Wisdom Teeth Extraction Complications
Wisdom teeth can cause a lot of pain and problems if not dealt with properly. There are many types of complications related to wisdom teeth extraction. Such complications may become severe enough to require lengthy treatments, which can be cumbersome and even costly. Here are some possible complications.
- Adverse reactions to medicine. Different patients react to medication in a different manner. Some may experience side effects, which others may experience almost nothing at all. Common side effects include feeling nausea or dizziness. Sometimes, a patient may have an allergic reaction to a specific type of medication. This usually result in rashes or hives.
Do not take such reactions lightly. In severe cases, the body may react violently and this may result in fainting, seizures, or even heart attacks. - Swelling of the face and discoloration. After the surgical procedure, it is common for the affected area to swell. The color of the affected area will also be slightly different. Inflammation, which is triggered by the body’s defense mechanism, is quite commonly seen as well. Most patients experience a certain level of discomfort the first few days after the teeth extraction.
- Difficulty chewing or speaking. After the extraction, patients are usually advised to consume soft foods as they may have difficulty biting properly. They also can’t speak clearly due to the wounds. The stiffness of the cheeks around face area also affects the speech of the patient.
- Excessive bleeding. Usually, bleeding within the first couple of the days after extraction is considered normal. It is rare for patients to experience persistent bleeding.
- Maxillary sinus infection. As the roots of the wisdom teeth are very close to the maxillary sinus, bacteria may get in and infect the sinus. Patients with infected maxillary sinus may experience severe pain. Such infection is usually not responsive to antibiotics. Therefore, additional surgery to drain the sinus may be required.
- Damage to the nerve. The mouth is on the face, which is full of nerves (e.g. the lips, the chin, cheeks, etc). During the procedure, nerves may be damaged accidentally. The incidence rate, however, is quite low.
Although complications may arise and can be, at times, quite severe, they can usually be avoided. Here are some tips on how to avoid complications.
- Communicate well with you dentist on any drug allergy. Let your dentist know if you are allergy to any drugs or foods.
- Get involved with treatment planning. Try to understand how the treatment is going to be carried out, and then get involved in the planning process. If there is anything you are not comfortable with, let your dentist know.
- Monitor the wounds after extraction. If you experience anything that is out the the ordinary (for example, bleeding after 3 days), see your dentist as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
Visit Vancouver dentist Galia Anderson to learn more about wisdom teeth extraction.