The 8th molars, more commonly known as wisdom teeth. They are the last teeth that erupt into the mouth, anywhere between the ages of 15 and higher. We often notice young kids being very cranky when their teeth first start to come in; they can bite on anything to find some form of comfort. We feel pain when a new tooth erupts into the mouth because the tooth rips through the gums to come out. The gums feel tender and irritated due to the changes around them. A wisdom tooth can be especially painful if there isn’t another wisdom tooth in the opposite arch. If there isn’t another tooth in the opposite arch, then the erupting wisdom tooth will hit the gums instead, causing more pain. Wisdom teeth can cause various issues, such as:
- Pericoronitis: Operculum is the gum tissue that covers the tooth while it is still erupting. The operculum can become infected and inflamed if not cleaned properly, as food and bacteria can get stuck under it. This is especially common in wisdom teeth, as it is harder to clean in that area. This increases the risk of cavities on that tooth, and it’s also painful to bite down on that flap.
- Crowding of teeth: Wisdom teeth often become impacted as they push on other teeth’s roots. This pushing can cause other teeth to move closer together, causing crowding in the mouth.
- Damage to adjacent tooth’s root: Impacted wisdom teeth may be putting pressure on the roots of the second molar. This can cause the root to resorb; therefore, the root is worn away.
- Damage to the nerves: Impacted wisdom teeth may also put pressure on surrounding nerves. This most commonly occurs in the lower molar, and you may experience numbness or tingling in your lower lip, chin, and tongue.
- Jaw pain: Jaw pain during wisdom teeth eruption can occur due to many reasons, such as infections and misalignment/crowding due to impactions.
3 different types of wisdom tooth extraction:
- Simple extraction: This occurs when the wisdom tooth has partially or fully erupted into the mouth and is visible.
- Soft tissue impaction: This occurs when the wisdom tooth has not erupted. It is covered by the gums, and they need to be cut in order to expose the tooth and take it out.
- Hard tissue impaction: This occurs when the wisdom tooth has not erupted and is still covered by bone. This is also known as a complicated extraction, as burs and scalpels will be needed to cut open the gums and then take out bone to expose the tooth underneath.
Why you may not be able to get your wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth are located in complicated areas where big branches of nerves begin that serve the entire face. The nerves may be wrapped around the roots of the wisdom tooth. Taking that tooth out could damage the nerves, which could potentially cause paralysis of the entire face. It is important to get a panoramic x-ray to see the nerves around the tooth. The panoramic x-ray is only 2D, however, so it could be that the nerves are in front of or behind the tooth, not actually wrapping around it. A cone beam computed tomography, or CBCT, x-ray could be done to see the tooth and surrounding structure in 3D. We posted a blog explaining the CBCT as well on The Smile Team Family Dentistry Blogs; don’t forget to read that too!
Why you may not have a wisdom tooth?
A missing wisdom tooth, also known as third molar agenesis, can occur due to many reasons, the main ones being evolutionary changes and genetics. Many years ago, our diet consisted of hard and tough foods like raw meat and hard nuts. The third molar was essential in chewing that food. However, as our diet has changed, so has the importance of the third molar. It is no longer needed for our benefit; therefore, over time the third molar has stopped developing in a lot of people. Genetics is another cause; it is likely if your parents didn’t have a third molar, then neither will you.
Post Operative intructions to remember after an extraxtion!
Do not do any difficult or hard physical activity for atleast a day. You will be given a sterile gauze after your extraction. Bite down on that gauze for atleast an hour to reduce bleeding. Replace the gauze as needed. keeping your head elevated, especially during sleep will also minimize bleeding. Do not spit or use a straw for atleast 24 hours as that can distrurb the blood clot. A dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis occurs when the blood clot forming is disturbed. This can cause severe pain and if it occurs, call your dentist, Dr. Abid Hidayat. The dentist can flush the socket and place medication in the socket.
At the Smile Team, here in Markham, we are prepared to help you through this pain. We offer extractions with nitrous oxide (inhalation sedation); this is especially helpful for young children with dental anxiety. Dr. Abid Hidayat has treated many clients of various ages, so you don’t have to worry about your child, teenager, or grandparent because we have everything they need to feel comfortable here at the Smile Team.
We are open Mondays to Saturdays and speak GUJARATI, HINDI, URDU, TAGALOG, and ARABIC. You can contact us here at Markham, ON, by calling 416-546-5599.