A wisdom tooth is the third molar in the dentition and may become impacted due to lack of space in the dental arch. Eruption of wisdom teeth may be prevented by gum, bone, another tooth or all three. Lack of space occurs because our jaws have become smaller through evolution and with preventative dentistry, good oral hygiene and diet, teeth are not lost due to decay as frequently as in the past.
Wisdom teeth generally cause problems when they erupt partially through the gum.
There is always a risk that impacted wisdom teeth may cause problems at any age so removal of wisdom teeth may be advised as a preventative measure if the probability of problems is high. Post operative discomfort varies greatly due to the difficulty of the procedure and the individual and there are several anaesthetic options depending on the number and difficulty of wisdom teeth to be removed and patient medical conditions and preferences.
The most common reasons for removing wisdom teeth are
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Decay
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Gum infection (Pericoronitis)
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Pressure pain
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Orthodontic reasons
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Prosthetic reasons
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Cyst formation
The procedure involves
- Making an incision in the gum and retracting the gum tissue to expose the impacted wisdom tooth and bone
- The removal of bone with a surgical drill to expose the tooth roots and possibly the division of the tooth to allow removal in sections
- The removal of any infection from the site
- The placement of dissolvable sutures
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