Wisdom Tooth Removal Basic Facts

Basic Facts About Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom teeth refer to the third molars in humans. They usually start appearing when people turn 16 or 17 years old. What basically makes this set of molars more popular than the other types of teeth is that with their growth usually comes pain and other complications. These are the reasons why most people end up undergoing wisdom tooth removal procedures.

When Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Necessary?

The need to extract a wisdom tooth arises when it has failed to grow properly. This may mean tooth impaction or partial eruption. These conditions are known to cause infections and other dental complications potentially dangerous to the neighbouring teeth, the jawbone and the nerve. Removal of the wisdom tooth may also be recommended when its growth will result in the crowding of surrounding teeth.

In some cases, dentists or oral surgeons may suggest the removal of the third molars even if they aren’t causing pain. This recommendation is seen by these dental practitioners as a preventive measure given the prevalence of problems associated with the growth of wisdom teeth. Furthermore, removing these molars is easier while the patient is young.

However, some dentists argue against the aforementioned recommendation; they believe that extraction of healthy and properly growing wisdom teeth is uncalled for. Ultimately, for this matter, the decision lies in the hands of the patient.

What To Expect Before And After A Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure

Most people have the preconceived notion that wisdom tooth extraction is an extremely complicated procedure. While this notion holds true for some situations, they don’t in cases where the tooth is fully erupted. Basically, the ease or difficulty of the extraction mainly depends on the wisdom tooth’s condition.

After the surgery, patients may feel pain when the anaesthesia wears off. This is why dentists prescribe painkillers. Bleeding of the wound is fairly normal except if it continues beyond 24 hours. In this case, patients are advised to call their dentists right away. Generally, patients are expected to fully recover from the procedure in a week or less provided that they strictly follow their dentist’s directives.