Knowing The Urgency Behind Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure done at the dental office. It can be done either by your dentist or an oral surgeon. This involves the removal of the wisdom teeth, also called the third molars. These bites are located at the far back corners of the mouth. 

Because of its awkward position, the wisdom tooth sometimes does more harm than good. That’s why dentists advise wisdom teeth removal once a patient is about to complete their permanent teeth. Thus, making this procedure one of the most common treatments done at dental clinics. 

So, what are the reasons why removing a wisdom tooth becomes necessary? 

Why you need a wisdom tooth extraction

Once you reach the late teenage years, your last set of teeth starts to erupt. In fact, wisdom teeth begin to come out at around age 17 and 25. 

There are very few cases of patients who never had their third molars appear. Nevertheless, the rest have their wisdom tooth come out normally while others have issues. With or without problems, dentists believe that removing a wisdom tooth is beneficial for the patient. 

Here are the reasons why extraction of the wisdom tooth is necessary and most of the times, urgent.

• Impacted

As mentioned before, wisdom teeth come out last for adults. This means that all the other teeth are already positioned in the mouth, giving less space for the newcomers. Without enough room, the last molars tend to erupt at a wrong angle or get stuck from its original place. 

Usually, impacted wisdom teeth come in lying flat with its crown facing either the tooth beside it or the back gums. Sometimes, it just gets trapped in between the gums and jawbone which is very risky. When this is the case, you need to get rid of the wisdom tooth immediately or it will cause pain and infection. 

• Tooth decay or gum disease

Delaying wisdom tooth removal usually results in more problems. Sometimes, these bites come out normally, however, it will be difficult to clean the area around the tooth. This will easily lead to bacteria buildup which will then damage the tooth. If left untreated, this can go as far as affecting the gums and develop periodontal disease. 

• To make way for an orthodontic treatment

Overcrowded teeth are one of the reasons why they misalign. To fix this problem, the dentist will suggest an orthodontic solution, such as braces. To install the mechanism and make sure the teeth will have proper alignment, it will be necessary to remove a tooth. In most cases, the tooth pulled out are the third molars.  

• Prevention 

Even without present problems, the dentist can still recommend wisdom tooth removal as a preventive measure. Especially if your dentist notices that your mouth is small or if it’s difficult to clean your teeth, this procedure should be done as soon as possible.

Risks after surgery

Although complications after a wisdom tooth extraction are seldom, you can expect that it can happen. Every wisdom teeth surgery has this kind of risk, sometimes when the patient do not follow post-surgical instructions or related to an existing disease the patient has. Nonetheless, be aware of these signs and consult your dentist immediately. 

1. Dry socket. A dry socket can be painful and may lead to infection. This happens when the blood clot from the wound of the missing tooth is lost. That’s why your dentist will repeatedly tell you how important it is to not do activities that may dislodge the blood clot. It doesn’t only delay your recovery, it also results in a dry socket.
2. Bone exposure. Technically, this isn’t a complication but a part of the healing process. During the extraction, the socket expands the there’s a possibility that the gums are thin in that site that’s why the bone is easily exposed. The risk is that it can irritate the side of the tongue and other soft tissues in your mouth that may cause painful lesions. 
3. Damage to neighbouring teeth, bone, nerves, or sinuses. Due to the pressure caused by the extraction of a wisdom tooth, there’s a possibility that nearby bones and tissues get damaged. This can show up in symptoms such as nose bleeding, painful jaw, or severe teeth sensitivity. 

If you’re considering teeth removal, make sure that you have it with your trusted Thornhill dentist. This kind of procedure should only be done by experts with expanded knowledge and experience.