Wisdom teeth typically appear between 17-25 years of age. Some fortunate individuals never develop these teeth which also known as third molars. Those who have room for the teeth to surface often do not have issues with these teeth, and therefore, do not require extraction. However, for the unfortunate majority of individuals, there is simply not enough room in the mouth for these teeth to erupt. As a result, the wisdom teeth become impacted, often growing in at an angle and wreaking havoc inside the patient’s mouth. In this case, wisdom teeth removal is necessary for the patient’s oral health and safety.
Problems Resulting from Impacted Wisdom Teeth
With no room in the mouth for these teeth to properly erupt, there are numerous problems that can occur. If you experience any discomfort, pain, or a bad taste in your mouth it is likely that you will need them removed. Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to abscesses and lasting gum disease. They can also cause damage to nearby teeth. This is due to the inability to clean between the impacted teeth and can lead to tooth decay.
Anesthesia for Wisdom Teeth Removal
There are several factors that will determine the method of surgery and anesthesia required. For those whose teeth are easy to access, and there is not a risk of nerve damage, a simple extraction may be performed. This can be performed under local anesthesia. This means that you will be awake during the procedure, you may experience pressure during the surgery, but not feel pain. Although this is an outpatient procedure, for those with severe impaction, surgery will require sedation and general anesthesia. This means that you will be unconscious during the procedure, will require someone to accompany you to surgery, and drive you home. Fortunately, you will have none or little recollection of the procedure.
Risks of Wisdom Teeth Removal
This procedure should be performed by a trained and experienced oral surgeon. There are, as with any procedure several risks involved with surgery. Dry socket is a common painful complication in which the blood clot falls out of the surgical site and bone is exposed. There is also the risk of jaw or sinus damage, as well as damage to nerves and nearby teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure
Oral surgeons follow a standard procedure for the removal of wisdom teeth. After the patient is sedated, they will create an incision to expose the tooth and gum. Then they must remove the bone to access the root of the wisdom tooth. Depending on the severity of the impact, teeth may need to be cut into sections to safely remove. After removal, they will simply clean the surgical site and apply gauze to encourage blood clotting.
Newton Dental Associates Can Assist in your Wisdom Teeth Removal
Call Newton Dental Associates today for more information regarding your need for wisdom teeth removal. Do not wait. The pain that results from impacted wisdom teeth does not get better unless the wisdom teeth are removed. Letting the issue fester will lead to pain, rot, decay, and disease in the mouth. It is imperative that you contact Newton Dental Associates immediately to schedule a consultation.
