A wisdom tooth, also called the third molar, is the last type of tooth to grow into place. We generally have four wisdom teeth in our late teens or early twenties.
Our dental structures may only sometimes facilitate wisdom teeth development due to lack of space. When a wisdom tooth erupts under such conditions, it may develop irregularly or cause impaction.
Impacted wisdom teeth or Irregularly developed wisdom teeth can cause gum or operculum swelling, inflammation, infection, and pain in the mouth and jaw. Impacted wisdom teeth may also cause halitosis or bad breath. These symptoms are caused by bacterial colonization as a result of wisdom tooth impaction.
Misaligned wisdom teeth can make cleaning awkward, leading to decay. This decay can spread to other teeth too. Cysts, bone loss, nerve damage, and periodontitis are risks associated with wisdom teeth.
As you age, your jawbone changes and teeth may be more complex to extract.
Having your wisdom teeth assessed by a dentist in East Lansing, MI makes sense and can avoid future issues or solve existing ones.
Types of Wisdom Teeth Impaction
Horizontal Impaction
Horizontal impaction occurs when the wisdom tooth erupts and develops at a 180-degree angle to the tooth in front of it, thus pressuring it to move out of its correct position.
Mesial Impaction
Mesial impaction occurs when the wisdom tooth erupts and develops at a 45-degree angle to the tooth in front of it, leading to irregular movement and position.
Vertical impaction
Vertical impaction occurs when the wisdom tooth erupts and develops downwards, locking with the tooth beside it, causing the neighboring tooth to move out of position.
Distal impaction
Distal impaction occurs when the wisdom tooth erupts and develops backward into the rear jaw bone behind it, which can then cause jaw irregularities.
Treatment For Impacted Wisdom Teeth
More expensive dentistry treatments and cosmetic dentistry procedures may be required if an unhealthy wisdom tooth is left untreated.
Leaving impacted wisdom teeth untreated may lead to bone loss requiring tooth replacement procedures to restore dental function and facial volume.
Recommended treatments for wisdom teeth impaction differ from patient to patient based on the type and severity of the impaction. Sometimes, one or more dental treatments may be required. Dentists provide individuals with several treatment options for impacted wisdom teeth. These include:
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication,
- Antibiotics,
- Tooth extraction,
- Cyst enucleating,
- Root canal treatment, or
- Operculum gum contouring.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Your dentist may recommend wisdom tooth extraction to preserve your oral health and protect your other teeth from possible issues in the future.
Four main effects of wisdom teeth impaction require tooth extraction to preserve a patient’s oral well-being. Wisdom teeth need to be extracted in cases of:
Cavities
Wisdom tooth cavities result from tooth decay in the region of the wisdom tooth and affect neighboring teeth. Extracting the wisdom tooth can prevent the spread of tooth decay to other dental structures.
Cysts
Wisdom tooth cysts form from fluid and gas build-up in the infected bone around the impacted wisdom tooth. Cysts may grow and vary in size, requiring enucleation and wisdom tooth extraction to remove infection and prevent its spread in the body.
Gum Disease
Wisdom tooth gum disease results from an inability to properly clean the impacted wisdom tooth. If left untreated, gum disease can then develop. The wisdom tooth is extracted to preserve oral and overall health and prevent further bone loss.
Pericoronitis
Wisdom tooth pericoronitis is caused when the gum tissue or operculum overlapping the wisdom tooth becomes infected by colonizing bacteria and plaque. The infection often re-occurs and results in the need for wisdom tooth extraction.
A dentist or a specialist surgeon can carry out wisdom teeth extraction treatment. During a consultation, they’ll check the health of your wisdom teeth and take dental X-rays to determine their exact location. This is an excellent time to tell your oral surgeon in East Lansing, MI, about any medications, vitamins, or supplements you’re taking.
Depending on your needs and preferences, they may recommend local anesthesia, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), sedation, or general anesthesia.
Wisdom tooth extraction usually takes an hour or less. Complex cases may take longer.
Your surgeon will give you anesthesia to numb your teeth and gums and keep you comfortable. Incisions (cuts) will be made in your gums, if necessary, to expose teeth trapped in your gums or jawbone.
Your dentist will carefully loosen your wisdom tooth and lift it from its socket. They may divide your tooth into sections for easier removal.
After the extraction, the area will be cleaned to ensure no infection.
Stitches may be placed to close the surgical site if necessary.
Your surgeon will give you postoperative guidelines specific to your situation. Following these instructions will help you manage bleeding, swelling, and pain after your procedure.
Why Summertime Is The Best Time For Wisdom Teeth Extraction In East Lansing MI
Recovery from wisdom teeth extraction takes time. A patient may need to take a few days off work or school to rest after the teeth are removed. Parents of young teens choose to schedule wisdom teeth removal during the long summer vacation. This long break from school or college is the perfect time to take it easy during recovery from wisdom teeth removal.
For teens who are also students, summer is the best time for wisdom teeth extraction for several reasons.
As school is on break during the summer, academic learning time is not impacted due to the procedure and recovery. Even if complications arise, summer break gives an extended time for healing.
Dietary restrictions are easier to follow at home. During summer, self-conscious school-going teens don’t have to worry about swelling and bruising on the face.
Pain after wisdom teeth extraction can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers.
These medications can cause you to feel tired or even sick, so you will be most comfortable resting at home for a few days after getting your wisdom teeth removed.
Schaefer Dental Group – Advanced Techniques for Wisdom Tooth Treatment And Extraction In East Lansing MI
The oral surgery team at Schaefer Dental Group are committed to ensuring you are comfortable through every stage of your wisdom teeth treatment.
Suppose you need an experienced wisdom tooth extraction expert in East Lansing, MI, with a fantastic reputation in oral surgery treatments. In that case, our state-of-the-art East Lansing dental clinic can help.
At our East Lansing dental office, your wisdom teeth consultation treatment and extraction, if required, are carried out by experienced maxillofacial surgeons. Their experience helps to ensure correct choices are made for treatment. Call us today for more treatment information and to book a consultation.
