Pain Begone: Having Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removed

Wisdom teeth are third molars located at the back of the mouth, and the last adult teeth to erupt. Most people have four wisdom teeth – two on the top and two on the bottom. Although the jaw can accommodate 32 permanent teeth, most of the time, it is too small to hold two more teeth each. Thus, the inadequate space prevents the wisdom teeth from erupting and results in dental impaction. There are three types of impaction:

1. Soft tissue impaction, where there is insufficient room to allow the gum tissue to retract for adequate cleaning of the tooth;
2. Partial bony impaction, where there is enough space for the tooth to erupt partially, but it cannot function properly in the chewing process and creates cleaning problems, among others; and 
3. Complete bony impaction, where there is no space for the tooth to emerge and remains embedded in the jaw bone. The impacted wisdom tooth may also be in an unusual position.

Regardless of the type, impacted wisdom teeth can cause several dental problems, including red or swollen gums and bad breath. Some people may also encounter difficulty in opening the mouth and prolonged headache or jaw pain. Moreover, impacted teeth can cause extreme pain when they become infected or damage other teeth.

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It is important to see a dentist immediately if the impacted wisdom teeth cause discomfort, pain, and other dental problems. An x-ray of the mouth and jaw will be performed to determine the exact position of the impacted wisdom teeth and the best strategy for removal. An oral surgeon will perform the extraction, which usually takes 45 minutes or less. An incision is made in the gums and any bone blocking the impacted tooth is removed before the extraction. If the impacted tooth is too large to extract in one piece, the surgeon needs to use a drill to cut the tooth into smaller pieces. After the extraction, the incision is stitched shut. Non-removal of impacted wisdom teeth can result in cyst development, chronic mouth discomfort, and gum disease.

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Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. John Pasqual has years of experience handling various dental procedures, including wisdom teeth removal. Visit his clinic’s official website for more information.