Extracting a Broken Wisdom Tooth
Wisdom teeth often emerge in early adulthood and can cause pain and other dental issues if they become impacted or only partially erupt. Extracting an erupted wisdom tooth is a common procedure, but when the tooth breaks, removal becomes more complicated. Understanding the tooth anatomy, causes of breakage, surgical extraction details, recovery process, and potential post-op complications can help prepare for this procedure.
Tooth Anatomy and Function
As a dentist performing wisdom teeth removal in Toronto explains, wisdom teeth, or third molars, are located at the very back of the jaw and are the last teeth to erupt. Their purpose is to replace lost chewing capacity, but with modern soft foods, they often lack enough space and become impacted. Wisdom teeth have multiple hooked cusps for grinding food and roots for stability. When wisdom teeth only partially emerge, the crown may break due to decay or trauma.
Causes of Breakage
Partially impacted wisdom teeth have an elevated risk of decay and infection since it is difficult to clean around them thoroughly. The protective enamel coating can weaken over time, making the tooth more prone to chipping or breaking. Biting down on hard foods or trauma from playing contact sports may also cause a vulnerable wisdom tooth to fracture. If decay reaches the pulp inside, infection and abscesses can further destroy the tooth integrity.
Surgical Extraction Details
Extracting a broken wisdom tooth requires oral surgery for access and removal of all tooth fragments. The oral surgeon will numb the area with a local anesthetic injection to keep the procedure comfortable. Then, they make an incision and window in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone. Using surgical tools like elevators, forceps, drills, or burs, they carefully separate the tooth from the bone and socket. Stubborn tooth roots may require segmentation into smaller pieces first.
Recovery After Surgery
Bleeding should resolve quickly once all tooth fragments and debris are extracted from the socket, which then starts natural healing. The surgeon closes the gum opening with stitches that resorb over time. Swelling, pain, and bruising are common post-operative symptoms managed with prescription medications. Ice packs also help reduce inflammation. Initial recovery takes about one week, avoiding hard foods and disruptive activity. Full healing takes several months as the bone regenerates inside the empty socket.
Potential Post-Op Complications
With any oral surgery, patients should watch for signs of complications like worsening pain, prolonged bleeding, infection, or damage to nearby teeth or nerves. A dry socket occurs when the blood clot is dislodged from the socket, exposing nerves and bone. A dry socket causes a throbbing pain that requires additional care. Other risks include bone fragments left behind accidentally, which may work themselves out slowly or require additional surgery. In rare cases, nerve damage during extraction can cause temporary or permanent numbness.
Because of the hidden structure of the teeth and potential complications including decay or infection, extracting fractured wisdom teeth is more challenging than regular extractions. To guarantee adequate healing following tooth extraction surgery, oral surgeons meticulously eliminate any remaining tooth fragments and debris. Even though recovering for a week can be painful, patients are eventually able to resume their regular activities as their pain and swelling progressively subside. It is possible to be ready for surgery and receive post-operative care if one is aware of the related operation and any complications.