Wisdom teeth are the third molars that emerge last in the mouth, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. While these teeth can erupt without issues for some individuals depending on genetic factors, jaw structure, and oral health, they often cause significant problems for many. Situations such as insufficient space in the mouth, improper alignment, or impaction may necessitate the extraction of wisdom teeth. Alanya Dental Clinic, under the expertise of Dentist Duygu Gürleyen, offers professional and painless wisdom tooth extraction services.
What Are Wisdom Teeth and Why Do They Cause Problems?
Wisdom teeth are the teeth that emerge at the very back of the jaw and typically start to appear after the other molars. However, the modern human jaw often lacks sufficient space for these teeth to emerge properly, leading to impaction or misalignment. The following common issues may require wisdom tooth extraction:
- Lack of Space: In most people, the jawbones do not provide enough room for wisdom teeth to emerge. This can cause teeth to become crowded and disrupt the alignment of other teeth.
- Impacted Teeth: Wisdom teeth may fail to fully emerge, becoming trapped in the gum or jawbone. Impacted teeth can cause pain, infection, and damage to surrounding teeth.
- Improper Positioning: Teeth that emerge at an angle or are misaligned can harm the gums or adjacent teeth.
- Infection: The soft tissues in the area where the tooth attempts to emerge may become infected, leading to severe pain, swelling, and bad breath.
- Tooth Decay and Gum Disease: Wisdom teeth, being in a hard-to-reach area, are challenging to clean, increasing the risk of cavities and gum inflammation.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction Process
1. Initial Examination and X-Ray Analysis:
Dentist Duygu Gürleyen conducts a detailed examination of the patient’s oral structure to assess the condition of the wisdom teeth. Digital X-rays are used to determine the teeth’s position and their impact on surrounding tissues. During this stage, the impaction of the tooth, extraction difficulty, and pressure on adjacent teeth are analyzed.
2. Treatment Planning:
A treatment plan is created based on the patient’s dental structure and the condition of the tooth. If the tooth has fully erupted and does not harm surrounding tissues, a simple extraction method may be applied. However, surgical intervention may be necessary for impacted or problematic teeth.
3. Extraction Procedure:
- Local Anesthesia: Before the procedure, the area around the tooth is numbed with local anesthesia, ensuring the patient feels no pain.
- Simple Extraction: Non-impacted wisdom teeth are typically removed quickly and easily.
- Surgical Extraction: For impacted teeth, the gum or jawbone may need to be opened. The tooth is then sectioned and carefully removed. This procedure is performed in a sterile environment and may require stitches.
4. Post-Procedure Care:
After the extraction, a gauze pad is applied to control bleeding. Dentist Duygu Gürleyen provides detailed instructions for the recovery process.
Post-Procedure Instructions
- Avoid hot food and drinks for the first 24 hours.
- Do not touch the extraction site with your tongue or fingers.
- Use prescribed painkillers and antibiotics as directed by your dentist.
- Avoid hard and sharp foods; opt for soft and cold foods instead.
- Apply a cold compress during the first 24 hours to reduce swelling.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking as they can negatively affect the healing process.
- Attend regular check-ups to monitor the healing process.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Alanya
Alanya Dental provides expert wisdom tooth extraction services with modern technological equipment and a sterile working environment. Dentist Duygu Gürleyen ensures a comfortable experience during the procedure and carefully monitors the post-operative recovery process. By adopting an individualized approach for each patient, the extraction is carried out in the safest and most painless manner possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no pain during the extraction process because local anesthesia is applied. There may be slight tenderness after the procedure, but this usually goes away within a few days.
In some cases, swelling may occur after the extraction. This can be controlled by applying a cold compress.
If the teeth have grown properly and are not causing any problems, extraction may not be necessary. However, impacted or problematic teeth are usually extracted.
Recovery usually occurs within 1 week. However, this period may be longer in surgical extractions.