Wisdom tooth extraction is the surgical procedure used to remove wisdom teeth. In almost all cases, there are only four wisdom teeth in a person’s mouth. However, sometimes more can grow in. Either way, dentists recommend having your wisdom teeth removed between the ages of 17 and 25 and preferably before pain or other complications arise.
Because most young adults do not see the dentist on a regular basis, they usually do not know their wisdom teeth are causing complications until the pain begins. Once the pain starts, it continuously worsens and can lead to additional problems such as infections and other dental problems.
Why Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth are extracted mainly due to being impacted (growing at an angle and against another tooth or root), and not having any room to move or grow. Other times they grow in perfectly aligned and upright, but dentists still recommend having them removed since they are naturally prone to complications and disease. It has been proven that the earlier a patient has them removed, a lesser amount of complications arise before, during and after extraction.
Signs You Need Wisdom Tooth Extraction
If you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, chances are you will need to see a dentist or oral surgeon to have one or more removed. Signs include:
- Pain
- Infection of the wisdom tooth
- Damage to an adjacent tooth
- Damage to surrounding bone
- Development of a cyst around the wisdom tooth
- Failed orthodontic treatment
The Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure
You will either meet with your dentist or an oral surgeon. Either way, the procedure can be done at the dentist’s or surgeon’s office. However, if your case is severe, if you are high risk for complications, or if you need to have all four of your wisdom teeth extracted at once, you may need to have the surgery in a hospital.
Before surgery begins, your dentist will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. If you are having more than one tooth extracted, a general anesthesia may be used instead or at the same time. General anesthetics are known to be more potent and may cause you to sleep during the procedure.
During surgery, your dentist will open up the gum tissue that is over the tooth and remove any bone that is in the way. The tissue connecting the tooth to the bone is then separated so the tooth can be extracted. If necessary, the tooth may need to be broken into smaller pieces so it can be extracted.
Depending on the surgery, you may need to have stitches put in to close the whole. Many times dentists use dissolving stitches, but sometimes they use ones that need to be manually removed after time has passed. Gauze is used to control the bleeding, especially during the first day or two after surgery is complete.
Wisdom tooth extraction is similar to other tooth extraction procedures, except for the fact that most times, the dentist has to cut into your gums in order to remove the tooth, whereas during regular tooth extractions, the tooth has already erupted and is visibly showing.
After the Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure
After your wisdom teeth are extracted, you will begin to go through the healing process. Pain, swelling and discomfort are three guarantees after this type of surgery. Many times, your dentist will recommend using cold presses to help with the swelling. Medications such as antibiotics and pain killers are also prescribed to help deal with the healing process.
Many times your dentist will have a list of Do’s and Don’ts, or instructions for you to follow, including:
Do’s:
- Get plenty of rest, physical activities can cause additional bleeding
- Take your medication as recommended
- Drink water
- Get on a liquid or soft-food diet for a few days
- Change gauze pads periodically but routinely for the first 24 hours
- Keep your head propped up
- Leave the area alone as best as possible while brushing,
- Continue to brush and floss other teeth
Don’ts:
- Don’t smoke or use alcohol
- Don’t drink through straws
- Do not try to remove the blood clot if formed
- Do not lie flat on your back or stomach
- Do not rub the area with your tongue
- Don’t bite or tear the tissues on your cheeks, tongue and lip while numb
