As we all know, the last teeth to appear in our mouth are the third molars. They usually start to appear between the ages of 17 and 25. Whether these teeth should be left in the mouth is controversial. If they are in the right position and do not damage the surrounding tissues, there is no harm in keeping this tooth in place. Taking into account the future damage of a tooth fused to the jawbone and in an abnormal position, it can be decided to extract. In cases of dysregulation, the emergence of the tooth can be caught in the gum and bone and other adjacent tooth barrier.
What are the situations that require wisdom tooth extraction?
Caries: Saliva, bacteria and food particles accumulate in the socket opened by the newly emerging tooth and threaten both the wisdom tooth and the adjacent molar. It is very difficult to recognize and treat this type of caries. Severe pictures that cause pain and infection and result in abscess can occur.
GUM DISEASE: An infection focus occurs in the gum of a partially erupted wisdom tooth where bacteria and food residues are stored. This causes bad breath, pain, edema and trismus (inability to open the mouth fully). The infection can spread to the cheek and neck through the lymph. This infection-prone ground around the wisdom tooth is a candidate to become easily infected every time.
PRESSURE PAIN: If pressure is applied to neighboring teeth during plowing, a pain may be felt due to compression. In some cases, this pressure causes wear.
ORTHODONTIC REASONS: Many young individuals receive orthodontic treatment to correct the irregularities in their teeth. Since the riding pressure of wisdom teeth will be reflected on other teeth, there will be a mobility in other teeth, and crowding may increase.
REASONS RELATED TO PROSTHESIS: It is necessary to take wisdom teeth into account in a mouth with a prosthesis planning. Because, after the wisdom tooth is extracted, it will be necessary to make a new prosthesis according to the changing mouth structure.
CIST FORMATION: Cystic cases caused by an impacted tooth have been observed. The cyst causes bone destruction, jaw enlargement and the surrounding teeth to be displaced or damaged. To prevent bone destruction, the tooth should be extracted and the cyst cleaned. Rarely, if this cyst spreads to very large areas, it may turn into tumors or cause spontaneous fractures in the jawbone.
Why should a badly positioned wisdom tooth be extracted, even though it does not cause any discomfort?
Bad position of the tooth alone is a sufficient reason for infection. In such a case, the mentioned problems will definitely be experienced. Moreover, these types of problems develop suddenly and at an unexpected time.
Wisdom teeth are found in areas that are difficult to reach with brushes and floss. Bacteria, acid and food residues that cause decay over time accumulate in this area. If the tooth decays and is not restored with filling, the tooth will soon become inflamed.
Since it is difficult to keep these teeth clean, the accumulated bacteria and food residues cause bad breath.
A buried tooth in a horizontal position under the gum creates a pressure that will result in the movement, densification and distortion of other teeth.
Bacteria that accumulate under the gum covering the impacted tooth cause infection.
When is the best time to pull wisdom teeth?
Impact- a badly positioned tooth should be extracted between the ages of 14 and 22, whether it causes a complaint or not. Operations at younger ages are technically easier and recovery is quicker. The operations become very difficult over the age of 40. Also, with the increasing age, side effects increase and the recovery period prolongs.
Can teeth be extracted in cases of acute-active infection (pericoronitis)?
Usually no. If it is intervened in a situation where there is an infection, the infection spreads to the environment, wound healing will be late and difficult. Infection is controlled by local oral hygiene, antibiotics and sometimes extraction of the wisdom tooth in the opposite jaw.
Is it different from other tooth extractions?
Depending on the position, shape and size of the wisdom tooth, the difficulty level of the procedure to be applied varies. There may be mild swelling, pain and bleeding after a simple shot. Some complex shots that require more special procedures can also be applied. The precautions to be taken by your dentist and the recommendations to be found will minimize the side effects.
Following this extraction, a healing disorder called “dry socket” may be experienced. Blood does not accumulate in the extraction space and pain may also develop. In a few days, the situation will improve. In addition, if the recommendations of your dentist are followed, this event may not be encountered at all.
As the bone structure becomes denser and flexibility decreases in older ages, shooting becomes difficult and healing slows down.
Post-operative care
The wound should not be tampered with. Otherwise, pain, infection or bleeding may develop.
It should not be chewed with that side for the first 24 hours.
Smoking should not be allowed for the first 24 hours. Because smoking increases bleeding and impairs healing.
It should not be consumed. Otherwise, bleeding will increase and the clot may be dislodged.
Bleeding should be controlled. If no stitches are made, a tampon is made with sterile gauze. The tampon should be kept in the mouth for half an hour for clot formation. If the bleeding continues after the tampon is removed, a new one is placed.
Control of bloating. By applying a cold tampon to the area after the operation, circulation is slowed down and swelling of the face is prevented. The application should be as follows: 20 minutes cold buffer 20 minutes break and another 20 minutes cold buffer period.
After the first 24 hours, it is necessary to gargle with warm salt water every 2 hours. The mixture is prepared by adding 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 glass of warm water.