Wisdom teeth problem
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last of the molars in the back of the mouth. They usually appear and grow between the ages of 17 and 25. Sometimes wisdom teeth are not visible (because they have not erupted through the gums) but they give noticeable symptoms of their presence, most often in the form of intense pain.
Unerupted or partially erupted wisdom teeth can be removed for the following reasons:
They can be trapped in the jawbone or gums, which can be painful.
They grow at the wrong angle and can press against other teeth.
There is no room in the patient's jaw for an extra set of molars.
The patient may not be able to perform proper hygiene on these teeth, which can lead to decay or gum disease.
In such cases, a wisdom teeth removal procedure should be implemented. This is usually a simple surgical procedure, but in some cases, it can be slightly more complicated. Wisdom teeth are the last to erupt and often have little room to align properly within the maxilla or mandible. Sometimes, wisdom teeth are impacted horizontally, vertically, or at an angle. Properly conducting a 3D X-ray analysis and taking pantomographic images determines the choice of technique that the dental surgeon will use to perform the wisdom teeth extraction.
Before the surgery, the patient will meet with the surgeon to discuss what the procedure will look like. During the conversation, you should inform them about your health problems and list all the medications you are currently taking. During the interview, the optimal type of anesthesia to be administered during the procedure is jointly determined. If it is general anesthesia, please remember that the duration of the procedure will be extended by the time of drug administration and waking up after the procedure (by about 1-1.5 h).
Types of anesthesia used during the surgical removal of wisdom teeth
Local: There are two most popular types of local anesthesia. The first is an injection of an anesthetic into the gums next to the wisdom tooth being removed. The second is the inhalation of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas.
Sedation: The surgeon anesthetizes the gum area and also administers medication through a vein in the arm to induce drowsiness.
General: Intravenous administration of medication or inhalation of gas through a mask. The procedure is performed under complete sleep.
Wisdom tooth removal surgery should not take longer than 45 minutes. Depending on the degree of impaction of the wisdom teeth, the dental surgeon may consider drilling them or cutting them into smaller pieces. The doctor may also cut the gums or bone to remove the impacted tooth. If this happens, the resulting wounds will be sutured. Sutures usually dissolve a few days after the wisdom teeth extraction procedure is completed.
Everyone reacts differently to the anesthesia administered during surgical wisdom teeth removal. If the patient received local anesthesia and is fully conscious after the procedure, they can safely return home on their own. However, if it was general anesthesia, it is worth arranging for help - the patient will need someone who can drive them home.
Most people do not feel any pain after the procedure. Swelling and mild discomfort will likely occur after several hours for 3 or more days. Complete recovery, if no complications occur, takes a few weeks.
Recovery
To speed up recovery, it is worth following the instructions provided by your dental surgeon.
Here are some tips for the first 3 days after the procedure:
Use ice packs on your face to reduce swelling.
Use a damp, warm towel on a sore jaw.
Gently open and close your mouth to exercise your jaw.
Eat soft foods such as pasta, rice, or soup.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Brush your teeth starting from the second day. Do not brush any blood clots!
Take medications prescribed by your doctor to relieve pain or swelling.
If a fever, prolonged pain, or swelling occurs, contact your doctor.
Do not:
Drink through a straw. Suction can loosen the blood clots that help heal the socket.
Rinse your mouth too vigorously. Your doctor may only recommend rinsing very gently with saltwater.
Eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that could irritate the wounds.
Smoke. Smoking can delay recovery.
Prolonged pain after wisdom tooth extraction may be caused by the development of a dry socket. The cause is most often the washing out or accidental removal of the blood clot that naturally accumulated in the place where the tooth was previously rooted. Pain after wisdom tooth extraction can sometimes also be caused by tooth root fragments left behind after an improperly performed procedure. In such cases, another X-ray should be taken and, if remnants of the removed wisdom tooth are diagnosed, the socket must be cleaned again. After wisdom tooth extraction, so-called phantom pain may also appear, felt like a toothache in the place of the removed wisdom tooth. This pain has a psychological basis and usually subsides on its own after a few days.
Worth remembering
Wisdom teeth that have not been removed should be constantly monitored to prevent potential health complications. It is important to remember to clean your teeth daily, use dental floss and special mouthwashes, and visit the dentist regularly. Only regular visits to the dental clinic will allow for the assessment of the current state of unextracted wisdom teeth and determine their impact on overall oral health.
