Your dentist has advised you to have wisdom teeth removed. You are feeling nervous. This article will tell you everything you need to know about surgery and how to speed up recovery so that you feel prepared to go.
At the end of this article, you will know:
- Ask your dentist these questions
- What to expect during the procedure
- What to Expect in Pain
- How to prevent a dry socket
Wisdom teeth removal is necessary?
Because our jaws aren’t large enough for wisdom teeth to fit in, there isn’t enough room. Because there isn’t enough space for wisdom teeth to properly erupt, they tend to come in at an angle, or don’t fully emerge. This causes problems for other parts of the mouth.
The wisdom teeth are often damaged by third molars, also known as the wisdom teeth. To avoid more complicated surgery, dentists recommend that wisdom teeth be removed before they become a problem.
Why Don’t We Have Room for Wisdom Teeth?
Our jaws are now smaller than ever. This is not due to evolution. It’s because modern diets lack key nutrients that allow jaw development properly.
Vitamin K2, a vitamin that helps the jaw develop, is responsible for taking calcium from the body and putting into the bones. Vitamin K2 is not available to most people because they don’t eat the same foods as Vitamin K2: liver, organ meats, and animal products that are grass-fed. Vitamin K2 has been virtually eliminated from our diets by factory farming and the low-fat food craze in the 1990s.
It is now common to have the lower third of your face underdeveloped. Small tribes and our ancestors, who did not eat the modern diet, had great jaw development. This allowed for all 32 of their teeth to be straightened.
How do you determine if your jaw has developed fully? It all depends on how you were raised. Proper jaw development is stimulated by eating crunchy, raw foods high in nutrients such as organ meats and grass-fed fats.
Today, children eat a lot of soft, nutrient-poor foods such as applesauce and Goldfish crackers in their childhood meals. Proper jaw development can also be affected by sippy cups and bottlefeeding. Due to a lack of proper use, our diets have become too soft. Our jaws don’t develop fully because they aren’t getting enough exercise.
Do I Need to Have Mys Removed?
Take a look at your bottom teeth with a mirror. First, count the number of large teeth at the back side of your mouth. These are known as molars. Two molars should be visible by the age of 12. Wisdom teeth are your third molars.
You can check if there is enough room for your wisdom tooth by placing your finger behind the second molar. You may have enough space if you feel that the tissue is flat. If the tissue curves upwards, it’s likely that you don’t have enough room for your wisdom tooth.
This is just a rough estimate and your dentist will need to measure the space. This is a quick and dirty test that will give you an idea of what your dentist will do to measure the space.
What should you ask at the consultation:
- Are all my wisdom teeth to be extracted?
- What are my options when it comes to anesthesia?
- What complications can you expect to encounter during the procedure? What would be the worst scenario?
- How does my case compare to the cases you have handled?
- What are the potential risks associated with this type of surgery?
- My face will get puffy. What will the time take for my appearance to return to normal?
- What happens if my wisdom teeth aren’t in place?
What happens if I don’t have them removed?
Wisdom teeth are removed to avoid damage to other healthy teeth. Wisdom teeth often erupt in a perpendicular fashion to the second molars next door. Wisdom teeth that are inserted sideways can cause problems with your bite, cause food to get caught and even lead to painful infections. It’s possible to have complications or issues later on if you don’t go ahead with the surgery.
What if your wisdom teeth do not erupt? There is a 25% chance of the epithelial tissue around the wisdom tooth becoming cancerous if it does not erupt. This was something I discovered in my mom when I was in dental school. It was removed successfully, but it was quite a complex procedure. This is why wisdom teeth should be extracted earlier in life.
If you are born without wisdom teeth, you can skip this article. This should not be confused with those who have wisdom teeth still in their bones that haven’t erupted yet. A small percentage of the population was not born with wisdom teeth, and they never need surgery.
When is the best time to have wisdom teeth removed?
Before the root has been fully formed.
It is more difficult to extract roots if they are fully developed than if only the crowns (molars), have been formed. The root of the tooth grows from the crown to the crown. This makes it easier and takes less time.
Imagine a tennis ball or a skateboard buried in sand. Which is easier to remove? You will need to dig out the skateboard, but you can roll out the tennis ball to see why it is better to perform the surgery before the roots get in.
How long can I wait to get them removed?
You need to ask yourself if things will get worse if they wait. Wisdom teeth removal becomes more difficult if the wisdom teeth are impacted. Your dentist and you need to determine if waiting could lead to a more complex surgery.
Can you get it done too soon? There’s always the chance that you might have enough room for your teeth to come in if you waited to see how they erupt.
To be able predict the availability of space for your wisdom tooth, you must trust and rely upon your surgeon. This is a skill that takes some practice.
What is the Wisdom Teeth Recovery Time?
It takes about one week. Sometimes, it can take up to four days for a simple surgery. However, this is usually only for cases that are straightforward and do not involve any complications.
The following factors will affect the recovery time:
- Choose the type of anesthesia that you prefer.
If you only have local anesthesia or Nitrous, you will be able bounce back much faster than if your body is under. - Your nutrition during recovery.
People who eat a diet of Jell O and ice cream are more likely to recover than those who eat a pure Jell O and icecream diet. - Preventing dry sockets.
