What is an Abscessed Wisdom Tooth?

The development of abscesses in wisdom teeth is a common complication that occurs when wisdom teeth do not erupt properly and/or are retained. An abscess is a type of infection that occurs inside a tooth when pus (the by-product of an infection) collects in its sensitive internal structure such as the pulp of the root canal. Beyond the pulp of the root canal, the roots of teeth as well as areas partially erupted and exposed to debris.

Dental health professionals recommend the removal of wisdom teeth to prevent the development of complications such as abscesses. Since the roots of wisdom teeth are longer than other teeth, removing them is more complication. Moreover, there are abundant nerve endings and blood vessels at the back of the mouth where wisdom teeth emerge.

Great caution must be taken to avoid traumatizing tissue adjacent to wisdom teeth during their removal. This is why the oral health community recommends that patients visit an oral surgeon for the removal of wisdom teeth. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a specialist with advanced training and education to perform an array of surgical procedures and oral health treatments.

What if my wisdom teeth do not give me trouble?

Sometimes wisdom teeth can be problematic without causing noticeable symptoms at first. The longer teeth are retained, the likelihood that problems related to wisdom teeth will arise. Even if your wisdom teeth do not present noticeable symptoms, the sooner you have them removed, the better.

Most people have their wisdom teeth removed before the age of 25. Wisdom teeth emerge between the ages of 17 and 25 and as time passes, the roots of these teeth become longer and well established in the jaw. This is why time is a factor that can make wisdom tooth extraction more complex.

Will I be comfortable during treatment?

During any surgical procedure, our team administers anesthetic and sedating medication in adherence with strict clinical protocols to ensure that our patients are comfortable and at ease. We utilize the latest techniques, instruments, and technology to make oral surgeries as minimally invasive as possible.

Call us today at Central Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates to reserve an appointment.