Complications That May Arise With Wisdom Tooth Removal

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Wisdom teeth are the third molars that grow in human adults, typically in the late teens or early twenties. The extraction of wisdom teeth is one of the most common types of surgery in general anaesthesia.?The removal of wisdom tooth may not seem as a big surgery. However, if it isn’t performed correctly by a reliable dentist in Port Melbourne, it can lead to many complication.

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Complications that may arise with wisdom tooth removal can be classified into three categories; local (healing), non-local (systemic illness) and anaesthesia complications.

Local Complications include problems like:?

  1. Dry Socket– Occurs when the blood clot is lost from the surgical site before healing is complete, leaving a painful exposed area on the jawbone.?
  2. Trismus– Difficulty in opening one’s mouth after surgery due to pain and swelling.?
  3. Temporomandibular Joint Injury– Injuries to the temporomandibular joint that connects your jawbone to your skull can occur during surgery.
  4. Periostitis – Infection of the membrane covering the bone may cause swelling and pain around the surgical site.?
  5. Nerve Injury– Damage to nerves in or around the jawbone can also occur during Wisdoms tooth removal.?
  6. Sinus Exposure– The maxillary sinus can be exposed when the surgeon cannot remove all teeth in one piece; this can lead to infection and pain if not treated properly.
  7. Facial Nerve Injury– A facial nerve injury is a possible complication from surgery around the jaw area because it is near the surgical site. Even a small amount of trauma can damage the nerve, which can sometimes heal itself if given time and no infection. However, paralysis can result if the facial nerve is compressed by swelling around its sheath for too long (Facial Nerve Paralysis).

Non-Local Complications include:?

  • Systemic Illness– Less common complications include a reaction to the anaesthetics drugs used during surgery, which can cause a few different symptoms, including heart problems, low blood pressure and shaking fits.

Anaesthesia Complications include:?

  1. Bronchospasm– Difficulty breathing?
  2. Allergic Reaction– Anaphylactic shock, which may cause low blood pressure and difficulty breathing?
  3. Pneumothorax– Rupture of the membranes around the lungs?
  4. Lip, Tongue, Or Jaw Fracture– These fractures may lead to severe bleeding?
  5. Difficult Airway – Difficulty in breathing during or after the surgery

Here are some practical ways to avoid complications with wisdom tooth removal:

  • Tooth Removal Before Complication– Removing the tooth while it is still healthy and strong can prevent some complications from occurring.?
  • Regular Dental Hygiene– Proper dental hygiene, including brushing and flossing, helps prevent gum disease that could lead to complications during wisdom teeth removal surgery.
  • Antibiotics Before Surgery– Taking antibiotics before surgery can help reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth, which may help prevent infection.

Prognosis

The prognosis for wisdom teeth removal complications are based on several factors, including the severity of the difficulty, whether or not it goes away on its own and your age. Minor complications can be treated with antibiotics or pain killers, depending on the severity of the problem. In severe cases, the surgeon may have to open up the surgical site and clean it out. In some cases, if a significant infection is caught early enough or if the problem goes away on its own with time, no other treatment may be necessary. However, more essential issues like nerve damage or sinus exposure can cause permanent changes in how you speak, eat and even the way your face looks. If this is the case, corrective surgery may be required to get back to normal function.

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