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 individuals, the third molars are perfectly aligned and are healthy. But, sometimes, the wisdom teeth can be misaligned, rotating horizontally, causing pain and infection.
In such instances, the dentist in Plainville, Massachusetts, and their team deem wisdom tooth removal necessary. This can greatly prevent harmful impacts on the nerves as well as other adjacent teeth.
What is wisdom teeth removal surgery?
Wisdom tooth removal surgery is performed by dental specialists or oral surgeons to remove a damaged, decayed, or misaligned wisdom tooth. It typically involves administering local anesthesia, cutting into the gum, and removing the tooth either as a whole tooth or in pieces. By removing the wisdom tooth, you can prevent damage to the surrounding teeth.
What is the purpose of wisdom tooth extraction?
Your dentist will recommend wisdom tooth removal after a thorough oral examination. Extraction becomes necessary for the following reasons:
- One or more impacted (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
What to expect on the day of surgery?
Here are the general steps to performing a wisdom tooth removal extraction:
- Local numbing
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- Your surgeon will start numbing your tooth with the help of a local anesthetic delivered by injection.
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- Tissue resection
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- 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.
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- Closure
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- Stitches or sutures will be used to close the wound.
- Often surgeons use dissolvable stitches that do not require removal.
Final thoughts
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.
