Beyond Extractions: When Complex Wisdom Teeth Require Surgical Expertise

Having your wisdom teeth removed is a common dental procedure we perform at Cannon Oral Surgery. But for residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee, with more complex wisdom teeth needs, we also offer complex surgical removal. 

No matter how basic or advanced your dental health needs are, we have a solution to suit every patient. If you’ve been told your wisdom teeth require surgical removal, we invite you to come in and sit down with a member of our team to discuss your options. 

So let’s explore what makes some wisdom teeth extractions more complicated than others, and how you can get the care you need to reach and maintain optimal dental health. 

Gum disease can complicate wisdom tooth removal

When your gum tissue becomes infected, swelling is often one of the first symptoms. Once gum disease advances, that inflammation can complicate dental treatments, including wisdom teeth removal. 

If your gums are so swollen that they extend over a partially erupted wisdom tooth, removing the tooth becomes a bit more complicated. Not only will Dr. Cannon need to remove the impacted wisdom tooth, but he must also take care to avoid causing further damage to the inflamed gum tissue. 

Treating advanced gum disease is often part of the process. This is especially true if you’ve developed an abscess, which is a pus-filled pocket in the gum tissue near the wisdom tooth. 

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause resorption in the adjacent molar

When a wisdom tooth is trapped either partially or fully beneath the gumline, it can place pressure on the adjacent molar. Over time, this ongoing pressure can cause the protective layers of the roots of that molar (the cementum and dentin) to dissolve. This loss of tissue weakens the tooth and can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. 

Very often, patients are completely unaware that this gradual process is taking place. There are a few symptoms until the tooth loss has advanced to a stage where the nerve is affected. 

Removing the encroaching wisdom tooth is critical to restore a healthy bite. But an adjacent tooth that has experienced significant resorption also needs treatment. A root canal can sometimes save the damaged tooth, but extraction is needed in certain cases. 

Broken or fractured teeth require special care 

If your wisdom tooth is broken or fractured, removing it is more complicated than taking out an intact tooth. Dr. Cannon must carefully remove all tooth fragments and clean the area to reduce the risk of infection. 

It isn’t always possible to plan for these types of complex extractions. Sometimes a wisdom tooth is intact at the start of the procedure, but it must be broken down into smaller pieces for safe removal. In these cases, extra care must be taken to ensure that no tooth fragments remain embedded in the gum tissue. 

Proximity to nerves and sinuses can complicate wisdom tooth extraction

When a wisdom tooth is very close to a nerve, removing it requires specialized expertise. A variety of techniques help Dr. Cannon remove the impacted tooth without damaging the nerve tissue.

Upper wisdom teeth are sometimes located very close to the sinus cavities. This can also lead to complications if the sinuses are damaged during extraction. Here again, working with a dental specialist with expertise in complex wisdom teeth extraction is critical to avoid adverse outcomes. 

Bone density can also make wisdom tooth removal more difficult

Wisdom teeth are anchored within your jawbone, just like the rest of your teeth. This strong connection enables many people to retain their natural teeth throughout their lives.

But in some cases, the jawbone is denser than usual, which can make it difficult to extract a wisdom tooth. Bone density can increase with age, and people who grind their teeth often have denser bone than those who don’t have this habit. 

The limited room at the back of the jaw makes it difficult to maneuver in this area, and when you’re dealing with dense bone, extraction can take more time than usual or require specialized skills. 

We have experience in complex wisdom tooth extraction

When you entrust your oral surgery needs to the team at Cannon Oral Surgery, you can rest assured that you’ll receive the highest standard of care from a dental specialist with advanced skills and training. 

If your dentist advised you that your wisdom tooth removal might be a complex procedure, we are here to help. Just reach out to our office online or by phone to schedule a visit, and we’ll sit down with you to explain the treatment process and timeline.