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Video on extraction of wisdom teeth
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Mouse Model Explains Troubles Experienced With Human Wisdom Teeth FAQ - Wisdom teeth Source: Dental Health Directory
Question: I do not have impacted wisdom teeth.. (only the upper wisdom teeth are out - on the bottom I have none - evolution) My question is.. they aren't bothering me at all but during a progesterone surge, I tend to have headaches associated with my gums/teeth. Otherwise I am OK. I am having an issue with removal. Should I have them removed - when they aren't crooked, nor too bothersome? There are cavities on both of them currently. Is it easier or possible to cap or fill them in instead of removal? Answer: If your dentist sees no problems with your wisdom teeth i.e., no cavities or gum disease and they are not crowding your other teeth then I see no reason why you can't keep them. But, since you already have cavities in them and you have no lower teeth to oppose them to chew on or prevent them from over erupting in the future, it may be in your best interest to remove them for preventive reasons. Speak with your dentist and look at all the pros and cons and follow his/her advice. - Byron Scott, DMD
Question: I am having my wisdom teeth removed. Is there a way to check references? Is there a certification I need to make sure he has? What is my risk of losing feeling in my face? Answer: Mike, most oral surgeons (doctors listed under specialists in oral surgery) are qualified to remove your teeth. Also many general dentists are also more than competent to help. These are doctors who have taken continuing education seriously and work to improve their knowledge and skills far beyond the norm. Usually selecting a doctor of this caliber will not only assure you the best care for this particular procedure but will most likely be the kind of dentist you will want to continue to trust your care to for all your other needs.- Byron Scott, DMD
Question: I am supposed to go to an oral surgeon to get all 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled. I am scared to death of this procedure - what will they do? Also I do not want it done if I am not put to sleep for it. Do all doctors put you to sleep for this or will I have to search for one that will? I don't want to feel or hear anything that is happening. 6 years ago I had a molar pulled out and they put me to sleep. I would like that done. Also, I thought it would be helpfull to my question to tell you that none of my wisdom teeth are even cutting through the gums yet, but I guess they are growing the wrong way and one is rotted. ...Amanda Answer: Amanda, I can certainly understand your apprehension. I would feel the exact same way and so would 99.9% of other sane people. The extraction of 4 impacted (partially or totally covered by bone and/or gums) wisdom teeth is intensive surgery. One should no more consider having this done without appropriate sedative and anesthetic protocol than one would consider having ONE'S gall bladder removed or ONE'S finger amputated without this assistance. Many dentists and oral surgeons are available who can explain to you in detail what you will be facing with the surgery and can offer you safe and comfortable approaches to solve your problem. Be straight and honest with your doctor about your fears and ask for a sedation approach that will accomplish your treatment safely and painlessly that will eliminate your apprehension. - Byron Scott, DMD
Question: I have a wisdom tooth that has come in sideways toward my jaw. It is irritating my mouth to the point that I can't even open my mouth but it is so close to my jaw that I can't get any medication back there to it. ...Kendra Answer: Kendra, visit your family dentist as soon as possible and have him/her recommend (most likely an extraction) the correct treatment to solve your problem.- Byron Scott, DMD
Question:What exactly is a tuberosity? How can it be fixed? I had a tooth pulled about 6 months ago and after about 3 months I was told I had a tuberosity. I believe the dentist left something inside when he pulled the tooth like a piece of plaque as there is still considerable pain just like when the tooth was still there. ...Charena Answer: Charena, someone is either giving you incomplete or incorrect information. A tuberosity is the name given to the area of bony ridge that is around and usually behind the upper wisdom tooth. A tuberosity normally exists on each side and wisdom teeth are often impacted or buried in these areas. Possibly what you have been told is that a tooth still remains in one or both of these areas. Xrays and a good examination by a competent dentist can quickly reveal as to whether this is possible.- Byron Scott, DMD