Many people wait several weeks to recover from surgery. They don’t follow proper protocol, such as using a straw or not elevating their heads, and they don’t brush their teeth enough. You can find my tips on how to speed up your wisdom tooth recovery , and how you can prevent a dry socket .
What to Expect in the First Twelve Months after Surgery
- The wisdom teeth are absent, which support the cheeks, muscles, and face, causing a thinning of the skin. It’s caused by the loss of bone, which resorbs over time. The muscular forces can undergo a physical reprogramming over many years. This can create facial changes. Although all of these things can happen at different times, it is amazing how immediately visible the changes are.
- Cold sensitivity in your second molars to cold drinks and ice cream. The sensitivity will disappear as your teeth recalcify, but it could take several months. Use Sensodyne, a fluoride toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
- There may be little folds at the gumline. These are caused by bone remodeling and flattening as part of the healing process. This process can take up to one year.
- It’s not unusual to feel a flake of bone sticking out up to five to ten years later. This is your body rejecting small pieces of bone that was left from surgery. You can see your dentist if you feel this way.
- Sometimes, you may feel a little bit of pain in your bones. This could be caused by bone remodeling.
- TMD pain may occur when your jaw clicks, opens, or you have trouble keeping your mouth open. The oral surgeon may have your mouth opened too much or too short. Follow these TMD treatment guidelines to ice and rest your jaw.
Who Should Do a Wisdom Teeth Removal?
The specialists have seen it all and will not be surprised if something unexpected happens during your surgery. There are many general dentists that perform wisdom tooth removals every day and they are highly skilled. Make sure to see an oral surgeon or dentist who performs this type of surgery regularly. If wisdom teeth surgery is not performed by an expert, it can lead to high complications.
How to Prepare For Wisdom Teeth Surgery
Wisdom teeth removal can be done outpatient, so you are able to return home the same day. These are questions you should ask your dentist or oral surgeon before the procedure.
- Would you be willing to perform a bone graft procedure?
A bone graft is recommended for those over 25. The adult wisdom teeth are removed because the one next to them has the same level of bone as it used to. However, the shrinkage occurs when the next tooth is taken out. The bone shrinks and makes the next-door tooth sensitive to sugar, cold drinks, and other substances for months. This is prevented by bone grafts. This is not something that people below 25 years of age need, but it’s worth asking! - Can someone drive me home?
It will vary depending on the type and amount of anesthesia you received. You should plan to have someone drive you home in most cases. - Do I need to fast before my surgery? When should I fast before the surgery?
To maintain blood sugar levels, local anesthesia requires that you eat a light meal a few hours before your procedure. It’s better to not eat a large meal before any type of anesthesia, such as nitrous. - Is it possible to take my prescription medication before the procedure?
- Is there any non-prescription medication that I should avoid prior to the procedure?
What Type of Anesthesia Will You Get?
Your anesthesia options range from the mildest to the most intense.
- Local Anesthesia. During the procedure, you will feel some pressure, but not pain. Local anesthesia is administered by injecting near each tooth to be removed. Local anesthesia is the best for a quick recovery.
- Sedation. Your consciousness will be suppressed and you will not feel pain. You also won’t have any memory of the procedure. To numb each tooth, you’ll also receive local anesthesia (see below). An IV administers anesthesia.
- General Anesthesia. You are completely out. There will be no pain or memory of the procedure. To numb the area of the extraction, local anesthesia can still be administered (see above). This is usually only for more complex situations.
- Local anesthesia and nitrous oxide. I also like a combination of local and nitrous oxide. While IV sedation is the most common treatment for anxiety, nitrous is more effective and less expensive. However, IV sedation can take up to several days to wear off. Talk to your dentist if you are particularly anxious. Even the most introverted people can feel happy and bubbly with Nitrous. It wears off quickly.
Because children are more sensitive than adults to anesthesia, This is true whether a teenager or an adult has wisdom teeth removed. However, it should be mentioned whenever I discuss sedation.
What Anesthesia Should I Select?
Discuss your options with your dentist or surgeon. These are the pros and cons I discuss with my patients when they make a decision.
IV Sedation
Pros:
- You won’t be able to remember anything.
- A complete cold will make it easier for your dentist to perform surgery, especially in a complex case.
Cons:
- Because they have a long half life, recovery can take longer. This means that it may take a while for your system to get rid of them. The IV sedation remains in half of your body 48 hours later. This is why you feel so tired.
- You can’t use IV sedation if you don’t have someone to pick you up from the surgery. IVs are more expensive and not covered by dental insurance.
- In the USA, IV sedation can cause death, especially when it is not administered properly. This is more difficult to perform and requires more training. If you decide to use this option, ensure you are working with an experienced and current oral surgeon in your local area. Most states require continual two-year certification.
It’s possible to have IV sedation without any pain!
Local and Nitrous Oxide
Pros:
- There is a chance that IV can cause permanent damage to your jaw or overextension of your jaw. You can talk to your dentist if you are awake about how open your jaw can be. This will prevent TMJ pain (which is quite common after these procedures).
Cons:
- Nitrous can cause nausea in some people, but it usually goes away. You will feel the local anesthesia injection but the nitrous may help.
- There will be some pressure, but no pain.
- You will be alert and hear sounds.