Wisdom teeth do not always grow properly aligned with the rest of your flat teeth at the back of the mouth (molars). In fact, having well-aligned wisdom teeth is very rare. Most of the time, they do not grow properly through the gum line due to misalignment, lack of space, and the proximity of adjacent teeth.
If your wisdom teeth are severely misaligned, a dentist may recommend a wisdom teeth removal procedure. Not to worry, wisdom teeth removal is a simple, inexpensive procedure that offers huge benefits for your oral health.
When should you have your Wisdom Teeth removed?
Some of the most common signs that you need to undergo Wisdom Teeth removal are:
- You have tooth decay (dental cavities, dental caries, a hole in your tooth).
- You are suffering from an infection on your wisdom tooth.
- Your wisdom tooth has an existing cyst.
- You can’t keep your wisdom teeth clean.
Things to consider
Apart from the cost of wisdom teeth removal, there are other important factors that you should know. This way, you can go into the procedure fully prepared for what is to come.
- Wisdom teeth aftermath: Know that the process of removing a wisdom tooth can be slightly painful. Sometimes, side effects may include the following: bruising, swelling, malaise, and sometimes limited jaw opening or trismus.
- Wisdom teeth recovery phase: Since you are still in pain, you need to rest to recover fully, so you might miss days at school or work.
- Wisdom teeth complications: Our specialists use their experience and skill to reduce the possibility of complications. However, in rare cases, there may be some complications during the procedure. Some of the less likely but possible wisdom teeth complications are numbness of wisdom teeth including the lips, tongue and cheek; damage to teeth, gum, bone, jaw joints; sinus exposure and infection.
The Procedure
Your dentist or oral surgeon may use one of three types of anesthesia, depending on the expected complexity of the wisdom tooth extraction and your comfort level. The 3 types are local anesthesia, sedation anesthesia and general anesthesia.
During wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist or oral surgeon:
- Makes an incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone
- Removes bone that blocks access to the tooth root
- Divides the tooth into sections if it’s easier to remove in pieces
- Removes the tooth
- Cleans the site of the removed tooth of any debris from the tooth or bone
- Stitches the wound closed to promote healing, though this isn’t always necessary
- Places gauze over the extraction site to control bleeding and to help a blood clot form