Question:I have all four of my wisdom teeth. They are not impacted and are healthy. Over the past two years I have been having occasional headaches accompanied by pain and tension in my jaw. Could these headaches be caused by my wisdom teeth? ...Blake Answer:Blake, your dentist should evaluate the condition of your wisdom teeth. If there are no cavities, pericornitis (inflammation and/or infection of the gum around the teeth) or deep fillings...then there is no likelihood that they could be causing you to have headaches. Most likely, your headaches are caused by a compressed TMJoint, or possibly - parafunctional habits like clenching, grinding, poor posture, etc. If you have a history of crowding, orthodontic work, or any grinding you should be evaluated for TMJ. You must find a well trained dentist who is capable of evaluating the position of your joints and determining if there is any compression. If you give me more info about your oral status I can help you determine what is happening a little more clearly. - John Halmaghi, DDS, FAGD
Question: Right now in my late thirties, My teeth need major work. My wisdom tooth on my lower right side has finally protuded up and it is very painful because it is pushing against my molar. My molar is very bad. They couldn't extract my wisdom tooth before because it was too close to the nerve. Will they extract it now? Even with all the swelling? ...Rhonda in IL Answer:Rhonda, you're asking a question that only an oral surgeon, with proper X-Rays, can help you with. - John Halmaghi, DDS, FAGD
Question: After you have had your wisdom teeth removed and you have very puffy cheeks what are some things you can do to get the swelling to go down after two days? ...Darelle in OH Answer: Darelle, take antibiotics and a steroid. Have your dentist prescribe them. John Halmaghi, DDS, FAGD
Question: I am having my wisdom teeth pulled. I was wondering if it is a very painful process? Will I be able to return to normal activities soon? Will it bleed, and will it bruise or anything? ...Katy in KY Answer: Katy, your oral surgeon can answer those specific questions for you better than I can due to the fact that he/she can determine the extent of surgery involved. To make things easy you may want to use some Peridex mouthwash, take 4 Advils 1 hour before the procedure, and get the surgeon to prescribe some steroids to keep the swelling down. Antibiotics may also be advisable. Of course, some ice following the procedure is helpful along with bed rest - John Halmaghi, DDS, FAGD
Question: Tooth is broke off, flat to gum line. I have an appointment to get it pulled but that is over 2 weeks away The tooth doesn't hurt but my throat keeps feeling like I'm choking and its going to swell shut. Not sure if this is my tooth or my anxiety due to the tooth. Also, I am on ery-tab and ibprofin! ...Tiffany in MI Answer: Tiffany, you need to find some dentist or oral surgeon that can see you TODAY! You may also be experiencing a very unusual reaction to the erythromycin. I would recommend you take over the counter Benadryl right away (25 mg. every 8 hours) and see if the swelling goes down. - John Halmaghi, DDS, FAGD
Question: I am in serious pain and don't know what it is. I know that I have a tooth problem for sometime now because my filling came out. The back of my molar is real swollen. I am clueless as to what this is. It has never hurt like this before and I have like a lump of somekind on the inner part of my cheek near my gums. ...Christie in AZ Answer: Christie, I'm not sure what you you're expecting, but you should have seen a dentist a long time ago. I don't understand why you would delay treatment for so long and expect someone to help you with words. Your infection can get seriously worse and the cost of treatment will only escalate. You need to find a dentist or oral surgeon before you get deeper in the quick sand - John Halmaghi, DDS, FAGD
Question: I have gone to the dentist and he said there is a wisdom tooth pushing against my tooth which has a bad cavity which might need root canal. I have been on antibotic for a week and now I have a very bad swelling on one side of my face and inside my mouth. What can I do to get some kind of relief since no one is open to see me on the weekends. When I went to the hostial they would not give me anything to relieve the pain. My own dentist did not even call back to see if the other antibotic was even working. Now I can't eat or hardly talk, since I can't even open my mouth. What can I do to get RELIEF? ...Diane in MI Answer: Nobody but a local dentist can help you with this problem. Pick up the Yellow Pages and call around. You need help, it is up to you to find it. Stay on the antibiotics and put ice on your face - John Halmaghi, DDS, FAGD
Question: I had all four wisdom teeth removed when I was 17. I am now 20 and they are growing back in. My mother called the office where I had the original surgery and they refuse to see us because they say it is impossible for a second set to grow in. Is this just a case of misinformation? Because it's very obvious to me that it is possible for them to grow back in. ...Kay in TX Answer:Kay, no, but you could have what are called paramolars. They are an extra set of wisdom teeth that may have grown in back of the original wisdom teeth and made their way through after the originals were removed. It's not common but I have seen it before. I can't believe the oral surgeon would not see you. Go to a different one and have an x-ray taken to see what is happening. Fire any doctor who refuses to address your complaint - John Halmaghi, DDS, FAGD
