If you’ve ever felt discomfort or pain in your mouth due to wisdom teeth, you may be wondering if a dentist can help. Wisdom teeth are a natural part of the growth process for all humans, but they don’t always develop correctly and sometimes require removal.
While it is true that dentists generally don’t perform the surgery themselves, they may take part in helping you reach a decision about whether or not to get your wisdom teeth removed.
In this blog post, we will discuss what procedures and resources dentists have available to help assess potential complications from erupting wisdom teeth before removal, as well as review different treatment options that may be used for those with severe symptoms of impacted or infected wisdom teeth.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last set of adult teeth to appear in a person’s mouth. They usually come in during late adolescence or early adulthood. In some cases, wisdom teeth may not cause any problems and can be left alone. However, if they don’t fit properly into the jawbone, they can become impacted and cause pain, swelling, infection, and other issues.
What do they do in the mouth?
Wisdom teeth help the mouth by providing a space for the back molars to move further forward, giving them more room in the jawbone. They also act as a reserve when other molars become damaged or lost.
When should wisdom teeth be removed by a dentist?
A dentist can assess the potential problems that can be caused by wisdom teeth and recommend treatment. If a patient is experiencing discomfort or pain due to wisdom teeth, they may need to have them removed. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) recommends that patients visit an oral surgeon for a thorough evaluation and to discuss removal options. Here are the steps involved in this process:
- X-rays: During your initial appointment, your dentist or oral surgeon will take x-rays to get a better idea of what is going on with your wisdom teeth and how they are positioned in your jawbone.
- Assessment: Your dentist or oral surgeon will use the x-ray and other available information to determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed.
- Treatment: If removal is recommended, a plan for treatment will be developed. This may include surgery or antibiotics, depending on the severity of your condition.
What are the risks associated with having wisdom teeth removed by a dentist?
The risks associated with wisdom teeth removal depend on the individual and their unique situation. Generally, there are a few potential risks to consider before removing wisdom teeth:
Infection: Wisdom tooth removal can lead to infection if bacteria is able to enter the wound after surgery. To prevent this, your dentist or oral surgeon will prescribe antibiotics prior to the procedure.
- Nerve Damage: If the removal is especially difficult, there may be a risk of nerve damage due to the cutting or moving of nerves during surgery. To avoid this, your dentist or oral surgeon will take extra precautions to protect any surrounding nerves while performing the procedure.
- Pain and Swelling: You may experience swelling and pain in the area after wisdom teeth removal. Your dentist or oral surgeon can give you advice on how to manage these symptoms with medications and other methods.
- Numbness: After surgery, it is possible that a patient may experience numbness in their mouth or lips due to nerve damage caused during the procedure. This can usually be managed by taking pain relief medications or resting for a few days.
Benefits associated with having wisdom teeth removed:
The benefits of having wisdom teeth removed by a dentist include:
- Pain relief
- Improved oral health
- The ability to eat and speak normally.
Pain relief is the main benefit because impacted or misaligned wisdom teeth can cause discomfort and pain when they come in. Removal of these teeth can help alleviate this problem. Additionally, removing wisdom teeth can lead to improved oral health, as they can develop infections or cause other problems in the mouth. Finally, having wisdom teeth removed by a dentist helps to ensure that the patient can eat and speak normally because their mouth isn’t restricted by large misaligned teeth.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it’s important for individuals to discuss any potential problems related to wisdom teeth with their dentist. If the teeth are causing pain or discomfort, having them removed by a dentist is often an effective way to alleviate these issues and improve oral health. Taking preventive steps to ensure proper alignment and development of wisdom teeth can help prevent future problems with them in the long run. It’s best to consult your dentist for any questions you may have about removing wisdom teeth and the associated risks.
