Wisdom teeth appear in a person between the ages of 17-24 and can cause numerous problems. Improper growth, tooth decay, inflammation of the gums, pain - all these are symptoms of problems associated with figure eights. You can read more about whether it is necessary to remove wisdom teeth before braces and in other cases in this article.
Wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that usually develop between 17 and 24 years of age. It is believed that it is at this age that the human body finally stops growing and begins to age, hence the teeth got their name. No one claims that from the moment of eruption of wisdom teeth, a person acquires some special knowledge, just the jaw is finally formed. Wisdom teeth can be either 0 or 4: two each on the upper and lower jaws. Very often they develop with problems and can cause inflammation,displacement of the remaining teeth and severe pain. Is it necessary to remove wisdom teeth? It depends on the accompanying factors, so if you are worried about molars starting to appear, see a doctor.
Specialists believe that wisdom teeth play almost no role in the process of chewing food, but they can cause many problems. Often, pieces of food get stuck in them and can cause cavities and inflammation. Wisdom teeth “sleep” for quite a long time and erupt even when the jaw is fully formed. They grow rather slowly - the process itself can take several years, and therefore do not cause any particular discomfort. Sometimes the "germ" of the tooth is located incorrectly, as a result of which it grows horizontally or even in the opposite direction. In such difficult situations, doctors usually prescribe surgical treatment.
Problems caused by the growth of wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth do not always develop correctly. Sometimes their appearance can cause a lot of problems. If wisdom teeth do not grow properly, they can cut into soft tissues (cheek), damage neighboring teeth, jaw or nerves. Quite often, dentists are also faced with the following situation: wisdom teeth have grown only by half and most of them are hidden by the gums. Food debris can get into this very “pouch”, which causes inflammation and caries. It is almost impossible to reach this place with a toothbrush, so dentists often recommend simply extracting the tooth to avoid embarrassment.
Also, a wisdom tooth can cause problems and pain during eruption. If your gums are inflamed, swollen and you feel constant pain, then your dentist will most likely advise you to remove your wisdom tooth. Since it is not of key importance in the process of chewing or jaw formation, it is clearly not worth enduring such torment for its sake.
Because of the wisdom teeth can break the bite. Erupting eights gradually shift all other teeth to the middle, as a result of which their normal arrangement is disturbed. Pressure on neighbors can lead to more serious problems: inflammation of the nerves, jaw cysts and others. A dentist who decides to remove a molar usually calculates all the nuances and only then decides whether to remove it or not.
It should be noted that in most cases, wisdom teeth develop without any accompanying problems. Despite all the disadvantages that wisdom teeth can cause, they can serve as the basis for prosthetics in the event that all other teeth are not able to bear the weight of the bridge prosthesis. Also, in the absence of adjacent chewing teeth, eights can take on this role.
Indications for removal
Is it necessary to remove wisdom teeth? Dentists have a clear list of situations in which an extraction becomes necessary.
- They cause gum disease. If teethwisdom during teething cause inflammation, swelling and pain in the gums, then this is a reason to see a doctor. Also, a situation can become problematic when the tooth is cut only halfway, thereby contributing to the development of bacteria and the appearance of infections. This is a dangerous situation, because as a result, the patient may develop inflammation of the bone tissue or form a cyst filled with pus or blood.
- Their growth can cause damage to neighboring teeth. The deep gaps between he althy molars and a half-erupted wisdom tooth can provide a breeding ground for bacteria and food. As a result, caries can develop on them, and then be transmitted to neighboring teeth.
- The position of the eighth molar affects the function of chewing and the structure of the jaw. If a wisdom tooth scratches soft tissue, makes you bite on your cheek, or causes swelling of the gums that makes it difficult to eat, then this is a reason to get rid of it.
- Teeth don't grow properly. If the wisdom tooth presses on adjacent molars or grows inside the jaw, then this is also a good reason to remove it. Is it necessary to remove a wisdom tooth if it does not grow correctly? Most dentists answer in the affirmative. Pressure on a he althy tooth can damage its root, spoil the bite, and lead to numerous problems that will be much more difficult to correct than simply pulling out the blockage.
When not to pull a tooth?
Wisdom teeth should not be removed in all situations. When is intervention not required?
- Ifthe wisdom tooth has completely erupted.
- It is properly placed and does not interfere with adjacent teeth.
- It allows you to chew food without touching soft tissue.
- Eights do not cause pain or inflammation.
Is it necessary to remove an impacted wisdom tooth? Only a specialist can answer this question by making a preliminary x-ray of the jaw. An impacted tooth is a tooth that is fully formed but has not erupted. Sometimes people may not be aware of its presence, and sometimes it can cause unpleasant and painful sensations. Therefore, there is no single answer to the question of whether it is necessary to remove a wisdom tooth if it has not come out.
Difficult cases
In many cases, teething of wisdom teeth is associated with numerous problems. Incorrect placement of the wisdom tooth is a fairly common complication that, according to statistics, occurs in 70% of patients. In this case, even a molar that has not erupted can cause a lot of harm. For example, it may begin to grow horizontally or inside the jaw. Is it necessary to remove a wisdom tooth that lies horizontally? Dentists are unanimous in their opinion - such a wisdom tooth should be removed as quickly as possible. The fact is that against the background of such a situation, the patient may develop a purulent-inflammatory disease or even a flux, and as a result, a much more serious operation will be required.
If a person puts off going to the doctor, then the body gradually gets used to the constantdiscomfort. But the background inflammatory process weakens the immune system, as a result of which a person often has enlarged lymph nodes and fever. It would be most reasonable at the age of 17-20 to have regular check-ups at the dentist and to do an x-ray of the jaw in order to avoid such problems. Tooth extraction in young people is much less painful than in adults, and healing is faster. Therefore, dentists do not recommend waiting until the last minute and contacting a specialist at the slightest unpleasant symptoms.
