Should I get my wisdom tooth removed?

Have you been confused about whether to get your wisdom tooth removed or not?
Is your wisdom tooth causing you trouble once every few months?
Are you scared of getting your wisdom tooth removed?

You are at the right place. Wisdom teeth which have nothing to do with your wisdom, are most of the time troublesome and can excruciating pain along with infections. So, the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons who specialize in the extraction of wisdom teeth advise getting the tooth extracted.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the third molars that are present at the end of your jaw. There are 4 wisdom teeth. 2 in the upper jaw and 2 in the lower jaw.

According to some studies, our jaw size has reduced with evolution and it is difficult for all 32 teeth to fit in. The wisdom teeth are the last to erupt. So, these have the maximum chances of getting impacted (i.e. not erupting in the right position). Most of the time the tooth is slanting in one direction or the other, the bone or the tissue covers the tooth, and it might be causing a severe check bite.

Read: Painless Root Canal Treatment in Mohali

Why should you get the wisdom tooth removed?

There are a lot of reasons you should get your wisdom teeth removed.

Vestigial

Wisdom tooth like the appendix has no role to play in our body. There are a few exceptions, e.g. in cases where the wisdom tooth has erupted properly and is in occlusion with the other teeth. But in most cases, it is not helping you in chewing and is a source of infection if it doesn’t erupt at its proper position.

Damages other teeth

When the wisdom teeth come angulated it starts hitting the tooth in front of it. Also, there starts accumulation of food. Both reasons can damage the adjusted tooth which eventually goes for either a filling, root canal, or extraction.

Cyst formation

Sometimes a cyst is formed around an impacted wisdom tooth. This can hollow the jaw if left untreated, change into tumors, and also damage the nerves in the vicinity. So, removal is the best option. Once the size of the tumor increases considerably, removal of the jaw might be required in extreme cases.

Sinus Infection

Infection with the upper wisdom teeth can lead to a sinus infection, a feeling of tightness, and congestion in the sinus (maxillary sinus).

Inflammation of the gums

The gum over the impacted wisdom tooth can get infected and swell. The tooth in the opposite arch might be hitting the gums over the unerupted wisdom tooth which might cause inflammation of the gums, which is known as pericoronitis. The best treatment again in such cases is the extraction of the wisdom tooth.

Check bite

Check bite is commonly seen in people with impacted wisdom teeth. The check comes in between the teeth in the upper and the lower jaw. There might be an ulcer there or the tissue will get thickened and fibrotic. In both cases, the best is to get the tooth extracted. If left untreated the ulcer might not heal and such ulcers that do not heal for a very long time might change into oral cancer.

Crowding

The wisdom tooth when erupts and does not get any space can start pushing the adjacent teeth which can lead to crowding of the teeth, which is mainly prominent in the front teeth.

When should you get the wisdom tooth removed?

If you are facing any of the above problems you should get your wisdom tooth extraction done immediately. It might be a surgical procedure and take a few days for recovery, but it is worth it.

Now a days many Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommend getting the tooth removed in your teen years if in the X-ray it is seen that the tooth will not erupt to its proper location and will get impacted. The earlier the better.

Whom should you get the wisdom tooth removed from?

You should preferably get your wisdom tooth extracted from an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon only. They are experts in oral surgery and specialize in the removal of wisdom teeth. So, the best is to prefer getting the tooth removed by an expert.

When can you avoid the removal of a wisdom tooth?

There are certain situations you can avoid getting your wisdom teeth removed.

1. When your tooth has erupted well in position and is causing no problems
2. Your brush can reach the wisdom tooth to keep it clean and cavity-free
3. When there are chances of injury to the nerves running near the roots of the tooth. In such cases if there is no problem with the tooth you can avoid the extraction, and if there is a problem your surgeon might advise the removal of the crown alone, leaving the roots, until there is no infection in the roots.

What are the post-op instructions you need to follow?

1. Remove the pack after around 20 minutes after washing your hands
2. Do not spit or rinse for 24 hours after the extraction
3. Do not take anything hot for the next 24 hours
4. Eat a soft diet at room temperature for the next 24 hours
5. Avoid aerated drinks
6. Avoid drinking with a straw
7. Start rinsing after 24 hours with lukewarm water with salt
8. Take medicines as prescribed by your surgeon

Read: Post Operative Instructions

What problems you can face after the removal (post-op)?

1. You will have pain for the next few days after the extraction
2. You might have swelling for a few days after the surgery
3. You might have slight discomfort and difficulty in opening your mouth for a few days
4. You might have difficulty eating for a few days
5. Dry socket, only in those cases where the clot gets dislodged

How much time does the removal of a wisdom tooth take?

The whole procedure might take approximately less than an hour. Your surgeon will give you breaks in between the procedure to take rest and relax.

Still not convinced about getting your wisdom tooth removed?
Call or WhatsApp our oral surgeon to get an expert opinion and all the details you need
+91-9646805088.

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