Wisdom teeth, which are also known as the third molars, are the last permanent teeth to develop in the oral cavity as well as the final ones to come into place. However, as is often the case, many wisdom teeth do not have sufficient room to erupt, are not developing properly, or are causing issues for the adjacent teeth and the surrounding tissues.
A wisdom tooth is considered impacted when it is submerged under gum tissue or bone and unable to erupt into position. Based on the type and amount of overlying tissue, impactions are classified in a few different ways. Soft tissue impactions occur when a wisdom tooth remains covered by gum tissue. If a wisdom tooth remains completely, or partially obstructed by bone, it's known as a bony impaction.
Impacted wisdom teeth can potentially cause many problems and may need to be removed when they are the source of:
Although the extraction of wisdom may be recommended for older patients, the early removal of problematic or potentially problematic wisdom teeth in young adults is often the case. Among the many reasons for this approach to care is that extractions at this stage of life are simpler, and patients experience a shorter recovery time with fewer complications.
Endodontics, or root canal therapy, is employed when the nerve supply to a tooth has been irreversibly affected by damage or decay. It is a way to prevent or help resolve a dental infection and save a natural tooth from extraction. A root canal is performed when there is enough sound root and crown structure remaining to eventually restore form and function to the involved tooth.
Inside every tooth is either a single central chamber or multiple ones that contain connective tissue, a nerve supply, and blood vessels. These core tissues, known as the dental pulp, help your tooth to grow and mature before it emerges into the mouth. A root canal procedure is required when this dental pulp is irreversibly damaged or has died.
Root canal therapy involves cleaning and shaping each canal, and then filling them with a special inert material. Following this they are sealed to prevent any subsequent infection. Once root canal therapy has been completed, the tooth should be fully restored as recommended.
Incision and drainage is a surgical procedure that’s performed to drain a dental abscess and the associated pus from a fascial space (space between layers of tissue) in the head and neck region.
Why an I&D is essential
The risks and complications of a dental infection descending into the deep neck space or ascending to intracranial sinuses are significant and potentially life-threatening. Incision and drainage helps prevent the spread of an infection as well as more severe consequences to one’s health and overall wellbeing.
The process of resolving infection
The incision and drainage site is monitored throughout the healing process and irrigated with sterile saline as required. A small, temporary drain that’s secured with sutures may be placed to aid in pus evacuation. In addition to performing incision and drainage, proper antibiotic support is essential. Pain control to alleviate discomfort along with any dental treatment that’s indicated to address the source of the infection will also be provided.