Pregnancy
Should wisdom teeth be removed before pregnancy? This question is often asked by women planning a pregnancy. Definitely worth a visit to the dentist and get his opinion. During pregnancy, a woman's body experiences a double load, and due to a lack of calcium and metabolic disorders, teeth suffer most often. Therefore, in order to avoid possible problems, you need to take care of prevention and necessary procedures in advance.
If the pain in the area of eights caught you during pregnancy, then in this case the operation is performed only in extreme cases and only with local anesthesia. Drugs can cause serious harm to the fetus, so they are prescribed with great care.
Operation process
How does the wisdom tooth extraction process work?
- First, the doctor takes an X-ray to make sure the procedure is necessary.
- Then he consults with an anesthesiologist, who helps to choose the right pain medication. ATin some cases, removal may take place under general anesthesia.
- During a tooth extraction operation, the patient is usually given a local anesthetic with a gel and then an injection into the area to be treated. Pain relief takes an average of 7-15 minutes to take effect.
- Next, the surgeon opens the gum tissue and removes the wisdom tooth, stitches, which are then removed during a follow-up visit.
- The procedure itself usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
Many are afraid of the possible pain of the procedure, so they delay it to the last. But with the right anesthesia, you won't feel pain. Your doctor will then prescribe strong pain medication to help you get through the first few days after the procedure.
What happens after?
In order for the healing process to be as successful as possible, it is important to follow all postoperative recommendations of dentists.
- If you are worried about heavy bleeding, then gauze pads (sterile) should be applied to the desired place.
- An ice pack can help relieve swelling and pain after the anesthesia wears off. Instead of ice, you can use a bag of frozen food.
- After the operation, sports and hard work should be refrained from. You need to set aside at least a few days for rest. Try not to plan anything during this time.
- Avoid smoking, sugary sodas and solid foods. It is best to eat soft food at room temperature for the first 2-3 days.
- Take your medicineprescribed by a doctor.
After the operation, the process of eating may be difficult for some time. Here are some soft food options that won't make you feel uncomfortable:
- baby food;
- soup;
- dairy products (yogurt);
- puding;
- smoothie;
- milk and protein shakes.
Wisdom teeth and braces
A beautiful smile and straight teeth are considered one of the main signs of beauty and he alth. Therefore, now more and more people are resorting to the services of orthodontics in order to correct bite or uneven teeth. What role do wisdom teeth play in braces? If the figure eights are impacted or semi-retinated (not yet erupted), then they can significantly affect the correct position of the teeth in the future. Sometimes people have to wear braces for several years to get an even smile. After their removal, a wisdom tooth that has begun to grow incorrectly can easily cross out all efforts by moving them again. Therefore, when asked whether it is necessary to remove wisdom teeth before braces, dentists often advise surgery.
But there is also an opposite opinion. Removal of molars in such a hard-to-reach place can be very difficult, and the patient after the operation will experience poor he alth and a long recovery. Yes, and the very orthodontic treatment because of this can move away for an indefinite period. Therefore, if the patient is not bothered by anything, and the tooth is completely erupted,then the doctors leave him alone.
Is it necessary to remove a wisdom tooth during implantation? If you need to install an implant, then the surgeon can remove the wisdom tooth at the same time, if there are indications for this. In Germany, for example, figure eights are removed shortly after they erupt. And there is definitely no point in putting an implant in place of a pulled out wisdom tooth that grows incorrectly. In addition to difficult access, the load during chewing will not coincide with the axis of the implant, resulting in gaps and inflammation between the teeth.
Opinion of orthodontists
Is it necessary to remove a wisdom tooth when installing braces if they have grown? Removal of figure eights before braces or bite correction is becoming an increasingly common practice. But doctors emphasize that the operation is a serious intervention in the body, so the indications for it must be really serious. But the removal of impacted eights, unfortunately, is necessary. Not every dentist will undertake it, and it will be necessary to find an experienced specialist who will adequately do his job.
If you are afraid of pain or sensations during the procedure, then you should do the removal under general anesthesia, although for this you will need to go to the hospital. You will not feel pain even with local anesthesia, but you will still feel all the manipulations performed by the doctor. Therefore, before deciding whether to keep or remove eights,consult with several experts to make an informed decision.
What should I do if my wisdom tooth hurts?
If a wisdom tooth causes you pain, but you cannot or do not want to pull it out, then improvised means that everyone has in the house can come to the rescue.
- Anesthetizing tooth gel can make your life easier. They are produced mainly for children, but they can also be suitable for adults.
- Ibuprofen is not only a pain reliever, but also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that can reduce inflammation.
- Rinse with s alt or soda can reduce the number of disease-causing bacteria. Instead of s alt, you can also use a solution of furacilin. However, if the inflammation is too severe, then folk remedies are unlikely to help you.
- Tea bags contain tannins, which have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. All you have to do is brew the tea, put the bag in the fridge for a while, and then apply it to the affected area.
- Clove decoction relieves toothache. You can use both dried clove flowers and clove oil. To relieve symptoms, it is recommended to put a clove on the sore spot and hold it there for a while.
Results
Wisdom teeth are considered problematic for a reason. They are difficult to reach during dental procedures, even a toothbrush cannot clean them properly.food debris and bacteria. With the advent of such a tooth, a person can have many problems even if it remains inside the gums. Removal of eights is almost always required before braces and in some other cases. Some decide to remove their wisdom teeth before pregnancy in order to avoid possible complications. But the removal of molars is a rather complicated and painful process, therefore, when asked whether it is worth removing a wisdom tooth before a vacation or without serious reasons, dentists recommend taking your time.
