Wisdom tooth

A wisdom tooth, also called third molar is one of the three molars of human dentition. They usually start to come through the back of our gum and at each corner of jaw towards the late teens and early twenties. Adults mostly have 4 wisdom teeth which mean one in each of the four quadrants, however they can have fewer or more. These extra teeth are known as supernumerary teeth. Wisdom teeth is said to affect other teeth when they grow and become impacted. They are usually extracted by wisdom teeth removal procedure when or even before this occur.

Wisdom Tooth Pain and Complications

The lack of room in the human jaw can result in either emergence of these teeth from an angle or below neighbouring teeth; or only partial mergence. In either case, these abnormal emergences are termed “impacted”, and are characterized by wisdom tooth pain, which is the typical pain at the back of our jaws when wisdom teeth come out.

Impacted wisdom teeth can trap food and bacteria, initiating a build-up of plaque, which in return results in further dental complications such as gum disease and tooth decay. However, removal of some impacted wisdom teeth are not advised, as some impacted teeth tend not to cause other dental problems. Nevertheless, some clients tend to go ahead with the procedure of extraction of their impacted wisdom teeth, as in modern days they are not of great benefit, and taking the removal cost to consideration, it is the option many have chosen to protect their smiles.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Anesthesia

Before initiating the wisdom tooth extraction, our surgeons prioritize your comfort by administering appropriate anesthesia. Local anesthesia is the most common choice, and it is typically administered as follows:

• Topical Anesthetic Gel: A topical anesthetic gel may be applied to the gum tissue at the extraction site. This gel numbs the surface area, ensuring that you do not feel the initial needle prick.
• Local Anesthetic Injection: Our surgeons will then carefully inject a local anesthetic solution into the gum tissue near the wisdom tooth. This solution contains a numbing agent, typically lidocaine or articaine, which blocks pain signals from the nerve endings in the area. You may feel a slight pinch during the injection, but this discomfort is momentary, and the area quickly becomes numb.
• Monitoring and Adjustments: After administering the local anesthesia, our surgeons will take a few moments to ensure that the entire extraction site is adequately numbed. We may use a dental probe to confirm that you do not feel any pain. If needed, additional anesthetic may be administered to ensure complete numbness.

Step 3.2: Incisions (if necessary)

In some cases, wisdom teeth are partially or fully impacted, meaning they have not fully emerged from the gum tissue or are positioned at an angle that makes extraction challenging. In such situations, our surgeons may need to make small incisions in the gum tissue to access the wisdom tooth. The incisions are strategically placed to provide optimal visibility and access to the tooth’s position.

Tooth Extraction

Tooth Mobility Assessment

Before initiating the extraction process, our experienced surgeons perform a comprehensive assessment of the wisdom tooth’s mobility. This evaluation helps determine the complexity of the extraction. Wisdom teeth can vary in their positioning and attachment to the surrounding bone, which can affect the extraction technique used.

• Tooth Loosening: To begin, our surgeons use dental instruments to assess the mobility of the wisdom tooth. A gentle rocking motion is applied to ascertain the degree of looseness. In some cases, a tooth may already be somewhat mobile due to the natural eruption process or impaction.
• Assessing Bone Attachment: In cases where the tooth is firmly anchored to the surrounding bone, our surgeons carefully evaluate the attachment points. The extent of bone contact and the presence of bony overgrowths or irregularities are taken into account.

Elevator Usage

Once the mobility of the wisdom tooth has been assessed, our surgeons proceed with the extraction process. An elevator, a specialized dental instrument, plays a crucial role in facilitating the extraction. Here’s how it works:

• Placement: The elevator is carefully inserted into the space between the tooth and the surrounding bone. It is positioned in a way that minimizes trauma to the adjacent tissues, such as the gum and the neighbouring teeth.
• Leverage and Lift: Using precise and controlled movements, our surgeons apply gentle pressure with the elevator. This leverage action serves to gradually separate the wisdom tooth from the surrounding tissues and bone. The elevator’s design allows for precise manipulation while minimizing trauma to the neighboring structures.
• Tooth Elevation: As the elevator is maneuvered, it lifts the wisdom tooth within its socket. This elevation process further loosens the tooth, making it easier to extract. The gradual and careful nature of this step helps prevent damage to the surrounding bone and tissues.

Tooth Removal

With the wisdom tooth adequately loosened and elevated, our surgeons proceed to the final stages of extraction:

• Tooth Grasping: Using dental forceps specially designed for tooth extraction, our surgeons securely grasp the wisdom tooth. The forceps provide a controlled grip, allowing for precise manipulation during the removal process.
• Gentle and Gradual Extraction: Our surgeons employ a gentle and gradual extraction technique. The tooth is moved along its natural axis, following the path of least resistance. This minimizes the risk of fracturing the tooth or damaging the surrounding bone.
• Possible Sectioning: In certain cases, such as when a wisdom tooth is deeply impacted or its shape makes removal challenging, our surgeons may opt to section the tooth into smaller pieces for easier extraction. This method minimizes trauma to the surrounding tissues and facilitates the removal of particularly stubborn wisdom teeth.
• Socket Assessment: Once the wisdom tooth has been successfully extracted, our surgeons inspect the socket—the space left in the bone where the tooth once resided. The socket’s cleanliness and integrity are carefully evaluated to ensure optimal healing.

Hemostasis and Closure

After the wisdom tooth has been removed, our surgeons focus on promoting healing and preventing bleeding:

• Hemostasis: Hemostatic agents may be applied to the socket if necessary to promote blood clot formation and control bleeding.
• Socket Inspection: The socket is inspected again to ensure that there are no sharp bony edges or debris that could impede healing.
• Closure (if necessary): If an incision was made to access an impacted wisdom tooth, our surgeons may use dissolvable sutures to close the incision. These sutures are designed to facilitate proper healing and minimize the risk of infection. The use of sutures is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Cleaning and Stitching (if necessary)

After the wisdom tooth is successfully extracted, our surgeons focus on the following steps:

• Cleaning the Extraction Site: The extraction site is meticulously cleaned to remove any remaining debris, fragments, or infection. Thorough cleaning reduces the risk of postoperative complications.
• Socket Examination: Our surgeons inspect the socket (the space in the bone where the tooth was located) to ensure it is free from any sharp bony edges or irregularities.
• Suturing (if necessary): In cases where an incision was made to access an impacted wisdom tooth, our surgeons may use dissolvable sutures to close the incision. These sutures promote proper healing and minimize the risk of infection.

Postoperative Care Instructions

Following the wisdom tooth extraction procedure, our surgeons provide you with detailed postoperative care instructions, which may include:

• Pain Management: Guidance on managing postoperative pain and discomfort, including the use of prescribed pain medications or over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Oral Hygiene: Instructions on how to maintain oral hygiene while avoiding the extraction site during the initial healing period. This often involves gentle rinsing with a saltwater solution and avoiding vigorous brushing or flossing near the extraction site.
• Dietary Recommendations: Dietary guidelines, such as following a soft-food diet for a few days to a week to prevent irritation of the extraction site and promote healing.
• Follow-Up Appointments: Scheduling follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress, remove sutures if necessary, and address any questions or concerns.

T-he wisdom tooth extraction procedure is a carefully orchestrated process that prioritizes patient comfort through anesthesia, employs precise techniques for tooth extraction, and ensures a clean and well-prepared extraction site. Our surgeons take every precaution to ensure the successful completion of the procedure and set the stage for a smooth and comfortable recovery process.

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