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Wisdom Teeth Removal PDF  | Print |  E-mail

What to expect from surgery?

Before surgery, Dr. Hughes will discuss with you what to expect. This is a good time to ask questions or express your
concerns. It is especially important to let him know about any illnesses you have and medications you are taking.

The relative ease with which a wisdom tooth may be removed depends on several conditions, including the position of the tooth and root development. Impacted wisdom teeth may require a more involved surgical procedure.

Wisdom tooth extractions can be performed under local anesthesia, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.

What to expect after surgery?

Following surgery, you may experience some swelling and mild discomfort, which are part of the normal healing process. Cold compresses may help decrease the swelling, and we may choose to perscribe medication that can help manage the discomfort. We may instruct you to modify your diet following surgery and later progress to more normal foods.

Why would I need my Wisdom teeth out?

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to erupt in your mouth. This generally occurs between the ages of 17 and 25, a time of life that has been called the "Age of Wisdom."

Anthropologists note that the rough diet of early humans resulted in the excessive wear of their teeth. Normal drifting of the
teeth to compensate for this wear ensured that space was available for most wisdom teeth to erupt by adolescence.
The modern diet, which is much softer, and the popularity of orthodontic tooth straightening procedures produce a fuller dental arch, which quite commonly doesn't leave room for the wisdom teeth to erupt, thereby setting the stage for problems when the final four molars enter the mouth.

What is an impacted tooth?

A tooth becomes impacted when there is a lack of space in the dental arch and its growth and eruption are prevented by
overlying gum, bone or another tooth.

How serious is an impacted tooth?

Impacted teeth can be painful and lead to infection.They may also crowd or damage adjacent teeth or roots.

More serious problems may occur if the sac surrounding the impacted tooth becomes filled with fluid and enlarges to form a cyst. As the cyst grows it may hollow out the jaw and permanently damage adjacent teeth, the surrounding bone and nerves. Rarely, if a cyst is not treated, a tumor may develop from its walls and a more serious surgical procedure may be required to remove it.

Despite the considerable concern regarding impacted third molars, a recent study sponsored by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation finds that third molars which have broken through the tissue and erupted into the mouth in a normal, upright position may be as prone to disease as those third molars that remain impacted.

Content provided by American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

 

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