WISDOM TOOTH

Also known as the third molar.

THE BIGGEST MYTH - IS MY WISDOM TOOTH REALLY ASSOCIATED WITH MY WISDOM?

Haha, no. 

How can a tooth be associated with wisdom anyway? Maybe it is just called so because it is the last one to come mainly during puberty and by that time we are more wiser than what we were during our childhood days when other permanent teeth were coming.

WHAT IS A WISDOM TOOTH?

Wisdom tooth is also known as the third molar is one such tooth which erupts at the last usually around 17-24 years and need not necessarily erupt in all individuals. Also, it might erupt completely in some people and partially in some other individuals depending on the space available in the jaw region to accommodate a new tooth. They are four in number, one in each of the four quadrants.

WHY DO I NOT HAVE A WISDOM TOOTH BUT MY FRIEND HAS?

As I mentioned before that it is completely normal to not have a wisdom tooth or to have one, whatsoever might be the case. 

The possible reason could be :

1. Hereditary basis - usually if your parents have wisdom teeth in their mouth then you also probably have high chances to have them in your life and vice versa.

2.  Impacted wisdom tooth - these are those wisdom teeth which are present but haven’t yet erupted and are embedded in the jaw bone and hence we can't see them without an X-ray of that region.

3.  You probably have gotten it removed.

Therefore there is absolutely no problem if have no wisdom tooth because their presence doesn’t make a difference as such because nor do they help in enhancing aesthetics in any way and don’t even help in chewing food since that is the work of the other two molars.

IS THERE A NEED TO GET MY WISDOM TOOTH REMOVED?

Only when it is causing you to discomfort such as constant pain and swelling or due to some other reasons such as:

• There is food lodgement with that particular third molar.
• Third molar becoming carious

• Orthodontic treatment wherein removal of the third molar is a part of the treatment plan.
• Fracture line passing through that third molar.
• Isolated fracture of that third molar.
• When it is diagnosed that the third molar is putting undue pressure on the adjacent second molar.

• If some orthodontic surgery has to be performed in that region.

WHY CAN I SEE A SOFT, PINK COLOURED TISSUE OVER MY ERUPTING WISDOM TOOTH?

That is quite a common finding seen in partially erupted third molars. There usually exists a tiny space between the soft tissue over the tooth and the top surface of the tooth itself and this space serves as a house for millions of microbes and food debris which can lead to infection, pain, swelling and also bad breath in some cases because of the accumulated food debris. This condition is called pericoronitis.

Therefore it becomes really important to pay a visit to the dentist in such a situation. Usually, an oral surgeon can help you in this case. 

He will just remove this tissue and provide you with medications to eliminate the infection in addition to flushing that area with lots a water and mouthwash. And you’ll be just fine in a while.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT OF MY IMPACTED WISDOM TOOTH?

Now, in certain people, the third molar is completely impacted and therefore isn’t visible in the mouth and still causes discomfort so in such cases it is best to get them extracted.

The procedure involves :

• placing the incision in the gum region where the impacted tooth lies where the judgment is made on the basis of an X-ray. 

• After incising the gums, that region of the gums are reflected with certain special instruments 

• some amount of the overlying bone is removed depending on the position of the impacted tooth 

• finally once the impacted tooth can be accessed then that is divided into 2-3 pieces so that it can be removed in pieces more comfortably without the need to remove a lot of bone.

Postoperatively, expect some amount of pain and swelling in that region which can be minimised and provided relief to by applying ice packs in that region. The doctor will also provide you with antibiotics and painkillers.

That is all for today’s blog.

I hope you got all the answers to your questions related to the wisdom tooth.

For any queries or suggestions mail me at : muskan.3096@gmail.com