Question: My top wisdom teeth are fine, and came through normally. But my bottom ones are now pushing to get through although I cant figure out where as there isn't any room left unless it actually changes the shape of my jaw. I can't open my mouth properly as it hurts, and my glands are up in my throat which is adding to the pain. Should I leave them for a bit in case they end up coming through fine? I really hate going to the dentist. ... Gus in OH Answer: Gus, you need to discuss your individual case with your dentist or oral surgeon. If there is a space problem you could end up with swelling, infection, and pain. Don't delay the necessary evils of life.- John Halmaghi, DDS, FAGD
Question: At 23 years old, my last wisdom tooth decides to come in. I look in the mirror and see quite a lot of it. I can open my mouth all the way without ANY type of discomfort, I can brush it lightly as the area is sore. My mouth does feel like things are rearranging themselves and my face hurts a little bit. This is all in about 10 days time. Any comments? Answer: Your situation is not unusual. As the tooth continues to erupt, these feelings should continue. It may not come much further in, and become a plaque trap, leading to decay and more discomfort. My recommendation is to have it removed while you are young and heal very well - Lance Timmerman, DMD
Question: I noticed my wisdom teeth are starting to come out and it hurts a lot and my jaw is killing me. The sides of my head hurt. Is this because of the teeth?? Joe in CA Answer: Joe, you should go see a dentist and request a pantographic x-ray because you think your wisdom teeth are coming in. You may need to have them out and the pain is often because of inflamed tissue in the area where the teeth are extruding into your mouth. Sometimes this pain can be from pressure into the other teeth from the erupting wisdom teeth. At any rate, you should get a jaw x-ray to see the position of these teeth and most likely, have them removed. A word of advice, have all 4 removed at once if you are going through this and use an ORAL SURGEON!!!!! I would also recommend sedation for this procedure. Best of luck. - Wayne Sutton, DDS
Question: I just got my wisdom tooth pulled three days ago. And my throat is very sore my lower jaw line is alittle swollen, and I can barely open my mouth to eat. Also I have a little pain in the area my tooth was pulled. I am getting a little freaked out about it. I haven't called to make an appoinment to get it checked out yet. So I could really use your advice about what you think could be going on. Thank you so very much....signed in pain Answer: It is very normal for a patient to be sore and swollen a few days after having a wisdom tooth removed. Assuming this was a surgical removal (sutures placed to close the skin), you could be sore from the actual removal or even sutures placed. The time to worry is if you get extremely swollen (lumps under your chin) or see active infection (puss)in the area. Also, if you feel feverish, this could mean you have an infeciton in the area and could need antibiotics. In the absence of these symptoms, I would advise you to take Motrin for the swelling and contact your oral surgeon if things worsen. Irrigation with warm salt water will help sooth the area also - Wayne Sutton, DDS
Question: My brother had his wisdom teeth extracted 1 1/2 months ago. He is 37 and is in general good health. A serious infection followed on one side of his face. After tests, it was treated as an anaerobic infection and the Dr. prescribed Flagyl. When the infection was gone, he was still unable to open his mouth. An MRI indicated that both of his jaws were dislocated. The Dr. did a procedure that manipulated the bottom jaw back into place. Initially, it was thought to work, but his jaw is once again unable to open to any more than insert a straw and sip. He is able to insert only about 3 or 4 popsicle sticks. The Dr. now thinks that perhaps the meniscus is no longer there and needs to be replaced through needles into both sides of the face. He can just barely open his mouth enough to take miniscule bites of food. Any information or insight you may have would be appreciated. Answer: I would avoid surgery at all cost. First, you need proper x-rays and MRI to find out where the disk is and how much damage has been done. Even with severe damage you can get back to normal if you are treated by a dentist who understands TMJ decompression strategies and functional orthodontics. You need some muscle relaxants (Flexeril 10 mg. twice a day) to get the jaws open enough for an impression, in order to make a Gelb appliance. The appliance will help to get the healing going. In the meantime, a chiropractor may be helpful. Get some tongue depressors, wrap 1,2, or 3 together (as many as you can to get them between your BACK teeth) and start using them like a wrench to slowly start opening the jaw by "jacking" the back teeth apart. You have to find a way to open up the molar teeth in order to get the disk back in. Find a TMJ expert in your area who can help. Also, use ice for 10 minutes, then the vice routine, then hot packs, then massage the facial muscles deeply, then repeat. I know you will get better - John Halmaghi, DDS, FAGD
