SURGICAL SERVICES

The third molars (wisdom teeth) are the last teeth to emerge in the oral cavity. When they rise to a normal position and the gums that surround them are not inflamed, they do not need to be removed. Unfortunately, this rarely happens. Usually due to lack of space, the wisdom teeth do not rise properly. They may become oblique or rise slightly in the mouth (semi-enclosed) or remain trapped under the gums and jawbone (enclosed). Enclosed and semi-enclosed wisdom teeth often cause a painful infection called peristephanitis, which causes severe pain and difficulty chewing and often develops into an abscess. Enclosed wisdom teeth can cause serious problems such as cysts, and often cause problems in orthodontic treatment, as it prevents the smooth arrangement of adjacent teeth. For these reasons, surgical removal of enclosed or semi-enclosed teeth is indicated. Surgery to remove enclosed or semi-enclosed third molars is a routine operation for an orthodontist and in most cases is performed under local anesthesia. The operation usually takes less than an hour and detailed instructions and appropriate medication are given to avoid postoperative pain.