Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are the third molars that may erupt after the age of 18 years. Eruption of a third molar is complex because of less space in the jaw. So sometimes, the wisdom tooth is impacted or erupts partially, which leads to excruciating pain. There may be pain, swelling, or infection to the gum covering the wisdom tooth, also known as pericoronitis. A decayed wisdom tooth also can be removed from the socket as it hardly affects chewing and other oral activities. Impacted wisdom teeth, i.e., no area/less space for the tooth to grow, is very common and the only cure to the problem is extraction or removal of a tooth from the socket. An impacted tooth is a tooth that, for some reason, has been blocked from breaking through the gum. Sometimes a tooth may be only partially impacted, meaning it has started to breakthrough. Impaction can be horizontal, vertical, mesial or distal depending upon the inclination from the long axis of the tooth.
Procedure of extraction of impacted wisdom tooth
Removal of wisdom teeth requires minor surgery. We cut and raise the gingival flap and, if needed, drill the bone and take out the impacted tooth with the help of forceps. This is called trans alveolar extraction. The tooth may need to be cut into 2 or 3 pieces to remove it. Once the wisdom tooth has been removed, the gum is put back into place with stitches. In the majority of cases, these stitches are dissolvable and take around two weeks to disappear.
Postoperative complications
After the surgery, there may be chances of swelling, pain, and difficulty in opening the mouth. But the complications subside gradually within one week. You will need to eat a soft diet for a week or so. There may be some bruising of the skin of your face that can take up to a fortnight to fade away. The application of an ice pack during the first 24 hours postoperatively may help.
Aster clinic ensures the safest and almost painless extraction of wisdom tooth under local anesthesia, under the supervision of the top and trained oral and maxillofacial surgeons. We ensure seamless care and post-operative guidance to our patients. To know more about the surgical procedure, visit our clinic now.
FAQ's
You should ice your face for the first 2 days, but don’t go beyond that. Initially, stay on liquid a soft foods diet and avoid hard foods for at least a week. Take your medication as prescribed, and avoid using straws, spitting, sucking, and smoking for at least a week.
Because the area around your wisdom teeth will be numb, you should not experience any pain during the procedure. However, if you experience pain during the treatment, inform your dentist or oral surgeon about it.
The surgery to remove your wisdom tooth or teeth can take up to two weeks to recover from.
If you are experiencing pain in your jaw, swelling or stiffness, bad breath, have swollen, tender, or bleeding gums, or have difficulty in eating and opening your mouth, visit your dentist immediately. These are the warning signs of needing a wisdom teeth removal.
Most wisdom teeth erupt between the mid-teens to the late 20s. It’s not uncommon for them to continue developing until you’re about 30 years old.