Oral surgery for complex dental problems

Table of content

What is Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery includes surgical procedures used to treat problems affecting the teeth, gums, jawbone and surrounding oral tissues. These procedures may be recommended when –

  • Tooth cannot be saved
  • Wisdom tooth is impacted
  • Bone support is insufficient for an implant
  • Abnormal oral tissue needs to be examined or removed.

What is Wisdom teeth removal?

Wisdom tooth removal involves extracting third molars that are impacted, painful, infected or causing problems due to their position. The procedure is planned carefully based on the position of the tooth and its roots.

oral surgery

Process in Wisdom teeth removal?

Wisdom tooth removal is a commonly performed surgical procedure. The exact approach depends on the position of the tooth and whether it is impacted.

 1. Preparation and Numbing

  • X-ray Review to assess the tooth’s position, root shape and nearby structures.
  • Anaesthesia is administered to numb the treatment area. Sedation may also be used when planned as part of the procedure.
  • Sensation Check to make sure it is adequately numb before the procedure begins.

2. Accessing the Tooth

Gum Incision may be made to access  the wisdom tooth, if impacted beneath the gum.

Bone Clearance is done by removing a small amount of bone covering the tooth  to expose it.

 

3. Loosening the Tooth

Tooth Sectioning may be done to  divide a tightly positioned tooth into smaller sections to allow safer removal.

Gentle Loosening of the tooth from the surrounding tissues using special dental instruments.

 

4. Extraction and Cleaning

Removal of the tooth or its sections  from the socket.

Irrigation by cleaning the empty socket with sterile saline to remove debris.

 

5. Closure and Initial Healing

Dissovable stitches may be placed to close the gum tissue where required.

Gauze Pressure through a sterile gauze  is placed over the area to help in  controlling bleeding and support formation of the blood clot.

FAQ

How do I know if my wisdom tooth needs to be removed?

A wisdom tooth may need removal if it is causing repeated pain, infection, swelling, damage to nearby teeth or other oral problems. Your dentist can assess its position and condition to determine whether removal is necessary.

Yes. An impacted wisdom tooth may cause problems without immediate pain, including difficulty cleaning the area, damage to neighbouring teeth or infection around the tooth. Regular dental examinations can help identify these problems early.

Leaving a problematic wisdom tooth untreated may allow symptoms or complications to develop or worsen. The appropriate approach depends on the tooth’s position and whether it is causing or likely to cause problems.

Wisdom tooth removal is planned based on the tooth’s position and surrounding structures to minimise complications. Our dentist can assess the individual risks before the procedure.

Recovery varies depending on the position of the tooth and the complexity of the procedure. Our dentist will provide specific aftercare instructions and let you know what to expect during healing.

Wisdom tooth removal involves extracting third molars that are impacted, painful, infected or causing problems due to their position. The procedure is planned carefully based on the position of the tooth and its roots.

You can generally continue maintaining your oral hygiene after the procedure, but the surgical area should be treated gently. Follow the specific instructions given by the dentist to avoid disturbing the healing site.

Some bleeding or oozing can occur after extraction. Applying gentle pressure with the gauze provided by the dentist can help control it. If bleeding is heavy or does not settle, contact the dentist.

Some discomfort is expected after surgery, but severe or worsening pain should be assessed by the dentist. It may indicate a healing complication or another problem requiring attention.

Temporary stiffness or difficulty opening the mouth can occur after wisdom tooth surgery, particularly when the procedure is more complex. It generally improves as healing progresses.

If a wisdom tooth is close to an important nerve, your dentist will assess its position carefully using appropriate imaging and discuss the potential risks and treatment options with you.

Sometimes multiple wisdom teeth can be removed during the same appointment, but this depends on their position, your oral health and the complexity of the procedures. Our dentist will determine whether this is appropriate.

Some medicines can affect bleeding, healing or the choice of anaesthesia. Tell the dentist about all medicines and supplements you take before oral surgery so your treatment can be planned safely.

The need for treatment during pregnancy is assessed individually. Inform your dentist if you are pregnant so the timing, imaging, anaesthesia and medications can be planned appropriately.

If a stitch becomes loose or falls out, contact your dentist for advice, particularly if the wound opens, bleeding increases or you notice other concerning symptoms. Do not try to replace the stitch yourself.

The time needed varies according to the complexity of the procedure and your recovery. Some people return to routine activities relatively quickly, while more complex surgery may require additional rest.

Wisdom tooth removal does not usually cause a lasting change in speech. Temporary discomfort, swelling or difficulty opening the mouth may make speaking less comfortable during the early healing period.