POSSIBLE WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL COMPLICATIONS

Wisdom teeth removal (at West Mobile Dental Care) surgery is an extremely common procedure and usually goes well without any complications. However, it is possible for complications to develop following surgery. Up to one third of patients report complications as a result of their wisdom tooth removal. Understanding the possible outcomes can help patients know what to expect and prevent complications. Five of the most common complications associated with wisdom teeth removal include dry sockets, pain or swelling, trismus, excessive bleeding and lip numbness.

Dry Sockets

Following the removal of a tooth, a blood clot forms over the extraction site. This occurs as part of the normal healing process. It is possible for alveolar osteitis or “dry sockets” to form when the blood clot is dislodged. Dry sockets are more common in patients who smoker and are also more likely to occur in the lower jaw than the upper. Signs of a dry socket include an intense, throbbing pain and bad odor or taste in the mouth. Once the dry socket is diagnosed, the dentist will clean any debris and cover it with a medicated gauze.

Pain and Swelling

Pain and swelling are to be expected following the extraction of any tooth. The amount of pain varies drastically for each patient. In a recent study, men reported experiencing less pain compared to women. While pain can be subjective, the study stated that 53% of patients had mild pain and 47% had severe pain one day after surgery. Fortunately, only 15% experienced severe pain one week after surgery. The amount of pain and swelling a patient experiences may be associated with how long the surgery takes. Your dentist may also recommend taking over-the-counter pain medications, following a soft food diet and avoiding strenuous physical activity to help expedite the healing process.

Trismus

Following prolonged dental procedures such as a tooth extraction, patients can experience trismus. Trismus is also known as the limited ability to open the mouth. This condition is especially common for patients who have an impacted wisdom tooth. Your dentist will work to identify the underlying cause of the issue and can help guide you on the use of heat therapy, pain medications, muscle relaxants and jaw opening devices to help treat the issue.

Excessive Bleeding

Approximately 30% of patients experience excessive bleeding the day after wisdom tooth extraction surgery. The amount of bleeding depends on the location and position of the tooth being removed. To help lower the chances of bleeding after surgery, patients should avoid smoking, rinsing the mouth, spitting and strenuous activity immediately following surgery.

Lip Numbness

The wisdom teeth are close to the inferior alveolar nerve which runs throughout the jaw. If the nerve is damaged in any way during an extraction, it can result in lip numbness. The chances of this occurring is extremely low. This complication often resolves itself after a few months. Your dentist or oral surgeon will minimize the chance of any nerve damage during the extraction and will inform you any risks you have before surgery.

The American Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery conducted a study and found that the risk for complications from wisdom teeth removal was highly dependent on the patient’s age, gender, overall health, medications, oral hygiene, smoking habits and the location of the wisdom tooth.

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