Wisdom Teeth and their Removal

Wisdom Teeth Removal

What You Must Know About Wisdom Tooth Removal

Unfortunately for some, wisdom tooth removal becomes necessary when this last set of molars come in. Sometimes there simply isn't enough room left in the jaw, and the wisdom tooth can press against the gums and other teeth, often leading to painful infections.

When antibiotics and minor gum surgeries are unable to provide permanent relief, wisdom tooth removal offers the only solution for ending the pain.

Wisdom tooth removal can be carried out two ways. In many cases, patients can receive local anesthesia to numb the area directly around the wisdom tooth, and it is pulled out. This method of wisdom tooth removal is appropriate if there are no other complications involved.

However, sometimes there are complications to wisdom tooth removal when the tooth rests in an unnatural position under the gums. If the wisdom tooth lays sideways under the gum and the roots have grown into the back of the jaw bone, the tooth is unable to cut through, and impaction and infection result.

This type of wisdom tooth removal calls for more invasive surgery. The patient will undergo general aesthetic, and once the gum has been cut it may be necessary to remove part of the jaw bone to complete the wisdom tooth removal. Stitches are required to close the site of the wisdom tooth removal.

After the wisdom tooth removal, many patients will experience pain and swelling at the site. The oral surgeon will usually prescribe antibiotics, and perhaps an oral rinse as well as pain medication. It's important to rest and allow the site of the wisdom tooth removal to properly clot over.

Wisdom tooth removal patients should watch for these signs of infection or complications:

1. Continued swelling after the first three days.
2. Renewed bleeding at the site that doesn't respond to pressure from gauze.
3. High fever.
4. Pain that does to respond to pain killers.

Do not hesitate to contact your dental professional if one or more of these warning signs appear after wisdom tooth removal.

Wisdom tooth removal can be quite a serious process, but your dental professional has the experience to help you through it.