Source: Dental Health Directory Library - FAQ Category - Wisdom teethWisdom teeth, also known as third molars are the last teeth to erupt. This occurs usually between the ages of 17 and 25. There remains a great deal of controversy regarding whether or not these teeth need to be removed. It is generally suggested that teeth that remain completely buried or un-erupted in a normal position are unlikely to cause harm. However, if these impacted teeth are in an abnormal position (a dentist can show you this on an x-ray), their potential for harm should be assessed. Click here for more information
Question: I recently had all my wisdom teeth removed. My surgon warned me that a nerve may be damaged during extraction. I called my surgon after a few days because I still had numbness in my lip, I asked for more information about this only to be set up with another appointment. I know that the numbness should go away within 3-6 months, but is there anything I can do to help the healing process, speed it up. Also, is there anything that I might be doing to hinder the process of healing?? Answer 1: Not much to do. If you are feeling itchy or tingly, that is a good sign. Seldom is the numbness permanent. Be patient and follow up with your surgeon. Answer 2: I agree with Dr. King's answer. There is nothing to do to make it go away faster, nor is there anything you can do to create further damage. Often in small framed women the numbness may resolve faster when the swelling decreases as the nerve to the lower jaw passes through one of the jaw muscles before it enters the bone, and swelling in this area can cause you to have a numb lip as well. Tingly itchy feeling is a good sign that it is resolving, but the next stage may be a period of sensitivity where cold things feel colder and hot things hotter on the effected side, and you may occasionally feel an "electric" tingliness which means the nerve is in its final stage of healing. Let the doc keep an eye on it with you. Good Luck Click here for more Questiona and answers
Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned. Often, however, problems develop that require their removal. When the jaw isn't large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they can become impacted (unable to come in or misaligned). Wisdom teeth may grow sideways, emerge only part way from the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Click here for more information
Banking Baby, Wisdom Teeth For Stem Cells NEW YORK, June 8, 2005—Baby and wisdom teeth, along with jawbone and periodontal ligament, are non-controversial sources of stem cells that could be "banked" for future health needs, according to a National Institutes of Health researcher who spoke today at the American Dental Association's national media conference. Click here for more information
More useful links
- Pulling Wisdom Teeth May Improve Gum Health
- Wisdom teeth: Answers to commonly asked questions
- Wisdom teeth removal - questions and answers
- For more questions and answers please click here - Dental Health Directory Library -FAQ Category
- Wisdom teeth removal - a fact sheet
- Complications related to wisdom teeth removal
- Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
WISDOM TEETH: IS IT WISE TO REMOVE THEM?
Common misunderstandings surround their name origin, removal reasons and pain sources
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to grow in the back of
the mouth. Common misunderstandings surround their name origin, removal reasons and
pain sources, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, an organization of
general dentists dedicated to continuing education.
"The name 'wisdom teeth' is age related - third molars don't erupt until teenage
years and beyond, when people theoretically are more wise to the world," says Trey
Petty, DDS, FAGD, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry.
Common reasons for wisdom teeth removal include impaction, pain and crowding of the
other teeth, which are typical tooth growth characteristics.
"If wisdom teeth are not visible, they are impacted or unable to erupt due to space
and size limitations," says Dr. Petty. "Impacted teeth don't have enough room to grow,
and will lay beneath the gums, which may or may not be a problem."
Pain and tooth crowding are also top wisdom teeth problems. "Adults have forgotten
what normal pain from a growing tooth feels like," says Dr. Petty. Complications also
can arise when wisdom teeth partially erupt. The broken gum acts as a breeding ground
for bacteria and germs.
"When wisdom teeth partially erupt, food gets caught in the gums and may cause an
infection, swelling, growth of a tumor or cyst and pain," says Dr. Petty. "If this
happens, consult a dentist before problems worsen and affect overall oral health."
"If wisdom teeth have erupted, the key to preserving them is maintaining good oral
health by brushing twice a day and going to see a dentist twice a year," says
Dr. Petty.
