- Patients that will undergo orthodontic treatment/ braces and removal of impacted molars are indicated.
- Embedded tooth with cystic lesions
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?
- Removal of probable tooth infection
- Avoidance of root resorption (reduction) and dental cavity on the adjacent tooth
- Prevention of dental diseases
- Orthodontic considerations
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES?
- Facial swelling
- Infection if not cleaned properly with oral rinse
- Bleeding
- Difficulty of opening of the jaw for the first 2 to 3 days
- Dry Socket or infection of the jaw
- Tooth fracture
- Temporary or Permanent paresthesia might occur (numbness of the jaw) because there is the possibility of touching or damaging the jaw nerve
WHAT TYPES OF TEETH WOULD NEED AN ODONTECTOMY?
Different types of embedded tooth are classified according to the degree of difficulty of removing the tooth. Impacted tooth most of the times it is embedded in the jaw and angulated making it more challenging to remove. Retained root fragments are sometimes also complicated to extract due to brittle tooth, large cavity and ankylosed tooth (tooth attached to the bone).
HOW IS THE PROCEDURE PERFORMED?
The area is anesthetized or made numb by applying topical and local anaesthesia, the dentist will make sure that the area is numb before starting the procedure. Pain should be eliminated but pressure should be expected, an incision on the gum is done to be able to expose the embedded tooth and most of the times removal of bone around and sectioning the tooth in half is anticipated for easy removal.
Suturing the opened area is necessary for closure of the opened site and speedy healing, after one week an appointment should be made for the removal of the sutures.
WHAT TO EXPECT FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURE
Facial swelling is related to the difficulty of removal of the offending tooth. Pain on the first 3 days should be anticipated.
POST-PROCEDURE MAINTENANCE
- Take the prescribed pain medications as soon as you begin to feel discomfort.
- Restrict vigorous activities the day of the surgery and resume normal activity when the patient begins to feel comfortable.
- Vigorous mouth rinsing and spitting should be avoided for 24hrs to allow formation of clot on the wound area for a speedy tissue formation.
- Ice pack should be placed over the surgical area, 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for the first 24 hrs.
- No smoking and drinking of alcoholic beverages for the first 24hrs.
** PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DENTIST FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROCEDURES, RISKS, COMPLICATIONS AND/OR ADVICE REGARDING YOUR CONDITION