Wisdom Tooth Removal.

When wisdom teeth grow into the mouth properly and do not cause pain and discomfort, then wisdom teeth extraction may just be a cosmetic elective procedure that needs to be done and is not necessarily a dental emergency, although it may be a good idea to have the wisdom teeth removed to ensure the other teeth don’t move.

Wisdom teeth are the teeth located at the back of the mouth. They are also known as “back molars”, as they are the last set of teeth to erupt during the late teens and/or early twenties.

However, if the wisdom teeth fail to erupt fully, then they are said to be “impacted”. This usually happens when they stop erupting or grow sideways and then unable to erupt further, eventually causing impaction. This is sorted out via a same-day tooth extraction and is usually an emergency.

How Do I Know My Wisdom Tooth Has Erupted?

You might be wondering you’d know if you would be needing emergency wisdom tooth removal due to impaction? Below are a few of the most common signs and symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth.

Inflammation: it is one of the commonest symptoms of a partially impacted wisdom tooth and causes discomfort near the tooth. Now because the tooth has not fully erupted, food and bacteria can often get trapped between your wisdom tooth and your gum line, resulting in discomfort in your back teeth. This is called “pericoronitis.”

Oral Infections: Partially impacted wisdom teeth can cause oral infections if left untreated. This causes serious pain and discomfort at your back teeth, sensitivity when chewing or biting, jaw pain, swelling, or stiffness. When this becomes severe, you may experience a fever, serious issues moving your jaw, or bleeding from around your wisdom tooth.

If any of the above signs and symptoms are noticed, you need an emergency wisdom tooth removal done as fast as you can.

Reasons To Have A Wisdom Tooth Removal?

IMPACTED WISDOM TOOTH: Wisdom teeth push other teeth out of their way or get stuck underneath the gums when impacted and hence need to be removed.

FRACTURED TOOTH UNDER GUMS: When teeth don’t fit perfectly together and you bite down when taking a meal, the force from chewing could eventually crack your lower molars. If the tooth is fractured beneath the gum line, you’d need to have a broken teeth extraction done as soon as possible.

SEVERE TOOTH DECAY: Tooth decay is caused by untreated dental plaque and tartar buildup and could damage the tooth so badly that you can only get relief by getting an extraction.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE: Once gingivitis or gum inflammation progresses into periodontitis, the process is irreversible and cannot be treated via tooth cleanings, except only by a removal.

What Do I Expect During An Emergency Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Oral surgeons and dentists perform tooth extractions.

Before pulling the tooth, you will be given an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed, and in some instances, your dentist may decide to use a strong general anesthetic so to prevent pain throughout your body and make you sleep through the procedure.

If the tooth is impacted, the dentist will cut away gum and bone tissue that cover the tooth and then, using forceps, grasp the tooth and gently rock it back and forth to loosen it from the jaw bone and ligaments that hold it in place. Once the tooth has been pulled, a blood clot usually forms in the socket. The dentist will pack a gauze pad into the socket and have you bite down on it to help stop the bleeding. If this happens, your dentist will likely place a sedative dressing over the socket for a few days to protect it as a new clot form.

How Much Does An Emergency Tooth Extraction Cost?

The cost to remove impacted teeth is quite higher than simple, elective tooth extraction and could get you to part with anywhere between $800 and $4,000. This is usually also because it is a same-day appointment and has to be done quickly.