, they can push against neighbouring teeth, causing pain and misalignment. This can lead to the need for orthodontic treatments to correct the resulting dental issues.
- Avoiding Oral Infection and Gum Disease: Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to swelling, pain and infection of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth. These infections can be persistent and may require more complex dental procedures if not addressed promptly.
- Preventing Cysts: Dentigerous Cysts may form around impacted wisdom teeth or any unerupted tooth which could lead to more serious problems, as they can hollow out the jaw and damage nerves. There are generally no symptoms for these cysts, only diligent dental health checks can show these through X-Ray. They generally occur between the ages of early 20s to the 30s.
The decision to remove wisdom teeth often depends on their potential for causing problems. Early removal is generally recommended to avoid such complications, especially since younger patients typically have easier recoveries from surgery. Additionally, early extraction can prevent the wisdom teeth from becoming impacted, which can lead to more complex dental issues and a more difficult removal process later on.
Steps Involved in the Surgical Removal of Wisdom Teeth
The process of wisdom tooth removal varies depending on the tooth’s size, shape and development. A Maxillofacial Surgeon (A Dental Specialist) is usually the person to remove wisdom teeth as they involve the main nerves to the jaw and can be very complex depending on the roots of the teeth.
- You will need to be referred to a Specialist Maxillofacial Oral Surgeon by the Dentist.
- Initial Consultation: A Specialist will examine your mouth and take special 3D x-rays to determine the position of the wisdom teeth.
- Anaesthesia: The type of anaesthesia used will depend on the expected complexity of the wisdom tooth extraction and your comfort level. Sometimes this will involve a day hospital procedure.
- The Extraction Process: The oral surgeon opens the gum tissue over the tooth, removes any bone covering the tooth, separates the nerves and tissue connecting the tooth to the bone and then removes the tooth.
- Post-Extraction Healing: The recovery period typically lasts a few days. During this time, it’s important to rest and follow the dentist’s instructions.
Book Your Wisdom Tooth Consultation at Live Life Smiling
At Live Life Smiling, we understand the importance of personalised dental care, especially when it comes to wisdom tooth removal. Our dedicated team is ready to offer you advice and customised treatment plans that suit your unique needs. Addressing your wisdom tooth concerns early can prevent future dental complications. Reach out to us today for a consultation.