Wisdom Teeth Removal Complications

For most patients, wisdom tooth extraction is inevitable. Not many people have enough room in their mouth to allow for proper eruption of the wisdom teeth. So to avoid overcrowding or other dental issues, they must be removed.

Wisdom tooth extraction is an extremely common procedure and typically goes along without a hitch though as with any surgery, complications can arise. Up to 30% of patients may experience complications and it is best to be prepared and discuss them with your doctor so that you can do all you can to avoid them.

Here are the most common issues that can arise:

Dry socket

Dry socket can develop if the blood clot or stitches become dislodged. Only 3% of patients develop dry socket. The condition tends to be more common among smokers who do not refrain from smoking for the recommended timeframe during recovery. Using a drinking straw can also lead to dry socket as can spitting. When rinsing and cleaning your extraction sites, it is important not to spit out the water but instead to lean over the sink and simply let the water spill from your mouth. If you do develop dry socket, your doctor can help by flushing the area clean of any debris that may be trapped and then covering it with a medicated dressing that you will need to changed often as it heals.

Pain and swelling

Pain and swelling for a few days after surgery can be expected though each person experiences a different level of pain. Studies show that up to 53% of patients had mild pain while 47% had severe pain, with 15% of patients experiencing severe pain a week after surgery. Your individual pain experience will be related to how long your surgery took and how involved your extractions were. Over-the-counter pain medications are often all that is required to manage the pain and sticking to a soft, bland diet will help alleviate some of the pain. It is also important to avoid strenuous physical activities while you heal.

Limited mouth opening

Patients whose wisdom teeth were impacted are more likely to experience trouble with opening their mouth after extraction. If you experience this, your dentist will help determine the underlying cause and advise the use of a heating pad, muscle relaxers, and other pain medications as needed.

Excessive bleeding

Studies show that about 30% to 31% of patients experience excessive bleeding during the first day of wisdom tooth extraction surgery. You can minimize your chances of bleeding after surgery by avoiding smoking, strenuous activities, and rinsing your mouth for one day after surgery.

Lip numbness

There is a nerve running through the jaw, the inferior alveolar nerve, that the wisdom teeth develop very close to. If the nerve becomes damaged during extraction you may experience some lip numbness. Of the small percentage of patients that experience lip numbness, 96% recovered within two months.

The risk for complications after wisdom teeth removal depends on your gender, age, overall health as well as the medications you are on and your oral hygiene and smoking habits. Your Oral Surgeon will discuss the risks beforehand to help inform you of your personal risks and alleviate any concerns.

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