Do you think you may need wisdom teeth removal? Humans have a third set of molars that emerge in early adulthood. The common term for these is wisdom teeth. People grow this final set of teeth after they turn 19. If these teeth have proper alignment, they can be valuable and healthy. However, most of the time, it becomes essential to remove these teeth due to misalignment.
When you have misaligned wisdom teeth, they may grow horizontally or angle outwards, inwards, or grow away or towards the second molars. Misaligned wisdom teeth can lead to damaged or crowded teeth, nerves, or jaw.
Misalignment can also affect your wisdom teeth. They grow from your jaw bone, soft tissue or by the gums. When the wisdom tooth partially erupts, you may experience an opening. This opening can cause infection and a fantastic place for bacteria. This can result in swelling, pain, general illness, and jaw stiffness. A partial eruption can also cause gum disease and tooth decay because your brushing and flossing will not affect this location.
Problems Associated with Wisdom Teeth
Here are some problems that might occur due to wisdom teeth, and you should remove these teeth immediately:
- Tooth decay
- Crowded teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Sideway growth of wisdom teeth
- Cysts and tumors under the gums
- Jaw pain
How a Dentist will Perform Wisdom Teeth Removal
You will receive anesthesia. An oral surgeon or dentist will select the type of anesthesia, depending on your tooth’s comfort level and complexity. There are three options for anesthesia. These are:
1. Local Anesthesia
For local anesthesia, the oral surgeon or dentist will use one or more injections near your tooth. Before injecting local anesthesia, the dentist will numb your gums by applying a substance. During the extraction, you will be awake. You will not experience any pain but will feel some movement and pressure.
2. Sedation Anesthesia
The oral surgeon or dentist will give you sedation anesthesia with the IV or intravenous line in the arm. Your consciousness will suppress during the procedure because of sedation anesthesia. You will not experience any pain and will remember very little about the procedure. To numb the gum, the dentist will also use local anesthesia.
3. General Anesthesia
The oral surgeon or dentist may also use general anesthesia. There are three methods for general anesthesia. First, the oral surgeon or dentist will use an IV line in the arm, provide medication so that you can inhale, or they may use both methods. That will make you unconscious. The surgeon’s team will monitor your blood pressure, fluids, temperature, breathing, and medication. For postoperative discomfort, they might also use local anesthesia.
- When you are unconscious, your oral surgeon or dentist will follow these steps to extract your tooth:
- They will make a cut in your gum tissue so that the bone and the tooth are visible.
- Remove the bone, blocking the access to the root of the tooth.
- If the surgeon feels that they can’t extract your tooth easily, they will divide the tooth into pieces.
- Now they will remove your tooth.
- Once they remove your tooth, they will remove all the debris from your bone or tooth and clean the location.
- To fasten up the healing process, the surgeon will stitch the wound. However, this step is not necessary.
- To prevent blood clotting and control bleeding, they will place gauze to collect blood extraction.
Wisdom Teeth Removal: After the Procedure
If the surgeon gives you general anesthesia or sedation anesthesia, they will transfer you to the recovery room. However, if you receive local anesthesia, your recovery time will be less, and they will keep you in a dental chair. Once your surgery is over, you need to follow the instructions from your dentists about:
- Tobacco use
- Cleaning the mouth
- Bruising and Swelling
- Pain management
Wisdom Teeth Removal: Signs You Need a Follow Up Visit
When you experience any following symptoms or signs that may lead to nerve damage, infection, or any other health conditions, you should immediately contact the dentist:
- Excessive bleeding
- Pus or blood in nasal discharge
- Loss of feeling or persistent numbness
- Oozing or pus in from the socket
- Change in taste or bad taste
- Swelling getting worse after three to four days
- Severe pain
- Difficult to breathe or swallow
Wisdom Teeth Removal: Consult the Dentists at Ideal Smiles Dental
After extracting your wisdom teeth, you usually do not need an appointment to follow up regarding removing your stitches unless you’re experiencing problems. Furthermore, there is usually no complications during the procedure in normal conditions.