SURGICAL TOOTH AND THIRD MOLAR EXTRACTION
Surgical tooth extraction is a procedure used to remove impacted, broken, or difficult-to-extract teeth, including third molars (wisdom teeth). It is typically performed by an oral surgeon or dentist using local or general anesthesia.
1. When Is Surgical Extraction Needed?
✅ Impacted wisdom teeth – Stuck under gums or jawbone
✅ Severely decayed or broken teeth – Cannot be restored
✅ Teeth causing overcrowding – Before orthodontic treatment
✅ Infected teeth (abscessed) – When root canal is not an option
✅ Fractured roots – Tooth root is broken below the gum line
✅ Extra teeth (supernumerary teeth) – Blocking other teeth
2. Wisdom Teeth (Third Molar) Extraction
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that usually erupt between ages 17–25. If they don’t have enough space to grow properly, they can become impacted and cause pain, infection, or crowding.
Types of Wisdom Teeth Impaction
🔹 Soft Tissue Impaction – Trapped under gums
🔹 Partial Bony Impaction – Partially emerged, but stuck in jawbone
🔹 Complete Bony Impaction – Fully trapped in the jawbone, requires surgery
3. The Surgical Extraction Procedure
1️⃣ Pre-Surgery Preparation
✔ Dental X-ray or 3D scan to evaluate tooth position
✔ Discuss anesthesia options (local, sedation, or general anesthesia)
✔ Fasting (if under sedation or general anesthesia)
2️⃣ Extraction Process
1️⃣ Anesthesia Administration – To ensure a painless procedure
2️⃣ Incision (if needed) – Gum tissue is cut to expose the tooth
3️⃣ Bone Removal – If the tooth is impacted in the jawbone
4️⃣ Tooth Sectioning – The tooth may be broken into smaller pieces for easier removal
5️⃣ Extraction – Tooth is carefully removed
6️⃣ Stitches (if needed) – To close the gum tissue
7️⃣ Gauze Placement – To control bleeding
⏳ Duration: 30 – 60 minutes per tooth
4. Recovery & Aftercare
🔹 Healing Time: 7–14 days (full recovery in 3–4 weeks)
🔹 Common Side Effects: Swelling, mild bleeding, bruising, and discomfort
✅ Do's (After Surgery)
✔ Bite on gauze for 30–60 minutes to stop bleeding
✔ Apply ice packs for the first 24 hours (to reduce swelling)
✔ Eat soft foods (mashed potatoes, yogurt, soup) for a few days
✔ Rinse gently with saltwater after 24 hours
✔ Take prescribed medications (painkillers & antibiotics if needed)
🚫 Don’ts (Avoid These)
❌ No smoking or drinking through a straw (prevents dry socket)
❌ No spitting or vigorous rinsing for 24 hours
❌ Avoid hard, crunchy, or spicy foods
❌ No intense physical activity for 3–5 days
5. Possible Complications
⚠ Dry Socket – When the blood clot dislodges, exposing bone (causes severe pain)
⚠ Infection – Signs include fever, swelling, pus, or bad taste in the mouth
⚠ Nerve Damage (rare) – Can cause numbness in lips or tongue
⚠ Excessive Bleeding – If it persists beyond 24 hours, contact your dentist
