Should You Consider Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth removal is a surgical procedure used for getting rid of one or more of your wisdom teeth. If there isn’t enough room for your wisdom tooth to develop properly, it may become impacted and cause infection, pain as well as other dental issues. In a situation like this, you need to take it off and the extraction process can be carried out by an oral surgeon or dentist. Even if your wisdom teeth are not causing any problem for now, it may be better to remove them in prevented order to issues in future.
Reason For Wisdom Teeth Removal
When wisdom teeth become impacted, it may be necessary to go for wisdom teeth removal. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, infection, gum disease, tooth decay, damage to surrounding bone and teeth, cyst development and so on. They can also be extracted so that future dental problems can be prevented. This is because they can harbor disease even when they are not causing any problem for now.
Risks
Majority of wisdom teeth removals do not lead to serious long-term complications. However, since it is a surgical procedure, there are some complications that are likely to come up. You may experience aching dry socket and your jawbone may be exposed when there is a blood clot lost on the treatment site after the surgery. In addition, there may be socket infection caused by captured food particles and bacteria. There can also be damage to surrounding nerves, teeth, sinuses or jawbone.
How To Prepare
Wisdom teeth removal can be carried out in the office of your dentist. On the other hand, if it is intensely impacted or the removal requires a comprehensive surgical approach, you may be referred to an oral surgeon. A local anesthetic may be used for the procedure but sedation may be suggested by your dentist so that you will be more comfortable when the extraction is going on.
During your consultation for wisdom teeth removal, you should ask all the necessary questions from your dentist or oral surgeon. You should know the number of teeth to be extracted and the type of anesthesia that will be used on you. You should demand to know the benefits of the procedure as well as the risks involved. Also you can demand to know the duration of the recovery and when you can resume your normal activities.
Preparing For Surgery
Usually, wisdom teeth extraction is an outpatient process. You have the opportunity of returning home immediately after the surgery. Your dentist or his/her assistants will give you the necessary instructions pertaining to the process, including what you need to do before and after the procedure.
What To Expect During the Procedure
Based on the expected thoroughness of the process, a local, sedation or general anesthetic may be administered on you. The local anesthetic will make you to feel no pain but you will be awake as the process progresses. You may feel some movement and pressure but you won’t feel any pain. The sedation anesthetic is usually administered through an intravenous injection. Your consciousness will be suppressed and you won’t feel any discomfort. In addition, your memory will be limited and your gums may be numbed with a local anesthetic.
A general anesthetic may be used on you if your case is a special one. It will make you to lose total consciousness so that you won’t feel any pain while you are being treated. Your breathing, blood pressure, temperature, medication and fluids will be closely monitored by the surgical team. You won’t have any memory of the process and a local anesthetic may be given to you in order to assist with postoperative pain.
During the wisdom teeth removal, an incision will be made in your gum tissue so that the bone and tooth will be exposed. The bone blocking access to the root of your tooth will then be removed. The tooth may be divided into sections if it will be easier to take it off in pieces. The tooth is then removed and the treatment site will be cleaned so that any remaining debris will be eliminated. The place will then be stitched in order to enhance healing but this is not compulsory. A piece of gauze will be placed on the treatment site to help in controlling bleeding and enhance blood clotting.
After The Procedure
The type of anesthesia administered on you will determine your recovery mode after the surgery. With local anesthesia, your recovery will usually be on the dental chair. On the other hand, if you are given sedation or general anesthesia, you will be taken to the recovery room after the surgery. Your dentist will give you certain instructions regarding your healing and it is very important to follow them conscientiously. Here are some of the possible instructions that will be given to you.
Bleeding
You may experience bleeding on the day following your extraction. You should try to stay away from too much spitting so that the blood clot in the socket is not dislodged. The gauze should be replaced in accordance with the instructions of your dentist.
Pain Management
Your dentist will give you some medications that will assist you in managing post-operative pain. You should use the drugs in accordance to the prescribed dosage so that you will be able to heal up quickly.
Swelling and Bruising
You can apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and bruising. Swelling should resolve within 2 to 3 days but bruising may take more days to abate.
Activity
You should try to rest properly after your wisdom tooth extraction. You can start your normal activities on the following day but arduous activities should be avoided for about one week.
Food
Soft foods should be taken after your surgery. Foods like applesauce and yogurt should be taken on the first day. You can resume semi-soft foods when you can tolerate them but hard foods should be avoided at this period so that they don’t irritate your wound.
Bottom Line
Wisdom teeth removal may be an option for you after proper examination. Hence, your regular dental check-ups should be kept so that your oral health will receive a boost.