Wisdom teeth
Are your wisdom teeth causing you pain?
Usually, wisdom teeth come out between the ages of 18 and 24. The panoramic X-ray is the best tool to see them well. Their positions will determine whether or not they need to be removed. Misplaced wisdom teeth can lead to future complications such as infection, cysts, cavities and gum disease.
Measuring the progression of wisdom teeth from the age of 15
If you can act as a preventive measure, it is strongly recommended to carry out this examination around the age of 15 or 16 in order to measure the progression of these teeth and to know their probable orientation. Since the roots are not yet formed at this period of growth, in the event of an extraction, it will be greatly simplified.
If, depending on your age, the formation of the roots has already been completed and the teeth positioned, we can, by the present situation, recommend that you retain or extract the wisdom teeth.
Do not underestimate the importance of this monitoring or evaluation, since despite the absence of pain, there is no guarantee that it will remain so, even though there is a strong probability that your wisdom teeth will cause you pain. ailments in your lifetime. If you already show signs of infection or damage to the adjacent teeth, the question is out of the question: surgery will surely be recommended.
Wisdom teeth, a major source of ailments
What you should know with wisdom teeth is that they are, by their position, a great source of ailments such as infections and cysts.
A tooth that grows over the roots of the adjacent tooth instead of coming out in a straight position will cause pressure, possibly an abscess, deterioration or even loss of the neighboring tooth, while remaining buried in the jawbone . In this case, we call it an impacted tooth. This is sneaky damage and pain potential since nothing is apparent to the naked eye.
Panoramic X-ray
The evaluation of wisdom teeth begins with a dental examination using a panoramic X-ray (the one that allows the entire jaws to be seen). Thus equipped, the dentist will be able to know the presence and current position of the wisdom teeth and to detect different risks of procedures.
Although the wisdom tooth pierces the gum, the problem remains
A wisdom tooth that nevertheless manages to break through the gum, but which, despite a good position, does not succeed in coming out completely is also problematic. When the crown section of the tooth remains partially hidden under the gumline, it is said to be a tooth partially covered with soft tissue or semi-impacted: the ideal place for the accumulation of food debris and the formation of decay. Even with good and rigorous hygiene measures, infections on these sites can cause discomfort and ailments, harming your health.
The duration of surgery for the extraction of wisdom teeth
Logically, the duration of the surgery will be influenced by the number and type of extraction. If your mouth has two single and two semi-impacted extractions, the time required for surgery will not be the same as planning for four impacted teeth.
After the surgery
Once the surgery is completed, the person who must accompany you will be contacted if they are not already present. Many take advantage of this moment and take care of settling the bills, obtaining the necessary documents for your insurance claim and the absence motivation ticket if necessary, in order to avoid any waiting when you are ready. to leave.
The dentist will explain the procedure to you and make the necessary recommendations. The surgeon or assistant will repeat the prescribed medication dosage and ask you (if you haven’t already) to schedule a post-operative check-up appointment a few days after surgery
Rest, follow the instructions for care and the suggested menus for the following days.
Respect the dosage
By respecting the dosage of your medication, it should allow the swelling to subside and disappear within a week following the procedure. It is important to mention to your surgeon or his team if the swelling persists beyond 7 days or if after the 48 hour period, a sudden swelling appears.
To call a specialist or not?
Depending on your specific situation, your dentist may decide to perform the surgery himself or refer you to one of his fellow specialists: a maxillofacial surgeon. The latter, after obtaining his degree in dentistry, pursued a specialization for four additional years in complex surgical operations of the mouth and face. Therefore, the complexity of the intervention (the position of your teeth, the proximity of the lower nerve, the shape of the roots) or quite simply the practice habits of your dentist can influence his decision to proceed or not with the intervention.
Alveolitis
Also called “Dry Socket”, a dry socket is a post-operative complication of the dental socket. Once the tooth has been extracted, the cavity where it was lodged will fill with bone after a few months. But shortly after the extraction, as soon as the bleeding is controlled, the body will form a blood clot which will cover the cavity to form a protective barrier. The loss of this clot will expose the bone and can cause severe pain that radiates to the ear. Any effort of sucking can expel the clot so it is very important for the first 24 hours to avoid drinking with a straw, rinsing/spitting and smoking. If you lose the clot that has formed and you experience this type of pain, contact the surgeon so that he can clean the socket and ensure that it is covered.
