Dentists, maxillofacial and oral surgeons can perform wisdom tooth extraction, a procedure that is sometimes carried out in a hospital in the event that numerous wisdom teeth have to be removed at the same time or if there are attached complication risks.
This surgery is delayed in the event that there is an infection and antibiotics are used. Before the wisdom tooth is removed, local anesthetic is usually utilized. In rare situations, general anesthetic is utilized, usually when all wisdom teeth are removed in one session.
Dentists usually open gum tissues and then take out bone that can be covering the wisdom tooth. Tissue that connects bone to tooth is separated and then the tooth is removed. It is possible to have the tooth cut into various small pieces in order to have an easier removal.
Stitches may be necessary after removing a wisdom tooth. Many doctors use those that dissolve after some time whenever possible but there is the possibility of using stitches that would eventually need to be manually removed.
Why Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Most people are not even aware of the fact that wisdom teeth can be extracted. This is quite common and is done in order to prevent or treat various possible problems. The most common ones are the following:
- Wisdom teeth cannot break through gums because the jaw is small.
- Wisdom teeth that break through gums in an improper direction, trapping germs and food.
- Infections, cysts.
- Improper growth angle.
After Wisdom Tooth Extraction
The good news is that recovery only lasts some days in most cases. Painkillers are offered and you have to take them based on surgeon or doctor recommendation. If you want to speed up recovery, you will want to consider the following:
- Change gauze pads whenever they are soaked with blood.
- Do not bite the cheek or lip’s inside when the mouth is still numb following the surgery.
- Try to avoid a laid flat position.
- Use ice packs on your cheek for 15 minutes in one session during the first day after the surgery.
- Avoid physical activity as you recover.
- Consume soft foods at start.
- Never use a straw to zip drinks.
- Use warm salt waters many times per day to rinse the mouth. This reduces pain and swelling.
- Avoid smoking 1 day after your surgery.
- Do not rub the affected area or touch it with the tongue or your fingers.
- Brush your tongue and teeth carefully.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction Risks
Since we are talking about an operation, it is obvious that we are talking about some possible risks that you need to take into account. The most common ones are:
- Swelling and pain in the area that was operated on.
- Pain or difficulty when opening the jaw.
- Bleeding will not stop in the first day after the surgery.
- Gums heal slowly.
- Dry socket, a painful inflammation.
- Dental work damage – like with bridges or crowns.
- Mouth and lips numbness.
Some of the really rare side effects that can appear:
- Fractured jaw – this happens is the wisdom tooth is attached too firmly to the bone of the jaw.
- Lips or mouth numbness that does not disappear.
- Sinus cavity opening when dealing with upper jaw removal.
Any dental surgery can have bacteria enter your bloodstream. This would cause infections. If you have problems fighting infections, antibiotics would be needed both before and after wisdom tooth removal.