Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are located far in the back of the mouth, and typically begin surfacing in the teenaged years. These teeth are the largest of all the teeth in the mouth and, as a result, they are among the hardest for the body to accommodate.
Tooth Trouble
While some patients may find their wisdom teeth emerge without complications, many wisdom teeth are extracted due to complications arising from the lack of space available to them. These teeth have large root systems that run deep into the jaw and up toward the sinus cavity. When the tooth tries to emerge from the gums and gets stuck, we call this an impacted tooth, and it may need to be removed.
The tooth may remain primary in the bone tissue without moving through the gum tissue or it may partially erupt through the gums. In the latter case, infection may become chronic as food and bacteria are pushed under broken gum tissue.
Wisdom teeth may impact neighbouring teeth by displacing them or eroding their roots if they remain in the mouth and are known to develop dentigerous cysts at the tips of their roots. These cysts are damaging to the tissues and teeth that surround them, and they are not detectable without the use of Xray. These cysts are often symptom-free, which may result in late diagnosis and treatment.
Being way at the back of the mouth means that wisdom teeth are susceptible to cavities since they are difficult to clean effectively. If you are experiencing pain when opening or closing the mouth, a foul taste that won’t go away or swelling of the jaw or gum tissues, it is important to see your dentist to determine the cause. Dental infections can be serious and should be treated as soon as possible.
Looking to get in touch?
Lotus Dental Wellness is always happy to accept new patients, from individuals to families to people just visiting the area. We also offer Emergency Same-Day Appointments for those experiencing dental emergencies. Lotus Dental Wellness follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide and offer direct billing for convenience. We look forward to seeing your smile!
Extraction
If you and your dentist decide it’s best to extract one or more of your wisdom teeth, your dentist will make a determination about whether the procedure can be performed in-clinic. In most cases, the wisdom teeth are removed using local anesthesia. In complex cases where the roots extend too close to the sinuses or are wrapped around an important nerve, you may be referred to a specialist.
Recovery
Once your tooth has been extracted, your blood will clot over the nerve to offer it protection. This clot is an important part of comfortable recovery and must be protected by avoiding any sucking on straws or smoking that could displace it. If the clot is lost, the nerve of the tooth is exposed, and you will require a dental appointment to have the socket cleaned and packed. This painful condition is known as ‘dry socket’. Your dentist will provide you with pain medications which should be taken only as directed in the days following your extraction.
Since the mouth typically heals quickly, you will be back to enjoying your favourite foods before you know it. To support the healing process, your dentist will recommend that you eat only liquids, such as broth, in the days immediately following the extraction procedure. As the mouth heals, you may graduate to pudding and jello and continue to increase the complexity of textures until you are able to chew harder, crunchier foods.
If you have questions about this or other services offered by our general dentist, contact our clinic today.