As you’re enjoying a delicious meal, in it comes—the pushy, uninvited guest at the back of your mouth.
After making a trip to a dentist in Dubai Marina, you might discover that your wisdom tooth is messing up your tooth alignment and needs to be extracted.
Yes, tooth extraction can be painful after the procedure, but in some cases, leaving a wisdom tooth without removing it will cause more pain and a possible infection as well.
Find out more about the procedure in this blog in order to manage your fears about it.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that most people get in their teenage years, from ages 17 to 25. They come through last and furthest back in the mouth and typically come in fours.
Interestingly, the number of wisdom teeth can vary among individuals. Some may have a complete set of four, while others might have one, two, or none at all. This diversity is not a sign of any problem but rather a testament to humans’ ongoing evolutionary changes.
Dental scientists believe that wisdom teeth have become an unnecessary part of the human mouth. Our ancestors used molars to chew hard foods such as raw meat. Today, with the availability of eating utensils, humans no longer need these molars.
Yet oftentimes, these teeth are a valuable part of the mouth when they are healthy and properly aligned.
When Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction Necessary?
Wisdom teeth usually grow without causing any issues, but at other times, they may be problematic and need removal.
For example, wisdom teeth may be enclosed within the soft tissue and/or jawbone or partially erupt through the gum, in which case this partial growth causes an opening where bacteria can enter and cause infections, such as:
- Gum disease.
- Pericoronitis – when plaque causes an infection in the soft tissue surrounding the tooth.
- Abscess – a collection of pus in the wisdom tooth or surrounding tissue due to a bacterial infection.
- Swelling and jaw stiffness.
On the other hand, wisdom teeth can over-erupt, forcing dentists to extract them. In some cases, they may put pressure on the rest of the teeth or grow too far and damage the cheek and gums.
Extracting these teeth is a common procedure in oral surgery and is nothing to be afraid of. Dentists often recommend this treatment to maintain oral health and protect the surrounding teeth.
How Is This Procedure Done?
Usually, your dentist will extract the wisdom teeth. However, in difficult situations, such as partial tooth growth, the dentist will refer you to a specialized surgeon who will perform the procedure in a hospital.
The process begins with anesthesia, as several types of it vary according to the condition of the patient:
- Local anesthesia: oral anesthesia only.
- Intravenous sedation: This involves oral anesthesia, then intravenous sedation that leaves you unconscious throughout the procedure.
- General anesthesia: You either get drugs intravenously or inhale gas through a mask. You may not wake up for about an hour after surgery.
After the anesthesia takes effect, the extraction begins. You will feel some pressure just before the tooth is extracted, as the surgeon will need to expand the tooth socket by rocking the tooth.
Sometimes, it is necessary to make a small cut in the gum, or the tooth may need to be cut into smaller pieces before removing it.
If so, they will stitch the wounds to help them heal sooner. These stitches usually dissolve after a couple of days. They may also put pieces of gauze in your mouth to absorb the blood. As for the time the procedure takes, wisdom tooth extraction usually takes an hour.
What Should You Do After Wisdom Teeth Extraction?
You won’t be without guidance; your dentist will give you post-operative instructions for your condition. Following them will help you manage bleeding, swelling, and pain after your procedure.
Here are some of them:
- Do not drink through a straw. Sucking may break up blood clots.
- Do not wash your mouth too harshly. Your doctor may also suggest gently rinsing with salt water.
- Do not eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that may irritate your wounds.
- Do not smoke. Smoking can slow the healing process.
- Leave the gauze in place for about 30 minutes after surgery. If necessary, replace it with a clean one.
- Take all prescribed medications. Your dentist will give you medications to reduce the risk of infection. Do not stop taking them until your dentist agrees to do so.
- Use an ice pack on your face to reduce skin color changes or swelling.
Are There Any Alternatives to This Procedure?
Not really, but simple painkillers can control the mild pain caused by wisdom teeth. Antibiotics, hot and saltwater rinses, or chlorhexidine mouthwash can also help if the area around the wisdom tooth becomes infected.
If your wisdom tooth has partially erupted, the best orthodontist in Dubai might recommend removing the gum above your tooth (phlebotomy) in certain cases.
Plus, If the root of your tooth lies near the nerve that gives sensation to your lower lip, removing just the crown of your tooth (coronectomy) is possible.
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