Your wisdom teeth may be impacted or partially erupted, and you may have questions about the process. Fortunately, today’s medicine advances in this field have made them possible, resulting in a fast recovery with minimal postoperative discomfort. Modern techniques also include infection-control and sterilization methods, which help ensure the safety of the patient. Listed below are some of the most common problems that patients with impacted wisdom teeth encounter. Here are some solutions to these problems.
Impacted wisdom teeth
There are many signs that your wisdom teeth have become impacted, including throbbing pain, foul breath, and swelling in the jaw, jawbone, and gum tissue. These symptoms may occur temporarily, then return weeks later, or they may never return at all. Regardless, you may be experiencing a symptom that should be taken seriously. Here are the top symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth. Here are some ways to determine if you have them.
If your wisdom teeth are trapped beneath the gum, they may need to be extracted. Depending on how impacted your wisdom teeth are, your dentist may recommend surgery to remove them. An oral surgeon can access the impacted teeth because they are often under the bone. Before performing this procedure, the surgeon will numb your mouth to help prevent pain. The surgeon will then make a small incision in your gum to access the impacted tooth. If necessary, the oral surgeon may need to break the tooth into smaller pieces or excise bone that is blocking it. The procedure will also leave an incision that will be closed with stitches. Some patients may experience some bleeding during the recovery period.
Non-impacted wisdom teeth
Surgical removal of third molars is recommended in some cases for prophylactic purposes. However, many of the justifications for prophylactic removal do not stand up to scrutiny. Among them are the unpredictable eruption, damage to the adjacent teeth, and harboring of harmful pathogenic bacteria. These bacteria can cause a range of conditions including low birth weight and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. In addition, the extraction of third molars may be easier and result in less morbidity and discomfort than removal during adolescence.
In addition to discomfort and pain, partially-erupted wisdom teeth can become a breeding ground for bacteria and may even form cysts. These teeth may also cause the neighboring teeth to become crowded and require treatment to straighten them. The position and shape of the teeth in the mouth are also factors. The dentist may recommend wisdom tooth extraction based on these factors. The age of a patient may also play a role in the decision.
Problems with partially erupted wisdom teeth
People with partially erupted wisdom teeth are prone to pericoronitis, an inflammatory infection in the gum tissue underneath the operculum – the excess gum surrounding the teeth. Because the wisdom teeth are so far back in the mouth, food debris can become trapped underneath the operculum and cause infection. It is important to seek treatment for this condition if you notice symptoms, including bad breath, swelling and pain.
Some people experience no symptoms at all from partially erupted wisdom teeth. Others, however, are bothered by the fact that they have trouble cleaning around them. A partially erupted wisdom tooth may become infected with bacteria and will increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Fortunately, extraction is the only treatment for partially erupted wisdom teeth, but it’s important to get it checked out before it gets too late.
Treatment options for impacted wisdom teeth
Many dental specialists are divided on what to do about impacted wisdom teeth. Some suggest surgical removal, while others suggest more conservative treatments like tooth extraction. A dentist can diagnose the condition and recommend the best treatment for you based on the severity of the impaction. However, if you have asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth, it is important to understand that you may still have an infection. The best way to avoid having to go under the knife is to consult with your dentist before scheduling any surgery.
The dentist may recommend you undergo sedation if you’re anxious. If you’re too afraid of dental visits, you can bring a family member or friend with you. If you’re too nervous for that, you can also learn some techniques to relax. Some dentists offer sedatives and medications for severe cases. If you’re experiencing extreme dental anxiety, you should consult your dentist or oral surgeon for a sedative. If your teeth are in pain and you can’t wait to see a dentist, there are many treatment options available.
Side effects of wisdom teeth removal
While the most common side effects of wisdom teeth removal are infection and bleeding, there are also risks of nerve and blood vessel damage. Some people may experience temporary numbness in the face or mouth, or suffer from a dry socket. In rare cases, a person can suffer permanent damage to the nerve. Depending on the extent of the surgery, one in 100 patients may experience some form of nerve injury after extraction. Some people experience numbness of the tongue or lip for up to 24 hours after tooth extraction.
Another possible side effect is inflammation of the jaw and gum tissues. Because of this, the gums can be red and swollen, and the flap of extra gum tissue may result in a bacterial infection known as pericontis. The infection can spread to the throat and neck. Besides swelling of the gums, the wisdom teeth may also cause a benign tumor or cyst in the jaw. Cysts may also damage nearby teeth and destroy bones.