Wisdom teeth removal

Wisdom teeth – also called third molars — are teeth that erupt last in the jaw. Often the eruption of these teeth is accompanied by discomfort. Due to the abnormal position of the crown or root of the tooth and the lack of space in the jaw, wisdom teeth can harm neighboring teeth and change the bite.

Wisdom teeth practically do not perform the function of chewing food, and most typically they are mentioned only in the context of the need for removal.

What are wisdom teeth, and why do they sometimes need to be removed?

The patient is advised to remove teeth if:

• the tooth did not erupt or did not erupt completely and causes inflammation of soft tissues
• there is an inflammatory process in the tooth or its destruction due to caries
• there is a constant traumatization to the soft tissues of the oral cavity due to improper inclination of the tooth
• in case of inflammation on the tooth roots
• in case of violation of the formation of a healthy bite and for orthodontic treatment.

Extraction of wisdom teeth is a surgical procedure performed only by a dentist-surgeon. Manipulation requires high qualification of the doctor, sterility and appropriate surgical equipment and instruments.

Stages of wisdom tooth extraction

The initial stage before removing the wisdom tooth is diagnosis. Mandatory is a panoramic picture of the jaw or CT. This allows the dentist-surgeon to evaluate the features of the location of the tooth (its crown and roots), the presence of the inflammatory process in the soft tissues or roots of the tooth.

In the absence of contraindications, the doctor arranges the date of the operation. Depending on the complexity of the case, the surgeon uses local anesthesia or removal in a sleep. When choosing a technique for tooth extraction and a type of anesthesia, the surgeon considers the proximity of the location of the tooth root to the maxillary sinus or mandibular nerve, the size of the jaw and the condition of neighboring teeth, comfort and maximum atraumatic for the patient.

If the procedure is carried out according to the standards of tooth extraction operations, and the patient followed all the recommendations in the postoperative period, then there are no complications. But sometimes, after removing the wisdom tooth, symptoms such as swelling of the cheeks and tongue, bleeding from the hole of the tooth, pain, and fever can occur.

It is mandatory to comply with all postoperative recommendations of the doctor! If in doubt about healing, contact the clinic or directly with the dental surgeon.

Post-extraction care

After removing the wisdom tooth, the general recommendations include:

1. Refrain from eating, drinking, and rinsing your mouth for 2–3 hours.
2. Apply a cold compress to the cheek for 10 minutes every few hours (as prescribed by your doctor).
3. Take medications prescribed by your doctor.
4. Refrain from rinsing your mouth so as not to wash the blood clot formation.
5. Do not clean the hole yourself.
6. Refrain from heavy physical exercises and thermal procedures to avoid bleeding.
7. Limit mouth opening.
8. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

These rules should be followed until the wound is fully healed. In case of fever, heavy bleeding or other alarming symptoms, it is recommended urgently to consult a doctor.

To avoid the most common complications in the hole where the tooth was removed, it is important to form a blood clot and follow these recommendations.

On the first day after surgery, you should refrain from hot food, avoid physical exertion and intensive rinsing of the oral cavity.

In the following days, it is important to keep oral hygiene, carry out careful cleaning of teeth, perform hygienic baths of the oral cavity and take in medications as prescribed by doctor (antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs) to avoid secondary infection.

Frequently asked questions when removing wisdom teeth

What is the recovery period from a tooth extraction?

It normally takes two weeks for the wound to heal. But the younger the patient, the faster the rehabilitation process.

When wisdom teeth are not removed?

The eighth teeth may not be removed in the case when they have a normal position (vertically, without tilting towards the mandibular joint or adjacent tooth), and there is enough space on the jaw itself. Also, if the teeth do not have a carious process. But nevertheless, the wisdom teeth are worth constant examination.

How to understand that wisdom teeth erupt?

Signals that the eighth teeth began to grow actively are:

• pain in the jaw in the area of eruption, sometimes discomfort can give in the ear or throat
• difficulties with swallowing and chewing
• pain and swelling of the lymph node on the side where the wisdom tooth erupts
• temperature rise.

How to reduce discomfort after wisdom tooth extraction?

After the anesthesia wears off, there may be a dull pain at the site of tooth extraction. If necessary, you can take an analgesic drug that the doctor will prescribe. If the pain does not decrease or increases within 2–3 days, it is important to immediately consult your doctor.

Is it normal to feel pain in the lymph node area after wisdom tooth extraction?

After atypical tooth extraction, pain may be felt in the area of the lymph nodes, which is normal. If the pain increases and pain also occurs when swallowing joins, limited movement of the jaws is recommended immediately to consult a surgeon.

Tooth removal cost