Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to come in, typically appearing in late adolescence or early adulthood. While some people experience no issues with their wisdom teeth, others encounter complications, including pain and discomfort. Many times, when this happens, those teeth need to come out.
However, it’s understandable to wonder if every wisdom tooth extraction requires surgery. To help prepare you for this procedure, Clover Park Dental’s dentist in Surrey delves into wisdom tooth removal below. Learn when and why we might opt for oral surgery to remove those troublesome third molars.
When Surgery Is Necessary
Not all wisdom tooth extractions require surgery. That said, surgical intervention might be necessary under certain conditions:
- Severe Impaction: When a wisdom tooth is deeply embedded in the jawbone, we may need to perform a surgical extraction to remove it safely.
- Infection or Decay: Sometimes, when wisdom teeth get stuck, they cause infection or severe decay. If so, surgery may be needed to prevent further complications.
- Damage to Neighbouring Teeth: A misaligned wisdom tooth can damage adjacent teeth as it comes in, requiring surgical extraction to protect those nearby teeth.
Put simply, impacted teeth are often the main reason we opt to remove these molars, but what does that mean?
What Exactly Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Sometimes, your third molars don’t have enough space to emerge or develop normally. This is because your wisdom teeth are a remnant from our ancestors. They needed more chewing power to eat tougher foods, meaning they needed larger jaws and those extra molars. Now, since we eat softer foods, we have smaller jaws, but those molars have stuck around.
Because some people have smaller mouths and jaws, wisdom teeth can end up growing in at an angle, pressing against adjacent teeth, or remaining trapped within the jawbone. That’s when they become impacted.
Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Common symptoms associated with impacted wisdom teeth include:
- Persistent pain or tenderness in the back of the mouth
- Swelling around the gums or jaw
- Difficulty opening the mouth fully
- Unpleasant taste or odour in the mouth
- Red or swollen gums
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, reach out to our dentist in Surrey. The team at Clover Park Dental can take a look at your wisdom teeth and jaw and discuss your options.
When Surgery May Not Be Required
All that being said, in some cases, wisdom teeth can be extracted without surgery. This typically applies to wisdom teeth that have:
- Fully erupted and are positioned correctly
- Minimal or no impaction
- No signs of infection or decay
Of course, if your wisdom teeth are coming in okay, we might not remove them at all. It depends on several factors. That’s why we recommend you visit a dentist.
Even your regular dental checkups and cleanings give us a chance to monitor how your third molars are coming in. This can help us decide if you need an extraction and, if so, what kind.
The Wisdom Tooth Extraction Process
Initial Assessment
Our dentist in Surrey may take dental X-rays and other imaging to get an idea of the position and condition of your wisdom teeth. Based on what we find, we’ll talk with you and decide whether a simple extraction or a surgical procedure is necessary, if at all.
- Simple Extraction: This involves numbing the area with local anesthesia and using dental instruments to gently loosen and remove the tooth.
- Surgical Extraction: After using local anesthesia, we make an incision in the gum to access the tooth. In some cases, the tooth may need to be divided into smaller sections for easier removal.
Recovery and Aftercare
After a wisdom tooth extraction, whether simple or surgical, proper aftercare is crucial to get you on the road to recovery. Here are some key points:
- Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribed medications can help manage discomfort.
- Oral Hygiene: Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water to keep the extraction site clean and prevent infection.
- Dietary Adjustments: Stick to soft foods and don’t chew near the extraction site. Avoid straws to prevent dislodging the clot in the extraction site.
- Follow-Up Appointments: Attend any scheduled follow-up visits with our team to monitor healing progress.
Which Do You Need? Find Out with an Appointment
Are your wisdom teeth bothering you? Not sure how well they’re coming in? Our dentist in Surrey can help shed some light on your condition as well as your options. Book a wisdom tooth consultation at Clover Park Dental today to get a jump on your third molar care.
