Wisdom teeth are third molars typically appearing at the back of your mouth. They usually develop during your late teenage years or even in your early twenties. In most cases, the third molars are perfectly aligned and are healthy. But, at times, they can be misaligned, and rotated horizontally, causing pain, infection, and discomfort.
The dental practice in Hailey advises removal of the wisdom tooth in such instances to prevent the harmful impact of infection, impaction, or discomfort.
What is wisdom teeth removal surgery?
Wisdom tooth removal surgery is performed by dental specialists known as oral surgeons to remove a damaged, decayed, impacted, or misaligned wisdom tooth using special extraction instruments. By removing the wisdom tooth, you can prevent damage to the surrounding teeth.
Why is wisdom tooth extraction required?
Extraction becomes necessary for the following reasons:
- One or more impacted (tooth that is partially or fully trapped in your gums or alveolar bone) wisdom teeth
- Crooked wisdom teeth
- Wisdom teeth growing sideways
- Severe pain near the back of your mouth
- Trapped food and debris around the wisdom teeth increase the risk of plaque and bacterial accumulation
- Gum disease
- Dental decay or caries
- The presence of a cyst (fluid-filled pouch) around the molar
How is the extraction performed?
Here are the general steps to performing a wisdom tooth removal extraction:
Numbing the area around the affected tooth
- Your surgeon will start numbing your tooth with the help of a local anesthetic delivered by injection.
Raising a gum flap
- Using a scalpel, the surgeon will make a small incision (cut) on the gum tissue to better expose the wisdom tooth.
Bone resection
- A high-speed drill will be used to cut or resect the bone to expose the wisdom tooth (especially for the impacted tooth).
Tooth loosening and sectioning
- Once the wisdom tooth is fully exposed, various surgical instruments will be used to gently loosen it from the connective tissue in the tooth’s socket.
- The surgeon may cut the tooth into sections for easier removal.
Tooth extraction
Once the wisdom tooth is loosened and sectioned, the surgeon will use instruments specially designed to extract the tooth.
Wound closure
- Stitches or sutures will be used to close the wound.
- Often surgeons use dissolvable stitches that do not require removal.
Final note
Wisdom tooth removal surgery is a common dental procedure that is performed under mild anesthesia. This can greatly prevent painful symptoms of damaged and misaligned wisdom teeth, thereby enhancing your quality of oral health.
