The biggest risk with impacted tooth extraction: Nerve damage from numbness
According to Prof. Dr Şeref Ezirganlı said, “The absence or failure of the teeth in the mouth where they should be is defined as ‘implanted’, but this does not mean that all impacted teeth must be extracted.”
Expressing that many factors can be effective in the impact of teeth, maxillofacial surgeon and implantology specialist Prof. Dr. Şeref Ezirganlı made a statement about impacted teeth saying, “Generally, the teeth remain embedded in the bone due to the lack of room.”
“DIRECT TEETH CAN REMAIN FOR YEARS WITHOUT PROBLEMS”
Emphasizing that the third molars, which are usually referred to as wisdom teeth, remain impacted, Prof. Dr. Ezirganlı said: “Because these are the last teeth in the mouth, they usually cannot find the place where they should erupt, and although it is rare other teeth are also affected. Damaged teeth can last for years without causing any problems. Impacted teeth can sometimes cause serious problems. Particularly, partially erupted lower wisdom teeth cause inflammation from time to time and patients turn to dentists with various problems like bad breath, development of tooth decay and pain. Teeth in this situation should be extracted by a maxillofacial surgeon.
“Nerve Damage Can Fall Down”
According to prof. Dr. Ezirganlı said: “These pathologies should not only be considered for wisdom teeth, they can occur in all impacted teeth. However, this does not mean that all impacted teeth should be extracted. After all, every operation has certain risks. The greatest risk with surgical extraction of impacted teeth, especially in the lower jaw, is numbness in the lower lip and tongue due to nerve damage. This numbness can sometimes be permanent. While impacted wisdom teeth in the upper jaw usually don’t cause a problem, they are more likely to cause problems in the lower jaw. Sometimes we can leave the roots of the tooth to avoid the risk of numbness in the lower jaw. We can cut off the top part, which we call the crown. Of course we do this for extraction of non-carious impacted teeth, which we consider too risky or where the patient cannot afford the risk of low numbness. If there are pathologies such as tooth decay or cyst, tumor, the risk of numbness is ignored. The entire tooth must be removed. Cysts or tumors should not be left behind,” he said.
“THEY MUST BE DONE BEFORE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOOTH ROOT IS COMPLETE”
Expressing that extraction of impacted teeth is not always necessary, Prof. Dr. Ezirganlı said: “If it is not taken, we recommend an X-ray once a year. If the impacted tooth causes pain or infection, is accompanied by formations such as a cyst, tumor, or if it is considered appropriate to be removed by an orthodontist, even if there is no problem, it is appropriate to have the impacted tooth removed by a maxillofacial surgeon. Sometimes it can be withdrawn at the request of the patient. In such cases, the most appropriate period is to do it at a young age before the development of the tooth root is completed. This is important to minimize the risks that may arise.”