Wisdom tooth extraction is an advanced surgical procedure that occurs in a hard to reach area of the mouth. Often, wisdom teeth do not have proper room to grow and come in impacted at the very back of the jaw, making traditional extraction virtually impossible. And because these teeth are so deeply embedded into the jaw bone, they pose a risk to surrounding teeth, jaw nerves, and overall oral health. When it comes to removing wisdom teeth, having an experienced doctor can ensure success with minimal complications. Below are several complications that can occur during wisdom tooth extraction and how an experienced doctor can help avoid or resolve these without concern.
Common Wisdom Tooth Complications
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
An impacted wisdom tooth is one that has not fully erupted from the jaw. This means that a portion of the tooth is above the gum line and the rest is still embedded in the bone below. This complication makes the extraction process complicated because your doctor will need to surgically cut the wisdom teeth out of the jaw. This often involves cutting the gums, bone, and the tooth itself.
Crowded Teeth
In many cases, wisdom teeth do not have proper space to grow within the jaw. This leads to them pushing on surrounding back molars. These molars then become crowded, meaning they have no space to move, so they get shifted out of place. This can give patients an improper bite and damage other teeth as they move. By removing wisdom teeth early in their growth, crowding can often be prevented.
Sensitive Jaw Nerves
One of the scariest parts of wisdom tooth extraction for most patients is the chance of damage to their jaw nerve. The jaw is full of nerves that allow you to feel, but sometimes these wisdom teeth can be positioned too closely to a nerve. An inexperienced doctor could accidentally damage one of these nerves which can lead to long-term or even permanent numbness of the jaw.
Experience Matters for Wisdom Tooth Extraction
When you or your child has to undergo wisdom tooth extraction, choosing an experienced doctor can make a difference in the health and safety of the patient. Your experienced doctor will utilize advanced technology to identify the location of teeth, tooth roots, and jaw nerves to prevent or prepare for any complications. Choosing a doctor who has years of experience in this surgical procedure also means they have most likely come across difficult cases and will be able to react properly should one arise during your wisdom tooth extraction.
Make Your Appointment Now
Don’t wait for wisdom teeth to get worse, reach out to your local dentists, Dr. Edward Halusic and Dr. Christian Moore, in our office in Greensburg, PA and set up a consultation today!