2 Common Types Of Wisdom Tooth Surgeries And What They Entail

Posted on: 18 August 2022

Unlike most teeth, extracting wisdom teeth is a bit more complex due to their location in the mouth. Wisdom teeth are the four molars located at the back of each jaw. Due to their position, removing them is a surgical procedure. 

However, there are different types of surgical procedures used to remove wisdom teeth. The surgical procedure used in any case depends on the development of the wisdom tooth. For instance, the methodology used to remove a developed wisdom tooth is not the same procedure used to extract a partially developed wisdom tooth. 

Here are two types of wisdom tooth surgeries and what they entail.

1. Non-impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Non-impacted wisdom tooth extraction applies to the removal of well-developed wisdom teeth. A well-developed wisdom tooth is one whose crown has protruded above the gums. 

Some of the common reasons why you might need to remove a fully developed wisdom tooth include:

  • The tooth irritates your sinus
  • The developed wisdom tooth has led to overcrowding of teeth
  • The wisdom tooth has suffered severe damage due to impact or decay 

During a non-impacted wisdom tooth extraction, a periodontal surgeon first applies anesthesia via injection. Or, the dentists may provide a patient with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to sedate them during the procedure.

Once the patient falls asleep, the surgeon can either pull out the wisdom tooth as a whole or segment it into several parts for easy removal. In most cases, a fully developed wisdom tooth is easier to extract as a whole. But, if the surgeon can't clasp the tooth appropriately, they will opt to segment it and remove it in parts. 

2. Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction

This type of wisdom tooth extract applies when a wisdom tooth has not fully erupted above the gums. As a result, impacted wisdom tooth extraction applies to wisdom teeth that are still encased inside the gums. 

Common reasons why you might need to remove a wisdom tooth that has not fully developed include:

  • There is no more room left for the wisdom tooth to develop
  • The wisdom tooth is causing severe pain to your gums 
  • The wisdom tooth is pushing against the adjacent teeth and initiating a misalignment

During the extraction procedure, a periodontal surgeon will first apply a local anesthetic to numb the gums area. An anesthesiologist will also use a sedative such as nitrous oxide to make you unconscious during the procedure. 

Once the sedative takes effect, the surgeon will surgically make an opening in your gums to access the undeveloped wisdom tooth. Afterward, they will carefully remove the tooth and its root from your jawbone. 

The surgeon then cleans the cavity left behind by the tooth extraction to prevent the development of an infection. After cleaning the cavity, they fill it with gauze and stitch up the gum opening.

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