We are talking about a surgery that consists in the literal removal of one or more wisdom teeth (the so-called third molars) from the mouth. Today, the extraction of a wisdom tooth is on the list of routine dental interventions; therefore, the experience gained by a physician in performing such dental operations should immediately reassure the patient.
In the course of the article we will try to understand why it is advantageous to undergo a wisdom tooth extraction even in the absence of pathologies in progress. Next, we will describe how to prepare for a third molar extraction, what the surgery consists of, and what risks and complications are involved.
Let us briefly remember that the third molars, absent in the dentition of the newborn, begin between 18 and 25 years (not surprisingly, they are called wisdom teeth), an "age in which all the dental elements are placed in a precise position. The impetuousness with which the wisdom teeth erupt from the gums could cause toothache, dental crowding and many other ailments, such as to require a tooth extraction.
and crooked teeth. Furthermore, an early extraction of wisdom teeth (immediately after their extrusion from the gum) may be recommended by the dentist to limit any risks and complications that may arise when removing a third molar already fully formed during adulthood.For therapeutic purposes, however, the "extraction of wisdom teeth is inevitable in the following circumstances:
- Dental crowding: this condition requires the extraction of wisdom teeth as it can make daily dental cleaning difficult or interfere with normal chewing.
- Corrosion of the adjacent tooth: a wisdom tooth, still included in the gum, pushes strongly against the roots of the adjacent tooth, creating inflammation and pain that require an "extraction
- Severe tooth infection, caries, pulpitis, dental abscess or wisdom tooth granuloma: in these cases, the removal of the infected tooth is the only suitable solution. A "filling or devitalization would, on the other hand, be unnecessary interventions for a tooth. of judgment
- Dental inclusion: the wisdom tooth is blocked in its path of growth and development by the gum, remaining trapped inside the mandibular or maxillary bone. This condition exposes the tooth to the risk of infections, cavities, dental abscesses and cysts
- Gum inflammation caused by the misplacement of a wisdom tooth
- Chronic toothache, caused by the pressure exerted by the wisdom tooth on adjacent teeth
- Dental pericoronitis: a partially erupted wisdom tooth can give rise to a very annoying and painful acute gingival inflammation
- A broken or chipped wisdom tooth
etc.)
The specialist examination of the oral cavity supported by the radiographic study allows the doctor to evaluate with absolute precision the position and health of the wisdom tooth: in this way, it is possible to understand whether the tooth to be removed is pathological or not.
- The patient must be made aware of all the risks and complications that could occur after the extraction of a wisdom tooth.
The extraction of a third molar can give rise to post-surgery pain, small bleeding, alter the position of the adjacent teeth and temporarily reduce the chewing capacity.
Before proceeding with the operation, it is necessary - as well as essential - to always address all doubts, concerns and uncertainties to the dentist. It is recommended to always inform the doctor in the presence of allergies to drugs or materials (eg allergy to latex , nickel allergy), illnesses (past or current) and a possible pregnancy (presumed or current pregnancy). Also, it is equally important to tell your dentist if you are taking any medications to treat a given disease.
Still, some dentists even prescribe a prophylactic antibiotic treatment (BEFORE dental extraction) to reduce the risk of infection (especially if the wisdom tooth extraction operation is particularly invasive or complex).
require surgery under general anesthesia.
As soon as the anesthetic begins to act, the doctor proceeds with the extraction of the wisdom tooth using special surgical instruments. If the wisdom tooth is still stuck in the bone (including the tooth), the extraction must be preceded by the gum incision.
Lower wisdom teeth are typically more difficult to remove, particularly if they are still embedded in the mandible. In such circumstances, the tooth is usually cut into several pieces to facilitate avulsion. After the wisdom tooth has been extracted, a few stitches may be applied to limit bleeding as much as possible.
- Pain: it can persist even for a few days
- Edema / Swelling (duration 1-7 days)
- Gingival bleeding (duration max. 24 hours)
- Post-extraction alveolitis (3-4 days after surgery)
- Infection
- Tooth abscess
- Injury to the roots of teeth close to the wisdom tooth
- Temporary loss of sensation of the lip and tongue
Even any morbid conditions can heavily affect the post-dental extraction course: patients affected by systemic diseases (eg diabetes, autoimmune diseases, chronic renal failure, etc.), as well as subjects undergoing chemo / radiotherapy or who must take corticosteroid drugs , they may have significant recovery difficulties after a wisdom tooth has been extracted.
After the avulsion surgery, swelling - often associated with small hematomas - is a rather frequent eventuality; the edema, however, tends to resolve itself in a short time (1-3 days). Within certain limits, gingival bleeding is also considered a normal post-extraction complication: when it is mild, the bleeding resolves within 24 hours of surgery.
Gingival swelling and bleeding after wisdom tooth extraction is often accompanied by pain, which reaches its peak when the effect of the anesthesia wears off. Taking a pain reliever (eg ibuprofen) before the effect of the anesthetic wears off is extremely important in masking or reducing pain.
Infections are also generally a fairly common risk after the extraction of a wisdom tooth; among these, a prominent role is played by alveolitis, or the "infection of the" alveolus (the bony cavity where the roots of the teeth are housed). ) and to the dental abscess.
In rarer cases, the extraction of a wisdom tooth (especially if included) can give rise to the formation of cysts, rounded cavities that progressively expand into the bone, destroying it.
In the event that, during the extraction of a wisdom tooth, the roots of the molars (adjacent to the extracted tooth) are injured or damaged, the patient can face complications. Among these, the most common is undoubtedly the temporary loss of sensation of the lip or tongue (on the side where the wisdom tooth was extracted).
Other articles on "Wisdom Teeth Extraction"
- Wisdom teeth
- After the extraction of a wisdom tooth
