3rd Molar Extraction Procedure, Technique, Complications, Recovery

3rd Molar is a teeth present on both sides of mouth. It is one of the three molars, present on the most posterior side of three molars. 3rd molar is also known as wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth grows at the age of 17 till 25. One wisdom tooth is present per quadrant of the human dentition. Most of the people have all four wisdom teeth. In rare cases, people do not have even a single wisdom tooth. During development of wisdom teeth, it can effect other teeth as well becoming impacted. So it is extracted before it occurs.


3rd Molar Extraction Procedure


Wisdom tooth extraction procedure is performed as an outpatient. Patient does not have any need to stay in hospital and can return home the same day. Before starting procedure, patient is asked for his comfort level in case of anesthesia used. Three types of anesthesia are offered I.e. general anesthesia, local anesthesia and sedation anesthesia. During surgery, dentist make a small incision on the gum to expose the bone and teeth. 1st step is the removal of bone which blocks the tooth. If dentist find it easy to extract it in pieces, then it is divided into halves for extraction. Tooth is removed and then the debris is removed. Stitches the wound and a guaze is applied.

3rd Molar Extraction Procedure, Technique, Complications, Recovery

3rd Molar Extraction Technique


The surgical technique of 3rd molar extraction is divided in to several phases. These phases are,

  • Anesthesia.
  • Access flap.
  • Bone resection.
  • Odontotomy.
  • Suture.

All the above mentioned phases are designed to avoid some complications like ,

  • Anesthesia helps to avoid damage of facial nerve and parotid gland. 
  • Access flap and bone resection and odontotomy helps to avoid damage of periodontium of 2nd molar and lingual nerve. 
  • Suture helps to avoid infections in the periodontal 2nd molars after surgery. 


3rd Molar Extraction Complications


3rd molar extraction shows complications but these complications are for not longer term but are for short time period. Some of the main complications associated with 3rd molar or wisdom tooth extraction are, Nearby teeth, jaw bone, nerves or sinuses may get damage due to incision.
After surgery, infection may occur in wound due to the bacteria or the food particles trapped in teeth. Dry socket may be painful and bone may be exposed in case if the blood clot is lost from the site of surgical wound which is also called socket.

3rd Molar Extraction Recovery


3rd molar or wisdom tooth extraction is the procedure with less complications. And the complications which occur, persist for very short time. So the recovery is fast. The gum tissues usually take 3 to 4 weeks for full recovery. And the inner wound which occurs due to bone extraction, will take about 6 weeks to recover fully. Recovery time varies from person to person and depends upon care plan. If any kind of infection occur in the surgical wound i.e socket, then the recovery time extends. In case of infection, antibiotics are prescribed to make it heal soon.
3rd Molar Extraction Procedure, Technique, Complications, Recovery 3rd Molar Extraction Procedure, Technique, Complications, Recovery Reviewed by Simon Albert on January 01, 2020 Rating: 5
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