3 Signs You Might Need Wisdom Tooth Surgery Or Removal
Between your late teens to early twenties, there is the possibility you might need to go for wisdom tooth removal, extraction, or surgery. Not everyone will get wisdom teeth, and not everyone who does get them will need to remove them – but even people whose wisdom teeth do not pose any visible problem commonly choose to extract them just in case.
However, is it really always necessary to get wisdom teeth surgery? How do you know whether you should be seeking surgical options as a treatment?
Family Dental Centre (FDC) has a multi-specialty team of experienced dentists and surgeons who are able to resolve your wisdom teeth issues. Here are some common signs that could indicate problems with your wisdom teeth:
1. Your wisdom teeth are impacted
Wisdom teeth usually erupt when the rest of your teeth have already fallen into place and your jaw is almost fully developed. Because of this, there is often insufficient room for the tooth to emerge. This can cause your wisdom teeth to emerge horizontally and ‘hit’ the next molar – in other words, an impacted tooth.
Impacted teeth are one of the most common wisdom teeth conditions. Symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth include:
- Localised pain in the area (back of the mouth)
- Swollen, sore, or tender gums
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth (possibly due to infection)
- Stiffness in the mouth, neck, or jaw
- Pain in the mouth, neck or jaw
- Earaches, headaches, or pain in the sinus
If left untreated this could lead to infections or dental cysts as the weakened gum traps food or debris (pericontis). If left untreated, further complications could include repeated infection of nearby tissue, damage to nearby teeth, gum disease, or tooth decay.
Dental x-rays can identify if your wisdom teeth are impacted even before they emerge through your gum. Although they may not be causing you pain or discomfort at the moment, if your teeth are assessed to be impacted immediate wisdom teeth extraction is recommended to prevent future issues from arising.
2. Your wisdom teeth are not breaking through your gum
In some cases, your jaw might actually be too small for your wisdom teeth causing the teeth to remain stuck underneath the gums. Not only can this cause pain, discomfort, or swollen gums, but it could lead to dental cysts, infections, or damages to your teeth and bone in the long run.
3. Your wisdom teeth are only partially breaking through your gum
Another possibility is that some of your wisdom teeth will emerge, but some parts of it might remain under the gum. Similarly, this can lead to swollen and painful gums or even infections.
Is it necessary to undergo wisdom teeth surgery?
If your wisdom teeth did not cause any pain or discomfort when erupting – congratulations! Some people who do not experience any issues with any of their wisdom teeth may choose to not proceed with any extractions or removals at all.
Wisdom teeth surgery is only necessary if you are experiencing severe side effects from your wisdom teeth emerging. While wisdom teeth extraction is extremely common, there are still associated risks including:
- Fracture of the crown or root damage to soft tissue in the head/neck region
- Displacement of tooth/tooth root/tooth fragment
- Nerve damage
- Aspiration/ingestion of tooth/tooth fragment
- Excessive bleeding
- Post-operative pain or swelling
These are common risks for any type of dental surgery, and it is best to consult with a dental practitioner before pursuing elective dental surgery.
At FDC, our experienced dentists will perform a thorough examination – which might include X-rays – to identify how your wisdom teeth are growing, and will then recommend a suitable course of action. Wisdom teeth surgery may not be necessary, and your dentist may offer other options to help you manage the pain and discomfort during the wisdom teeth emergence process.
If you experience any pain near your wisdom teeth, it is advisable to get it checked by a dental practitioner as soon as possible. Our clinics in Singapore are open daily for your convenience, and our wisdom tooth removal surgery is Medisave-claimable.
