Wisdom teeth are the last molars found on both side of the upper and lower jaw of your mouth. Although some people develop less wisdom teeth or in some rare cases no wisdom teeth at all.
The wisdom teeth are commonly the last teeth to erupt. Problems with the wisdom teeth tend to develop gradually as their development spans over several years. However it is quite common for the changes to cause sudden and often severe pain.
If a tooth gets knocked, heavily decayed, cracked or has deep fillings, it can fire off the pain signals we call “toothache”. Toothache prompts patients to come to the dentist. However, wisdom teeth do not usually cause pain until damage has already been done!
Let the dentist take an x-ray. X-rays taken earlier can indicate whether or not wisdom teeth will cause problems.
It is recommended that impacted wisdom teeth be removed between 14 and 22 years of age whether or not they are causing problems. The risk of complications during any operation increases with age and the healing process is slower.
Dentists recommend the removal of wisdom teeth in order to avoid problems that may arise in the future. Problems include overcrowding of the existing teeth and impaction. This occurs when the wisdom tooth erupts at an angle and impacts either the molar tooth that is in front of it, known as hard impaction, or the gum, known as soft impaction.
A wisdom tooth growing on an angle is no longer useful for chewing which makes it not only painful but also useless. It is therefore recommended that such wisdom teeth be removed.
Wisdom teeth removal surgery is not something people look forward to, but modern surgical and anesthetic techniques as used recently have now combined to make wisdom teeth removal surgery a much more acceptable procedure than in the past.
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Your jawbone normally grows to its approximate adult size till the end of your teenage years. However this size is often too small to hold the slowly developing wisdom teeth. The reason for this is because our jaws are smaller than those of early humans who needed large jaws and more teeth due to their tough diet.
Lack of space: One of the main reasons wisdom teeth can cause so many dental issues is because there is not enough room in most people’s mouths for them to emerge leading to several complications. An impacted wisdom tooth should be removed based on your dentist’s recommendations. The complications that could develop are not worth the risk of leaving them alone. Routine dental examinations and professional cleanings will allow your dentist the time to make the proper diagnosis as to when and if they need to be removed.
Crowding leading to crooked teeth: The pressure of your wisdom teeth attempting to erupt can place forces on your front adjacent teeth pushing them forward Causing crowding. This is especially concerning to those who have already had orthodontic treatment. If left untreated it can lead to further crowding.Crowded wisdom teeth: In the upper jaw have a tendency to lean sideways and grate against the cheek. These wisdom teeth usually cause ulceration and chewing problems.
Cyst formation (fluid filled sac): A cyst may develop from soft tissue around the impacted wisdom tooth. The cyst could lead to bone destruction, jaw expansion and displacement or damage to nearby teeth. In extreme cases the cyst could potentially lead to a tumor or the jaw may fracture spontaneously if the cyst grows larger.
Nerve damage: It is vital to remove your wisdom teeth when recommended. As they develop it is possible they develop in the area of the nerves of the jaws. Damage to these nerves can cause permanent damage.
Tooth decay: Bacteria and food particles can collect around the impacted wisdom tooth which could cause the wisdom tooth or the surrounding teeth to decay. Often infection follows this and leads to tooth loss, bone loss, and periodontal disease.
Gum infection: If the eruption of wisdom teeth is stalled at the halfway point (soft impaction), this can make brushing and flossing the wisdom teeth extremely difficult.Bacteria and food particles can collect around the partially erupted wisdom tooth leading to a localized infection. This may manifest in pain, swelling, bad breath and an inability to fully open your mouth. If this is left untreated, the infection can spread to the cheek and neck.
Pressure pain: Pain can arise from the pressure of the erupting wisdom tooth on the surrounding teeth. In extreme cases the pressure may even cause erosion of the surrounding teeth.
Procedure and pre-surgical consultation of wisdom teeth removal During a consultation involving x-rays or OPG (panoramic x-ray) and examination, the dental surgeon or the oral surgeon can determine which wisdom teeth need to be removed. The wisdom teeth removal commonly involves an incision to open the gum, and sometimes a small portion of the bone may need to be removed to provide access for the wisdom teeth removal. The wisdom teeth may also need to be divided into segments so it can be removed safely and easily. Perfect technique for wisdom teeth removal and a lot of experience is a must for these surgical procedures. The incision in the gum may then need to be closed with stitches.
Once the teeth are removed you will experience pain and swelling. The pain should reduce after the first two days and is managed with painkillers. The swelling will subside after five days, along with any bruising and skin discoloration that may have occurred. Another common symptom is that the jaw muscles become tight and may be up to two weeks till you will be able to open your mouth widely and comfortably.
The first 6-8 hours after your wisdom teeth have been removed are usually the worst. Here are some important things to remember:Try not to disturb the site of extraction- This may lead to infection and bleeding Do not smoke for 12 hours- This will promote bleeding and prevents healing Do not spit or suck through a straw- This will promote bleeding.
