What Are the Problems After Wisdom Teeth Are Removed?

Wisdom tooth extraction is a common surgical procedure. The wisdom teeth are a set of molars that start to appear in your teens or 20s. Sometimes these teeth grow in correctly and medical intervention is not needed. However, much of the time they grow in at odd angles and interfere with other teeth, causing pain and sometimes damage. There are many factors that determine the ease at which these teeth are removed and whether complications will follow surgery. Generally, the surgery is easier for younger people, because the tooth isn't completely developed and rooted in as strongly. Much of the time, recovery is short and easy. However, there are several complications that can occur as a result of the surgery.

Bleeding

• Bleeding is common during and after surgery and is likely to occur within the first 24 hours. Bleeding occurs because of the incisions that the surgeon must make to extract the teeth. Blood may be swallowed during the surgery and can cause an upset stomach and sometimes vomiting. The doctor will pack the gums with gauze following surgery and will instruct you on how to replace this gauze until the bleeding is under control.

Swelling

• Swelling will also probably occur following surgery and may increase in the first several days. It is important to maintain a routine of cold and warm compresses to minimize the swelling. Your doctor will recommend a routine for you that will help.

Dry Socket

• Dry socket can occur a few days after surgery. This is a complication in the healing of the wounds. It happens when a blood clot doesn't form or if it was dislodged somehow. Patients with dry socket may experience pain and foul breath. Your doctor should be immediately notified if you suspect dry socket, and she can treat it with proper medication.

Parethesia

• Another less common complication of wisdom tooth removal is called parethesia. Parethesia occurs when surgery results in damage or bruising of a nerve near the extracted tooth. This can cause paralysis or numbness in certain areas of the face like the lips, chin or tongue. It usually goes away after a few days or weeks, but in some cases it can be permanent.

Infection

• Occasionally the site of the surgery can become infected. This would be accompanied by great pain, swelling, a bad taste in the mouth and a fever.

Root Fragments

• Sometimes fragments of the roots are left in the jaw during surgery. This is because the root may be in close proximity to a nerve, and removing it could be more risky than leaving it in. Leaving the root tip in rarely causes infection, but it does occur sometimes. The left over root tip may lead to complications down the road and the need for it to be removed.