Impacted Wisdom Tooth Removal
There are various reasons why, in certain cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is advisable, and in this article, we will try to explain them in a clear and understandable way. Wisdom teeth (or third molars) are the last to appear and are generally formed between the ages of 17 and 25. Often, due to lack of space in the mouth, these teeth may not have enough room to emerge properly; therefore, a physical obstacle is created which makes correct eruption impossible (in this case we speak of " impacted teeth "). Finding yourself with teeth in this condition is never positive, as they can cause various problems over time, including pain, infection, cyst formation, damage to adjacent teeth, and alterations in correct alignment. Let's also not forget that wisdom teeth can be difficult to clean properly due to their position in the dental arch, which can lead to tooth decay or gum disease, and/or discomfort caused by wisdom teeth. Your dentist must perform a comprehensive exam to determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed.
If the wisdom teeth are healthy and completely erupted, as well as being correctly aligned, it is possible to keep them without problems (there is no reason to undertake this procedure if the patient does not present any discomfort). However, due to the potential problems they can cause, it is essential to consider periodic visits which, in addition to checking the oral cavity as a whole and planning good professional oral hygiene, also evaluate the condition of the wisdom teeth in question.
How many wisdom teeth need to be removed?
The answer to this question is not universal and depends on many factors specific to the individual. In theory, every person has four wisdom teeth – two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw. However, not all people develop all four wisdom teeth, and some may not develop any at all. The decision about how many wisdom teeth to remove depends on various factors, including:
- their location;
- overall dental health;
- if your wisdom teeth are causing problems now or if you think they will soon;
- the professional opinion of the dentist or oral surgeon.
The surgery
Before surgery, a thorough examination of the oral cavity is performed. The tomographics (CT) always necessary show the eighths with their roots, their position in the bone and their proximity to certain anatomical structures (nerves, maxillary sinus).
Anesthesia: Removal of impacted wisdom teeth is a routine procedure, which can be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. For the surgical extraction of an eighth in bone inclusion, the gingival tissues that cover it are first opened, exposing the tooth, after which the bone that surrounds it is removed with great care, then the tooth is removed by sectioning it into two or more parts, then closes the wound with stitches. The day after surgery, the wound is checked, and the stitches are removed after a week.
After the surgery - What happens?
A few days before the operation, the patient is given precise instructions on the behavior he will have to adopt and on the postoperative course. Together with the necessary medicines, you receive an instruction leaflet with the appropriate explanations.
Pain: The intensity and duration of the pain depend on the complexity of the operation as well as on the individual tolerance to the operation, normally there is not much pain, and it disappears after a few days. With painkillers it is possible to control it without problems.
Swelling: after this type of surgery, more or less pronounced swelling is physiological. The ice pack helps to contain the swelling which reaches its maximum about 48 hours after the operation.
Hematoma: Sometimes the appearance of bruises on the cheek may occur, and this is due to the appearance of a hematoma.
Opening of the mouth: In the first days the opening of the mouth can be limited, however it is advisable to carry out masticatory exercises in order to reduce the swelling and improve the post-operative course.