About Wisdom Tooth
Wisdom teeth or the third molars grow at the back of the mouth and are the last teeth to erupt. Wisdom tooth erupts at the far end corners of the mouth and most people have usually four wisdom teeth. They can come out at the early age of 16 and on. By this time every other teeth in the buccal cavity is aptly matured and well rooted. Thus, it can be sometimes difficult for them to come out easily. There is no room for the wisdom tooth and a small pocket of gum tissue rests on top of the tooth which causes recurrent infection/swelling and pain. The situation may also lead to emerging of wisdom tooth at an angle or to only partially emerge. This problem is referred to as impacted growth of wisdom tooth. Several times wisdom tooth do not emerge at all causing severe jaw pain radiating to the ear.
Although, the emergence of wisdom tooth sometimes may or may not cause pain and is a normal scenario. However, lack of emergence of wisdom tooth and impacted growth of wisdom tooth may cause several problems and this makes the extraction of wisdom tooth essential. These problems may be:Gum diseases: Referred to as gingivitis or periodontal disease, pericoronitis, this problem me cause reddening and swelling of gums leading to immense pain. It may also affect the gums and teeth nearby.Cellulitis: An infection in cheek, tongue or throat due to bacteria. Cyst: A fluid filled swelling caused due to trapping of wisdom tooth in gum. In the aforementioned cases extraction of wisdom tooth is absolutely necessary to prevent any further discomfort that may lead.
Extraction of wisdom tooth is believed to be very painful. As a matter of fact the infections and diseases caused to patients are far more painful than extraction. In case of impacted wisdom tooth growth a dentist simply rocks the tooth back and forth to loosen the tooth and extracts it normally, and this procedure can be done under sedation making it painless. If the wisdom tooth hasn’t emerged a small cut is made in the gum and a device is used to break the tooth into small pieces before extraction.In both the cases an anesthetic injection is used to numb the area around the tooth and the process is painless. However, post extraction may be painful which may be the case or a few days.
Wisdom tooth Dr. Sidhu finds are problematic during orthodontic treatment to keep teeth straight, during eruption of wisdom teeth, especially in the teenage years it is important to have your teeth checked and wear a retainer or mouthguard as often as possible to prevent crooked teeth, and biting problems. Dr. Sidhu has seen many patients teeth become crooked when a wisdom tooth comes into the mouth, and thus advises the removal of wisdom teeth if seen to be in an unfavourable position which causes an unfavourable outcome for the patient.
Wisdom tooth can be removed under sedation whether oral sedation, IV Sedation or general anesthesia, if a patient is nervous or concerned about surgery. Dr. Sidhu finds oral sedation with nitrous oxide can become the best sedation method for anxious patients to have their teeth removed.
Removing a tooth early on in the teenage years, often is a better alternative than waiting as a person’s bone is more flexible and amenable when removing teeth, as you get older the bone gets harder and harder making it more difficult to pull out a tooth in a 25 year old patient compared to a younger patient in their teenage years.
