Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Extracting impacted wisdom teeth is much easier today compared to the past, thanks to current oral, dental, and maxillofacial surgery techniques. Modern medical technologies and developing new methods enable dentists to perform operations much more easily and successfully, while also minimizing the risk of potential complications that may arise after the operation. After an impacted wisdom tooth extraction, individuals can resume their normal lives. Specialist Dentist Emin Serhat Arıkan, who serves patients in Adana, explained what impacted wisdom tooth extraction is and how it is performed.

What is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?

Apart from wisdom teeth (also known as 20-year-old teeth), all permanent teeth are completed and take their place in the mouth during childhood. The four wisdom teeth in total begin to erupt during adulthood. Depending on the individual's jaw structure and the size of the tooth in question, wisdom teeth can sometimes erupt easily, while at other times they complete their eruption over a long period. In some cases, the tooth, or a part of it, remains impacted in the jaw. There can be numerous reasons for impacted wisdom teeth. If we need to list the problems that may arise when wisdom teeth remain impacted:

• Adverse effects on jaw structure
• Orthodontic disorders and decay that may occur in other adjacent teeth
• Regular abscess formation, inflammation in tooth roots and gums due to wisdom teeth
• Bad breath
• Headache
• Swelling in lymph nodes
• Development of sensitivity in the gums
• Toothache
• Headache

When wisdom teeth begin to erupt, it is necessary to consult a dentist and keep the course of these teeth under control. Not every impacted wisdom tooth needs to be extracted. If the patient's jaw structure is suitable, the dentist can achieve results with different treatment methods. The aim here is to ensure the wisdom tooth erupts more comfortably. There is a risk of decay in teeth remaining impacted in the jaw and seemingly unable to erupt, as well as in other neighboring teeth around them. These teeth must be extracted using appropriate surgical methods.

How is Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction Performed?

In individuals whose jaw structure is not suitable for the growth and development of the wisdom tooth, the impacted wisdom tooth needs to be surgically extracted. The extraction of impacted wisdom teeth is not as frightening an operation as it might seem. Treatment planning is carried out according to how much of the tooth is impacted and its position in the mouth. Diagnosis and treatment methods for impacted wisdom tooth extraction are determined specifically for each patient. If a large part of the tooth has erupted and a small part remains impacted, your dentist may deem it appropriate to extract the tooth without surgery.

Impacted Wisdom Tooth Surgery

If the tooth is too impacted to erupt and is entirely embedded in the jawbone, or if its angle is not suitable for eruption, this impacted wisdom tooth needs to be surgically removed by an oral, dental, and maxillofacial surgeon. Before the surgery, your doctor will comprehensively evaluate the condition of your tooth by performing some blood tests and using imaging technologies. If deemed necessary, antibiotic treatment will be applied. It is necessary to wait until the antibiotic treatment is finished before the surgery. Impacted wisdom tooth extraction should be performed under clinical conditions by specialist dentists and their assistants. The root of the wisdom tooth in question needs to be numbed with an injection and then extracted. Before applying anesthesia with an injection, a spray-form anesthetic is applied to ensure the patient does not feel the needle injection. The surgery can be completed in a short time under the effect of local anesthesia. During the operation, the gum covering the impacted tooth is incised, and the tooth is removed. Afterward, the opened area is closed with sutures. After wisdom tooth extraction, whether surgical or non-surgical, patients do not feel any pain and can return home comfortably.

After Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction

After impacted wisdom tooth extraction surgery, the patient may feel slight swelling in their mouth for a while. The treated area may sometimes ache. This is considered a normal situation. After an impacted wisdom tooth extraction, the patient should not eat or drink anything for two hours. Furthermore, it is beneficial to stay away from alcoholic beverages and smoking for a few days. Extremely cold or hot foods and acidic drinks should not be consumed for the period specified by your doctor. Such foods and drinks can have a stimulating effect and harm your healing process. After impacted wisdom tooth surgery, the sutures dissolve over time, and healing is completed. After impacted wisdom tooth extraction, your specialist dentist will provide you with specific warnings. Following these warnings and recommendations supports your healing process. If you feel pain, you can control these complaints with the painkillers recommended by your doctor.

Those Who Have Had Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Individuals who undergo impacted wisdom tooth extraction may experience temporary side effects such as swelling and pain. However, this operation positively affects oral health in the long run. The pressure caused by wisdom teeth on other teeth decreases, which also reduces the risk of tooth decay. Sometimes, deformities caused by the crowding due to wisdom teeth may also improve over time.

Should All Impacted Wisdom Teeth Be Extracted?

Not all impacted teeth need to be extracted. The doctor makes the decision to extract an impacted tooth based on the patient's jaw structure and individual circumstances. If the impacted wisdom tooth is in a position where it can damage other surrounding teeth and gums, the tooth needs to be extracted. Leaving a wisdom tooth with a harmful position in the mouth can lead to the formation of decay, tumors, or cysts in the long run.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Erupt Late or Remain Impacted?

Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to erupt. Due to various reasons, wisdom teeth that cannot find enough space in the mouth sometimes fail to erupt. If its angle and position are not suitable, the wisdom tooth remains impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth, a very common health problem, sometimes emerge later. The tooth finds the opportunity to expand and erupt after space is created in the jaw.

What is the Purpose of Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth assist in chewing function. These teeth, especially in ancient times, helped in grinding hard meats and other tough foods, hence they are called wisdom teeth. From the shedding of milk teeth, 28 permanent teeth erupt during childhood. In people over twenty years old, the jaw expands slightly more. Space is created for four wisdom teeth. If there is enough space in the mouth, the impacted wisdom teeth begin to erupt.

Are There Any Harms or Side Effects of Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

There are no harms or permanent side effects associated with the extraction of wisdom teeth. After the wisdom teeth, which assist in the food grinding process, are extracted, you can continue your life without experiencing any deficiencies.

How Long Does It Take to Recover After Wisdom Tooth Surgery?

After wisdom tooth surgery, patients may experience some mild complications. After taking the necessary precautions and completing treatments, the healing process is completed in a relatively short time. The recovery period may vary depending on the surgical area. To prevent this period from extending, the doctor's recommendations should be followed, excessively hard foods should be avoided, and contact with the surgical area should be prevented.

Which Department Should I Go to for Impacted Wisdom Tooth Surgery?

The treatment of an impacted wisdom tooth embedded in the jaw is performed by a dentist specializing in oral, dental, and maxillofacial surgery.

Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction Prices

Impacted wisdom tooth extraction prices are more costly compared to non-impacted tooth extractions. Treatment prices often vary according to the difficulty level of the extraction, the clinic's equipment, and the dentist's expertise and experience. To get up-to-date and clear information about impacted wisdom tooth extraction prices, you can contact Specialist Dentist Emin Serhat Arıkan, who serves patients in Adana.