WISDOM TEETH FAQ
Should I always have my wisdom teeth removed?
No. There are wisdom teeth that erupt properly in the mouth and there is no need to remove them.
Why extract wisdom teeth if there is no pain?
Inflammation around wisdom teeth is a chronic disease (over time) and in many cases the damage caused is not accompanied by pain.
Does it hurt to extract a wisdom tooth?
A similar stimulus will cause a different response in different people. During wisdom teeth extractions under local anesthesia - there is a feeling of pressure in the treatment area and some patients will define it as pain. This feeling can be avoided under sedation (blurring).
What photographs should be taken prior to the extraction of a trapped wisdom tooth?
Generally a panoramic xray should be taken. In some cases it is recommended to add a CT scan as well.
Is it possible to perform an MRI to avoid CT radiation?
No. MRI is not recommended for teeth or bony structures. The use of digital imaging technology allows for minimal radiation exposure.
Why is it always necessary to remove the upper wisdom tooth when removing the lower wisdom tooth?
The question is inaccurate. It is not advisable to remove the upper wisdom tooth every time the lower wisdom tooth is missing. The upper wisdom tooth should only be removed if it is not aligned properly in the dental arch or if it does not have contact with any tooth in the lower arch (in order to avoid a phenomenon known as over eruption).
Should antibiotics always be taken after wisdom tooth extraction?
No, the opposite is true. It is recommended to avoid antibiotics after wisdom tooth extraction (and extractions in general) unless inflammation or pus are noted during treatment. Taking antibiotics is not statistically effective in preventing infection after wisdom tooth extraction, and in the case of inflammation the bacteria will be more resistant to the therapeutic treatment.
Can a general dentist extract a wisdom tooth or just an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon?
Although there are dentists who are skilled in surgical extractions, impacted wisdom teeth or those that require complex treatments are commonly referred to surgeons.
How long does it take to extract a wisdom tooth?
This question cannot be answered as there are a wide variety of impacted wisdom teeth and the complexity of the treatment has a direct impact on the time of the procedure. Still, it is likely that the more skilled and experienced the surgeon, the shorter the treatment, the faster the recovery, and the lower the chance of complications.
What is expected after an impacted wisdom tooth is extracted?
Different patients will recover differently after similar treatment. Still, it can be generalized that pain and swelling in the treatment area, restriction in mouth opening and difficulty swallowing for several days are not uncommon after surgical extractions of a wisdom tooth.
What are the possible complications if the wisdom teeth are not removed in time?
Inflammation and infections (which will not necessarily cause pain or swelling), damage to nearby teeth, development of cysts (a cyst is a type of benign tumor), a fracture of the lower jaw.
What are the complications after wisdom tooth extraction?
Possible complications vary depending on the type of tooth, its location in the jaw, the patient's age and several other parameters. Complications can generally be said to include infection, bleeding, an opening from the mouth to the nose, damage to nearby teeth, fracture of the jaw, and loss of sensation in the tongue in the teeth and lower lip. It is important to remember that despite the possible complications, these are rare symptoms, and when there is an indication of this - the benefit of removing wisdom teeth is great.
I'm planning a pregnancy. Is it advisable to remove the wisdom teeth beforehand?
Pregnancy is not in itself a reason for the extraction of wisdom teeth, but if it was recommended to remove the wisdom teeth because they are in a poor position, defined as "impacted wisdom teeth", or for any other reason - it does make sense to perform the treatment beforehand. It is known that the changes that the body goes through during pregnancy can exacerbate the infections in the oral cavity.
What is a dry socket?
Severe pain that begins several days after the extraction due to failure of the body to create a blood clot in treatment area. Women taking birth control pills as well as patients who smoke - are more likely to develop a dry socket. Treatment requires local dressing with a special remedy that soothes the area. In many cases the dressing should be changed several times until complete recovery.
Why do I not have a sensation in half my tongue after a wisdom tooth extraction?
The nerves that provide the sensation feeling to the tongue and lips are in close proximity to the area of the lower wisdom tooth and are sometimes damaged. As a result of the injury half the tongue feels numb, or there is no sensation in the tongue. If a day after the removal of the lower wisdom tooth, if the anesthesia feeling has not passed, it is advisable to be seen urgently by an Oral Surgeon, since time is the most critical variable in the success of damaged nerve surgery.
How much does it cost to extract a wisdom tooth?
Although a high price does not guarantee anything - a cheap treatment should turn on a red flag. Generally the broader the training and experience of the surgeon, the better the quality of the equipment in the clinic, and the higher the sterilization standards the price will change accordingly.
Why are wisdom teeth called wisdom teeth?
There are several theories as to the origin of the tooth, popular of which claims that wisdom teeth erupt at ages 17-22, and at these ages we are sure we know everything.
Can a wisdom tooth cause tooth crowding?
It is known that even without the presence of wisdom teeth, it is possible for the teeth to become crowded over time, so wisdom teeth are probably not the main cause of this phenomenon.
Is it possible to extract several wisdom teeth together?
Removing wisdom teeth on the same side in the same sitting position (up and down) is an acceptable and common treatment. In many cases there is also no problem removing wisdom teeth from two different sides simultaneously (right and left), but it is a decision of the attending surgeon. Under sedation (or under general anesthesia) it is customary to remove all the wisdom teeth together to prevent the need for an additional sedation. The theory that bilateral local anesthesia can cause swallowing of the tongue has been proven wrong.
Do you always need stitches after removing your wisdom teeth?
No. In many cases there are certain benefits to stitching the treatment site. The decision is left to the attending surgeon.
What can be eaten after wisdom tooth extraction?
It is advisable to stick to cold and soft foods and avoid hot foods that irritate the area or a diet that can leave crumbs at the extraction site.
How long does it take for the displacement area to heal?
The rate of recovery varies from one to another, so there is no unequivocal answer to this question. In general, it can be said that 7-10 days is a reasonable recovery time, but given the complexity of the treatment, the depth at which the tooth is located and the angle at which it is impacted, it is not uncommon for recovery to take several weeks. The cavity (hole) in the treatment area left after the tooth is removed will only close after about 3 months.