Wisdom teeth grow at the back of your gums and are the last teeth to develop. As long as your wisdom teeth are healthy, you don’t have anything to worry about. However, your wisdom tooth may not have adequate space to grow, which leads to complications.
Not to mention, watching your friends and family members come back with swollen mouths and strict diet plans is sure to leave you skeptical. Chances are, you don’t want to undergo surgery. Here we discuss issues your growing wisdom tooth may cause, as well as how you can get rid of the pain:
What Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Lead to?
Wisdom teeth are the third molars, behind your other molars at the back of the mouth. They usually emerge between ages 17 and 21, often in the late teens or early twenties, and not everyone develops them. If you are unsure whether you have wisdom teeth at all, a dental exam and X‑rays can help confirm it. More often than not, people’s mouths do not have enough room for them to grow in properly, which can affect oral health and lead to dental problems. Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, and if they come in crooked, they can interfere with orthodontic work.
- If your mouth doesn’t have enough space to accommodate your wisdom teeth, they may end up crowding or damaging other teeth. It may lead to misaligned biting and other issues caused by impacted wisdom teeth.
- In case your wisdom teeth are unable to develop properly, the edges may start trapping food and bacteria around them.
- There’s a slight chance your wisdom teeth may be unable to emerge appropriately. Here the teeth end up getting trapped within your lower jaw. In turn, you may have to deal with painful cysts that damage bone support.
- The lack of proper growth causes food to stick between adjacent teeth. Thus, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
- The tissues present around your wisdom tooth may start swelling. Moreover, it becomes hard to clean.
- Complications with your wisdom teeth may lead to further issues with pressure, sinuses, and congestion.
- There’s also the risk of developing gum disease.
- Misalignment and crowded teeth may make it vital for you to get treatment to straighten your teeth.
How Do Oral Surgeons Perform Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery?
It’s not always clear whether you need to remove wisdom teeth or not, or what the best age to remove wisdom teeth might be. In fact, antiseptic mouthwash or antibiotics can treat a majority of the above-mentioned conditions. If those options do not help, reach out to your oral surgeon or dentist and schedule an appointment.
Before your doctor starts performing surgery, they’ll explain the tooth removal process in full so you can give informed consent, and you may also discuss why having an oral surgeon perform extractions can be beneficial.
Next, you’ll receive local anesthesia to numb the area around the wisdom tooth, so you should not feel pain beyond some pressure as the tooth socket is widened. In more complex cases, general anesthesia may be discussed, similar to the options offered for wisdom teeth removal in St. George, UT.
In special cases, your doctor has to make a small cut in the gum tissue to ease the removal process, and a small piece of bone covering the tooth may also need to be removed. They may also take it out by cutting it into smaller pieces, which is especially important for patients such as missionaries preparing for wisdom teeth removal who want to avoid problems while away from home.
Typically, the process lasts from a few seconds to 20 minutes. Afterward, mild swelling and discomfort are common, but in most cases symptoms improve over time. Following the dentist’s instructions, using medication to ease pain, and choosing soft foods can help reduce pain during the healing process. Protecting the blood clot is also important because losing it can lead to dry socket. If you notice signs of infection or numbness that could suggest nerve damage, contact the office and arrange a follow-up appointment. Temporary nerve symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, and many patients go on to consider additional oral surgery procedures to further restore function or aesthetics if needed.
When to See Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons?
More often than not, patients will tell oral surgeons they experience little to no pain to avoid getting the wisdom teeth removed. However, leaving your teeth untreated after a specialist’s recommendation may lead to painful repercussions in the near future, and that timing often depends on a few factors, especially for teenagers who may need to be evaluated for wisdom teeth extraction. Severe pain is one sign you should not ignore when deciding whether to seek prompt care.
All in all, deciding whether you should remove your wisdom tooth or not isn’t very easy, especially without consulting a professional, and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons is one American Association patients often look to for guidance. Dentists and oral surgeons may also recommend X-rays and evaluation to remove impacted wisdom teeth before they cause future complications. That’s why it’s always best to reach out to your oral surgeon, whether you need oral surgery in Mesquite, NV or are seeking oral surgery in St. George, UT.
Wisdom teeth removal costs vary based on several factors, including how many wisdom teeth are being removed and whether the teeth are impacted, and costs may increase when multiple teeth are extracted. The average cost ranges from $75 to $600, and dental insurance may cover part of the cost. Serious complications are rare, occurring in less than 1 in 10,000 cases.
Ready to extract your wisdom tooth and accentuate your beautiful smile? Then venture into our website and schedule an appointment today!