Wisdom tooth extraction / Tooth extraction

Impacted Tooth: An impacted tooth is a tooth that cannot erupt into the mouth normally because there is insufficient space in the jawbone, or it is growing in the wrong direction. This results in the tooth partially emerging or remaining completely buried within the jawbone.

Wisdom Teeth Can Cause Various Problems

Why do wisdom teeth need to be removed? Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to several complications, such as:

Pain and Swelling: Occurs around the area where the tooth is buried or due to inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding the wisdom tooth.
Infection: Bacteria can accumulate under the gum flap covering the wisdom tooth or in the bone. Severe infections can spread to vital areas like the neck, head, eyes, lungs, or heart.
Damage to Adjacent Teeth: A wisdom tooth pushing against a neighboring tooth makes cleaning difficult. If left untreated, this can cause cavities in the adjacent tooth and bone loss due to periodontal disease.
Cysts or Tumors: Several types of cysts and tumors in the jaw are associated with wisdom teeth, which can destroy the jawbone and surrounding tissues.
Interference with Orthodontics: Wisdom teeth pushing against other teeth can hinder tooth movement or obstruct the development of other teeth. In these cases, removal is recommended.

Preparation and Procedure for Wisdom Tooth Removal

Preparation:

Consultation: See a dentist for an examination and X-ray to determine the tooth’s position and assess complexity.
Medical History: Inform the dentist of your health history, including chronic diseases, regular medications or supplements, past treatment history, drug allergies, or bleeding disorders.
Plan Recovery: Schedule time off for recovery after the surgery.
Medical Advice: Consult your physician regarding stopping certain medications or taking antibiotics before surgery in specific cases.

The Procedure:

Pain Management: The doctor will likely have you take painkillers before the procedure starts. It is recommended to eat before your appointment.
Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is injected to numb the area and reduce pain during surgery.
Incision: The gum is opened, and any bone obstructing the tooth is removed.
Extraction: The tooth is removed. If the tooth is buried deep, the dentist may split the tooth into smaller pieces to make removal easier (this may take longer but is often necessary).
Suturing: The wound is stitched closed to allow for complete healing.
Aftercare: The dentist will provide instructions on how to care for the wound post-surgery.

Service fee 800 - 6,500 baht

How to take care of yourself after wisdom tooth extraction

Apply a cold compress to the cheek area to reduce swelling in the first 24-72 hours.
Avoid using a straw: to prevent the blood clot from dislodging from the wound, which can cause repeated bleeding.
Take medication: Use painkillers or antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor.
Brush your teeth carefully: Avoid the wound area.
Rinse with warm salt water: to help keep the area clean.
Eat soft foods: such as porridge or soup.
You should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
Avoid drinking very hot or spicy drinks or food for the first two to three days because it may slow down the healing of the wound. You should choose to drink plain water or warm tea.
Refrain from hard, sticky foods that may impact the wound.
You should avoid strenuous activities such as heavy sports, swimming, running, and using a sauna for the first 2-3 days.

Symptoms after wisdom tooth extraction.

There may be pain and swelling in the first 1-3 days, but it can be controlled with painkillers and cold compresses.
There may be slight bleeding, which usually stops within 24 hours.
Difficulty opening the mouth wide may occur due to tightness in the extraction area or pain in the muscles around the wound.

Complications that may arise from wisdom tooth extraction.

Infection: if the wound is not well taken care of.
After 2-3 days of extraction, a dry socket may occur if the blood clot that closes the wound dislodges too early, exposing the bone. This causes severe pain, but it can be treated to effectively alleviate the symptoms.
The wisdom tooth may be near nerves and blood vessels. The extraction may cause damage, leading to bleeding and numbness or tingling on the tongue or lips. Normally, these symptoms are temporary, but in rare cases, a severe infection or permanent gum problems may occur.

Summary

Wisdom teeth are a problem that should be managed by a specialist dentist. If you suspect you have a wisdom tooth or have abnormal symptoms, you should immediately seek examination and consultation with a dentist to prevent problems that may occur in the future.