WISDOM TOOTH
Wisdom tooth/teeth are the last permanent teeth to erupt in our oral cavity. It takes the name of wisdom tooth as the age of eruption of this tooth is 17 to 25 years old which is the time when one supposedly gain wisdom. While some people experience no issues with their wisdom teeth, many others face complications that necessitate professional dental care.
At Smile Doctor Dental Clinic in Ara Damansara, we provide comprehensive wisdom tooth treatments to address these problems effectively.
Why does wisdom teeth hurt?
As wisdom teeth are the last teeth to grow, there usually isn’t enough space for it to erupt especially when the jaw is small and narrow. As a result, the teeth are stuck in the jaw and become impacted. It may be impacted in several different positions and is often not accessible with a toothbrush.
Overtime, food is accumulated around the partially erupted tooth causing gum infections and tooth decay. If left untreated, these teeth may cause problems on healthy adjacent teeth resulting in the need for root canal treatment or possibly extraction.
When to remove wisdom teeth?
The decision of whether to remove a wisdom tooth depends on the tooth position. If the tooth erupts perfectly straight, it can function like a normal tooth and does not need extraction. However in the following few scenarios, it is advisable to remove your wisdom tooth:
Infection
Partially erupted wisdom teeth can create pockets where bacteria can thrive, leading to infections and gum disease. Recurrent gum swelling and infection around the tooth is one of the signs to remove the wisdom tooth.
Food impaction
When there isn’t enough space for the wisdom teeth to emerge, they can become impacted, growing at an angle and pushing against other teeth. Food tend to get stuck at these area and are often impossible to clean.
Tooth decay
Due to their position at the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth are harder to clean, making them more susceptible to decay and cavities.
Ulceration of cheek
Constant friction or cheeck biting due to the malaligned wisdom teeth
Crowding of teeth
Emerging wisdom teeth can cause crowding of existing teeth, disrupting the alignment of your smile.
Cyst or tumour
In rare cases, impacted wisdom teeth can cause cysts or tumors, which can damage the jawbone and surrounding teeth.
Wisdom tooth surgery & complications
Wisdom tooth surgery can be done under local anaesthesia or general anesthesia if all 4 wisdom teeth are removed at the same time.
It is important to know some of the common risk and complications involving the wisdom tooth extraction or surgery.
Pain and swelling
Prolonged bleeding
Infection or dry socket
Nerve injury causing numbness
Sinus perforation for upper wisdom teeth
Jaw stiffness
Damage to adjacent teeth or filling
Recovery time and Post operative care
Pain Management
Use prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers as directed to manage discomfort.
Swelling Reduction
Apply ice packs to your face intermittently during the first 24 hours to reduce swelling.
Diet
Stick to soft foods and avoid hot, spicy, or chewy foods that can irritate the extraction site.
Oral Hygiene
Keep your mouth clean by gently rinsing with warm salt water, but avoid brushing the extraction site for the first few days.
Rest
Get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activities to promote healing.
Follow-Up
Attend any scheduled follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and address any concerns.
FAQ for wisdom tooth removal
Common signs include pain, swelling, infection around the gums, difficulty opening your mouth, and damage to other teeth. A dentist can assess your situation with an examination and X-rays.
It involves numbing the area with local anesthesia and incision is made in the gum. After accessing the bone coverage, excess bone is trimmed to make space for the removal of the tooth.
Most of the time the tooth will be split into sections to allow easy removal of the tooth fragments. Stitches will be used to close the incision after thorough disinfection.
The procedure itself is not painful due to the use of anesthesia. However in some cases where there is an ongoing infection, it might require more anesthesia to completely numb the area.
Some discomfort and swelling can occur after the surgery, but this is manageable with prescribed pain relievers and proper post-operative care.
Recovery usually takes about 1 to 2 weeks. Initial healing occurs in the first few days with swelling that will be worst on the 3rd day and slowly subside after 1 week. Complete recovery and the closing of the extraction site may take a few weeks.
You may experience swelling, mild pain, and some bleeding. Following the dentist’s post-operative care instructions, such as resting, applying ice packs, and maintaining oral hygiene, can help speed up recovery.
A dry socket occurs when the blood clot at the extraction site dislodges, exposing bone and nerves. This can be prevented by avoiding activities that can disrupt the clot, such as drinking through a straw, smoking, and vigorous rinsing.
For the first few days, stick to soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies. Avoid hot, spicy, crunchy, and hard foods that can irritate the extraction site.
After the first 24 hours, you should keep the area clean by gently rinsing with warm salt water after meals and avoiding brushing directly over the extraction site for a few days. Follow your dentist’s specific care instructions to ensure proper healing.
While complications are rare, they can include infection, dry socket, nerve damage, and sinus issues. Your dentist will discuss these risks with you before the procedure.
The cost can vary depending on the complexity of the extraction and whether it is performed by a dentist or oral surgeon. A normal extraction will cost approximately RM180-300. A wisdom tooth surgery will cost approximately RM1000-2000.