The thought of wisdom teeth removal may be scary, but the process is common and typically quick. Cleveland Clinic oral surgeons will make sure you are comfortable and anesthesia is administered to ensure you don’t feel any pain during the extraction.

Swelling and pain after the surgery will peak 2-3 days in, and can be minimized by applying ice packs and taking pain medication as directed.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Because they are so far back in your mouth, wisdom teeth often don’t come in correctly. They may become trapped in your jawbone or gums, or come in at an angle and push against neighboring teeth. This is called impaction.

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause problems like:

Your dentist takes X-rays to see how your wisdom teeth are coming in and may recommend surgery if they’re causing issues. With local anesthesia, the dentist or oral surgeon cuts through your gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone. Then they remove the tooth or bones, and sometimes divide a wisdom tooth into sections to make it easier to take out in pieces. After the procedure, they stitch up the wound and suggest eating soft foods that won’t disturb a blood clot or stitches.

Tooth Crowding

Tooth crowding occurs when your teeth have insufficient space in your jaws, causing them to become crooked and misaligned. It can also result from the loss of baby teeth too early or permanent teeth coming in larger than expected (hyperdontia).

While the eruption of wisdom teeth can contribute to tooth crowding, it’s not always the primary cause. Crowded teeth are most often caused by genetics, small jaws, and losing baby teeth too soon.

Fortunately, most types of tooth crowding can be repaired. Orthodontic treatments like braces, clear aligners, and veneers can fix the problem. If left untreated, crowded teeth can lead to tooth decay, bite problems, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), and more. Getting the treatment you need sooner rather than later will help avoid serious consequences.

Infection

An impacted wisdom tooth can lead to infection, which is often painful and dangerous. Painkillers and antibiotics can help control mild symptoms, but surgery is usually needed to remove the infected tooth (endodontic removal).

The dentist or oral surgeon numbs the area with an injection. You may also receive sedation medicines, which make you sleepy but breathe on your own, or general anesthesia to ensure that you are fully asleep during the procedure.

The dentist or oral surgeon cuts gum tissue and may remove some bone to expose the tooth and root. The tooth may be divided into sections if it is easier to remove in pieces. The dentist or oral surgeon then cleans the site and stitches it closed. Keep the wound covered with gauze to control bleeding and help a blood clot form.

Gum Disease

Gum disease causes inflammation that can cause your gum tissue to become red, swollen and bleed easily. If left untreated it can progress to a more serious condition called periodontitis. This is when the bone anchoring your teeth in your jaw becomes destroyed and your teeth may become loose.

Bacteria that collects on the teeth as a sticky film is called plaque. Plaque eventually hardens into a substance called tartar or calculus. Your immune system attacks the bacteria causing an inflammatory response in your gums and tissues. If this inflammation is allowed to continue, it can lead to loss of the bone and connective tissue that holds your teeth in place, which is irreversible.

Regular oral care with daily brushing and flossing can help prevent gum disease. Treatment can also include antibiotic mouth rinses or gels that reduce or get rid of the bacteria and other medications, such as doxycycline or minocycline, that can control infection and suppress destruction of your tooth’s attachment to your gums and bones.

Cysts

Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop next to or around a tooth. They can be painful, and if they get bigger the tissue surrounding the tooth may break. Cysts are often caused by a twisted tooth position or an infection.

A cyst consists of a fibrous connective tissue wall with a central hollow space. The inner portion is lined with nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The fluid contained inside the cyst is usually transparent and contains varying amounts of protein.

Typically picked up by a dental examination which includes X-rays and a 3D CBCT scan (which shows the jawbone and teeth in great detail). Before dental cyst removal the dentist does a scale and polish and gives you an oral probiotic to increase your healthy bacteria levels which will assist with healing.