Everything You Need to Know About Wisdom Tooth Extraction

An adult human has 32 teeth. The wisdom tooth is referred to as a “rudimentary” part of the human body—a part that has lost its function through evolution. Our ancestors used wisdom teeth – also known as the third molars – to grind tough and coarse food, but modern humans no longer need them for this function. Most people have four wisdom teeth, although it is possible to have fewer.

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Problematic?

Wisdom teeth are intended to help in the grinding of food, but their emergence can cause discomfort for many people. However, according to dentists, this discomfort is completely normal during their eruption. Despite being a natural part of our dental anatomy, wisdom teeth frequently cause problems because the modern human jaw is smaller than that of our ancestors. Due to this reduced space in the mouth, the emergence of wisdom teeth can lead to issues such as:

Retention

Retention, also known as tooth impaction, occurs when a wisdom tooth fails to fully emerge, causing not only discomfort but also misalignment of other teeth. It’s possible for the tooth to emerge at an incorrect angle, or to remain embedded in the jawbone, leading to retention. Impacted teeth can cause pain, swelling of the gums, and infection. There is also the risk of developing a retention cyst. Often, impacted teeth may not cause any pain, but pain may become apparent when the impacted teeth begin to damage other teeth. This can lead to pain in the gums, jaw pain, and an unpleasant smell in the mouth. An impacted tooth that damages other teeth may need to be extracted.

Misalignment of Teeth: Braces and Wisdom Teeth

If there is insufficient space in the mouth, a wisdom tooth might emerge in such a way that it disrupts the alignment of other teeth. Incorrectly erupted wisdom teeth can contribute to the gradual misalignment of the front teeth. This often undermines the results achieved through braces. The effectiveness of the treatment is lost, and a new orthodontic intervention may become necessary.

Caries and Gum Disease

Cleaning partially erupted wisdom teeth is difficult, making them a hotspot for bacterial growth. This fact contributes to the development of gum inflammation – periodontitis – and the progression of tooth decay, known as caries.

Pericoronitis

Pericoronitis occurs when the soft tissues surrounding a tooth are damaged due to inflammation caused by the presence of debris. This condition commonly accompanies the emergence of wisdom teeth, often involving trauma and damage to the surrounding soft tissues. If you experience pain upon touching the gums, have difficulty moving or opening your mouth, or notice swollen lymph nodes, consult a dentist.

Abscess

An abscess is a dental infection that develops when pus accumulates in a wisdom tooth. This purulent infection can be quite painful. If not promptly treated by a dentist, it might even necessitate the removal of the tooth to prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth and to avoid complications. Oral surgeons at our dental clinic Tbilisi provide necessary assistance and will try to treat the infection in such a way that the tooth can be preserved. If a dentist is not consulted in time, the infection could potentially spread to the jaw, head/face, and neck areas.

Wisdom Tooth Eruption: Symptoms

Sometimes a wisdom tooth can emerge without the person even noticing. However, the problems it causes can definitely not go unnoticed. An impacted wisdom tooth can lead to:

1. Increased pain/sensitivity in the jaw;
2. Swelling/redness;
3. Difficulty opening the mouth;
4. Unpleasant taste or smell in the mouth.

Wisdom Tooth Treatment

Dentists often diagnose using 3D computed tomography, which aids in visualizing and assessing the condition of the wisdom tooth. Here are the treatment options for complicated wisdom tooth cases:

Monitoring: If your wisdom teeth are not yet causing complications, your dentist may recommend simply monitoring them and scheduling regular dental consultations.

Extraction: In many cases, removing the wisdom tooth is the best solution to prevent future complications. This is a common dental procedure performed under local anesthesia or sedation.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction: How the Process Works

Wisdom tooth extraction is performed by an oral surgeon. Local anesthesia is used to eliminate pain, minimizing discomfort for the patient. The duration of the procedure depends on the complexity and the number of teeth being removed, typically ranging from 10-15 minutes to an hour. Swelling and discomfort after the extraction of a wisdom tooth are normal. Symptoms usually subside within 1-2 days. If you do not follow the dentist’s recommendations and do not properly care for the wound, food debris can contaminate the incision, leading to infection and inflammation. For a speedy recovery, avoid physical activity, apply ice packs externally to the affected area, avoid hard foods, and drink plenty of fluids. Most importantly, follow your dentist’s instructions.

Prevention

Despite the fact that you cannot take any preventive measures to stop the formation of wisdom teeth, regular dental check-ups can help you avoid potential complications early on. During these preventive check-ups, teeth cleaning is also performed, which helps in preventing tooth decay. Good oral hygiene and a healthy diet can minimize risks. Since you can’t prevent the emergence of wisdom teeth, if your goal is to maintain a Hollywood smile, consider that without proper treatment of wisdom teeth, it may be difficult to achieve.

FAQs:

What happens during the extraction of a wisdom tooth?

The cost of wisdom tooth extraction depends on its complexity: distal impaction starts from 350 GEL, retention –  from 550 GEL.

Is it possible to extract a wisdom tooth during pregnancy?

Local anesthesia is permissible for pregnant women during wisdom tooth extraction. Consult your dentist, who will recommend an anesthetic that is safe for the fetus.