DEFINITION:

Wisdom teeth are the third molars and the last ones in the series of teeth. If they tend to erupt at the age of 16 to 24 years old. They can be very useful for chewing well aligned. However, in most cases, they do not come out completely, staying impacted in the jaw. In those cases, they should be extracted.

Recovery of wisdom teeth extractions, during the first 24 hours can include:

•Prolonged bleeding. The bleeding should stop shortly after the extraction, thought some blood might appear up to 48 hours after the procedure. The bleeding can be controlled by placing cotton gauze in the extraction area and by closing the mouth to create a pressure. A wet tea bag, helping the formation of blood clot, can also replace the cotton. Spitting and rinsing should be avoided for the first 24 hours to avoid causing a dry socket.

•Pain. The pain can last a few days; therefore pain killers recommended or prescribed by the dentist can be taken.

•Swelling. In cases of complicated extractions, there could be swelling of the face and even change of colour of the skin.

The diet during that time should only consist of soft, lukewarm foods. Hot and alcoholic drinks should be avoided. Also, brushing the teeth should be continued but the extraction site should be avoided.

The recovery after 24 hours can imply continuous swelling. To remedy to the swelling, after applying the ice for the first 24 hours, heat should be applied by using a hot and wet towel. The maximum swelling is reached after four days and decreases slowly after.

It is recommended to rinse with warm water and salt, starting 24 hours after the procedure. Rinsing is recommended after each meal and before bedtime.

The recovery after 24 hours can imply continuous swelling. To remedy to the swelling, after applying the ice for the first 24 hours, heat should be applied by using a hot and wet towel. The maximum swelling is reached after four days and decreases slowly after.

Usually, an appointment with the dentist is required a week following the extraction of the wisdom teeth, to verify the recovery and remove the stitches. However, if the stitches are absorbable, they tend to fall out on their own after a few days.

It is important to refrain from smoking during the 48 hours following a tooth extraction to avoid severe complications.

The complete recovery takes about three months, tough, after one or two weeks, gums will heal enough to be able to comfortably use the mouth in the extraction area.

Possible further complications can include:

•Dry socket. A dry socket, a temporary condition, can appear when the clot formed on the bone cavity is dislodged or forms very slowly. It is characterized by intense pain, a bad taste in the mouth, and sometimes difficulty opening the mouth. Smoking should be avoided. It can lasts a few days and can be relieved by the placement of a dressing soaked in eugenol in the dental office.

•Paresthesia. During the extraction of a tooth, the nerve is very rarely touched. If it is the case, it can cause a loss of sensitivity, affecting the tongue or the bottom teeth. The loss of sensitivity is rare, and is generally temporary, though exceptionally could be permanent.

APPLICATIONS:

There are several situations where dentists advise to extract wisdom teeth, usually following an infection, or to avoid future complications. Such situations include:

•Jaws that are not wide enough to allow the wisdom teeth to erupt in an alignment that is useful for chewing.

•Wisdom teeth partially erupted, allowing bacteria to penetrate around a tooth and cause an infection, cavities and gum disease.

•Misalignment of the wisdom teeth, squishing or damaging the second molars. Maintaining a good oral hygiene becomes difficult in this area, making these teeth more vulnerable to cavities and gum disease.

•Risk reduction of cysts formation that can appear around an impacted tooth.

•Pericoronitis, a condition that has signs of redness, intense pain, a bad smell and a difficulty of opening the mouth, is caused irritation of the operculum, an extension of gum created by the incomplete growth of a wisdom tooth. Therefore, if the operculum does not disappear, it is recommended to extract the wisdom tooth to prevent complications of the pericoronitis. Only under certain conditions, an operculectomy (i.e. removal of the extension of the gum without extracting the tooth) is possible.

The best time to extract wisdom teeth is at the end of adolescence, since the roots may not be completely formed, making the treatment less complicated.

SOURCES:     Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (www.wikipedia.org).

                            WebMD, better information, better health (www.webmd.com).