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WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL : Things You Should Know Before Tooth Extraction

When we think about Wisdom teeth Removal, most of us see questions hovering over our mind like –

  • Is it the right age for me to get my wisdom teeth removed?
  • How would I cope with all the pain associated with extraction?
  • How much would it cost to get my wisdom teeth extracted?

In this advanced age of dentistry, one thing is sure that it has made all the tedious processes so simple and smooth that we can’t afford to worry that much while thinking about a common dental procedure like wisdom teeth removal.

Wisdom-tooth-extraction-a lady with shown with extracted wisdom tooth

We have types of Anesthesia and sedation techniques to make sure you don’t feel any pain and a good dental clinic – like Crossroads Dental Clinic Dubai– also provides you aftercare to make it a rich experience at an affordable cost.

All that being said, so many folk tales and pre conceived fear about this is there in people that we at Crossroads tried to educate you through this article.

So let’s understand about wisdom teeth and its removal(extraction).

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth or third molars are the teeth furthest away in the dental arches and they usually are the last ones to erupt, normally between age 18-22.

Wisdom teeth and teeth impaction

When they have not completed their eruption at that time and are completely submerged under the gum those teeth are called “impacted”, if they are only partially covered by the gum “semi-impacted”.

Impacted wisdom teeth image is shown
Impaction-wisdom-teeth
Impacted-wisdom-teeth-gums

The extraction of third molars that are “symptomatic” is generally recommended, this means in cases where they cause pain, infections, damage to other teeth or if they are related with other pathologies like cysts and tumours.

The reason behind impaction of wisdom teeth, why some wisdom teeth are impacted, is not an such an easy question to answer. Generally a primary cause simply seems to be a condition of inadequate jawbone space behind a person’s second molar.

But why this lack of space exists is not yet fully understood.But there does seem to be a correlation between large tooth size and/or the presence of tooth crowding and having impacted wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth and removed wisdom teeth are shown

Pericoronitis

One of the most common clinical problems associated with third molars is “acute pericoronitis”. Its symptoms are sharp or throbbing pain, redness, swelling and/or purulence associated with the erupting tooth.

Additional symptoms may include limitation of mouth opening, dysphagia (difficulty to swallow), fever and lymphadenitis (swollen nodes). Pericoronitis occurs most of the times in molars that start erupting but remain partially capsuled by the bone or the gum, both of which retain bacteria preventing proper oral hygiene, resulting in inflammation and infection.

Damage to nearby teeth :

Decay

Decay can form on any tooth surface where dental plaque remains for extended periods of time. If the positioning of a wisdom tooth is such that it’s difficult to clean (which is frequently the case), it will be at increased risk of cavity formation in the adjacent teeth.

Even in cases where the decay is in the third molar and a filling could be successfully placed, if the wisdom tooth still cannot be adequately maintained and its surface kept plaque , it will run the risk of developing “recurrent decay”. This simply means that a new cavity has formed on an area of a tooth adjacent to an existing filling.

For the reasons above, once a cavity has formed on a wisdom tooth it’s generally advisable to simply extract it.

Root resorption

In some cases, depending on the position and angulation of “impacted” third molars, these become responsible for root resorptions (vanishing) of the adjacent second molars. The prognosis in these cases is bad and the patient may in the end lose more teeth.

Alterations of eruption process

Eruption-wisdom-teeth
Supra-eruption:

A tooth may supra erupt beyond the level of the neighbouring teeth if there is no supporting tooth opposing it. In this case the upper wisdom tooth supra erupts and erodes into the soft tissues of the mouth causing damage to the gum and infections.

Mal-erupt:

An impacted third molar may affect the normal eruption of an adjacent tooth. In some cases the permanent second molar’s eruption is adversely affected by the impacted third molar behind it, requiring the removal of both the third molar and the second molar.

Cyst and Tumors :

All teeth form within a sack and occasionally this sack can expand and grow resulting in a cyst formation around the wisdom tooth. Over time, this cyst can become larger and cause damage in the bone and other anatomical structures. The third molar also can be related in few cases with the formation of tumours in the jaws.

Recommendations :

It is very important to consider that every patient and every case are unique. The decision regarding removing a wisdom tooth or not must consider:

• Detailed assessment of signs and symptoms.
• Careful examination of the oral cavity
• Radiographic examination with X-rays or a CT scan.
• Reach an accurate diagnosis.
• Good communication between patient, dentist, and oral and surgeon.
• A balanced discussion of the benefits and risks of retaining the third molar versus benefits and risks of removing it with surgery.

A Few FAQs About Wisdom Teeth Removal

So what are the reasons wisdom teeth may need to be removed?

  • you may have a badly broken tooth.
  • you may have a decay condition that cannot be restored.
  • you may have formation of a cyst.
  • Infection around a wisdom tooth that is partially erupted.
  • For prosthetic or orthodontic reasons.
  • You may have decay of an adjoining tooth caused by a wisdom tooth.

Why are wisdom teeth considered so tough to be removed?

That is because the jawbone in the area is very dense, and teeth there may have multiple roots. In some cases, the wisdom teeth may even be covered partially by jaw bone and gum.

About Author:

Crossroads Dental Clinic is one of the most modern clinics in Dubai and the best dental clinic in Deira having highly experienced and professional dentists. Our services include from Orthodontics to modern cosmetic dentistry like Wisdom teeth removal, braces, veneers, dental implants and Invisalign dentist services. Looking for the best dentist in Dubai for your dental concerns? Well, you found us now. Visit our Clinic near Deira City Centre and we make sure you get a world-class and painless dentist experience at the best cost in Dubai.

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